Last rules infringement you let slide.

[TheTrueReview]

I think the R & A/USGA statement is not as clear as first thought.

My interpretation is that it prohibits the use of a device that has a present capability of doing something non-conforming; eg. gauging or measuring other conditions that might affect play (e.g., wind speed, gradient, temperature). By that I mean the phone has apps installed at that time (therefore, a capability) that can perform the non-conforming functions (irrespective of whether they can be turned off), the phone must not be used during play. Contrast that to a situation of a smart phone which, has the ability to download apps which would make it non-conforming, but those apps have are not installed at the time of play. IMO the latter situation would be fine.

Given that golf is a largely self regulated game, I can see sense in the "it doesn't matter if you can turn them off" position.

[markTHEblake]

You can use a smartphone as much as you like, but use it to measure distance (legally) and it's a DQ due to the other features of the phone.

There are several commentaries online that discuss this section of the announcement in detail and they dont agree.
The phone itself does not have the capability of measuring gradient, wind direction etc.
See article here: http://gps.about.com/od/gpsproductov...-gps-rules.htm

here is the section from the R&A/USGA

3. Multi-functional devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, etc (i.e., devices that are primarily communication devices, but which may have other potential uses) may be used as follows:
· The device may be used for any non-golfing purpose (e.g., as a communication tool to phone, text or email), subject to any club/course regulations and the rules on accessing advice-related matters – see Decision 14-3/16.
· When the local rule is in effect, a distance-measuring application may be used, provided the specific application is restricted to “distance only” and the device does not have any other “non-conforming” features. This is the case even if these other features are not being used. As above, the rules on advice-related communications (including the use of the internet) still apply.

[LarryLong]

I can't really understand why they would bother banning devices capable of measuring wind speed, temperature or gradient if they allow something that tells you how far you are from the hole.

[WBennett]

The NSWLGA has banned distance measuring devices from mobile phones.

I asked for a clarification off our golf manager 3 months ago and they still don't know what the answer is.

[Dotty]

The NSWLGA has banned distance measuring devices from mobile phones.

I asked for a clarification off our golf manager 3 months ago and they still don't know what the answer is.

Didn't the NSWLGA disappear last year, with the merger of men's and women's amateur golf bodies?


Or do you mean the NSW Local Government Association, that only governs the golf rules for public servants?

[WBennett]

Dotty - maybe. I was going off the words of the local Rules Nazi who informed me it was in their tournament rules at Christmas...

[Moe Norman]

There are several commentaries online that discuss this section of the announcement in detail and they dont agree.
The phone itself does not have the capability of measuring gradient, wind direction etc.
See article here: http://gps.about.com/od/gpsproductov...-gps-rules.htm

here is the section from the R&A/USGA

you just proved yourself wrong with your own quote.

When the local rule is in effect, a distance-measuring application may be used, provided the specific application is restricted to “distance only” and the device does not have any other “non-conforming” features.

[markTHEblake]

It comes down to defining what are the non conforming features on a smart phone?
A web browser or internet access that could be used to lookup weather reports or wind speed etc, is not non-conforming.

Did you read the article I posted, the guy from the USGA does not agree with you.

[henno]

Define "capability"? If you disable wi-fi/3g does that disable capability? If not, what about older phones that have GPRS/WAP capabilities but do not have the service enabled by the operator? What about ipods in that case? They have the "capability" to be teathered to a portable wifi access point in your other pocket. Let's see how deep the rabbit hole goes, Alice.

[markTHEblake]

capability does not make a smart phone device non-confirming.

eg. A mobile phone that can make calls. If you call your mum to tell her you will be late for dinner. No penalty.
If you call your swing coach for tips, thats a penalty.

Thus, GPRS/WAP feature is not non-confirming. An Application that's specific purpose is to measure wind speed or gradient will be, and as far as i know there is no such application.

[henno]

That answers my next question entirely (and was the expected response). So in that case, iPhones are fine: they have the capability to facilitate a rules breach, but as long as you are not using them to do so there should not be an issue.

[WBennett]

As my smartphone does not have an inbuilt compass, is then legal?

[Johnny Canuck]

That isn't the case Henwah.

Rangefinders that have the capability to measure slope cannot be used, even if the function is turned off.

[Ferrins]

So I can't tape a smart phone to my driver?

[Yossarian]

Adlo and I allowed someone to tee of in front of the markers.

[rubin]

Adlo and I allowed someone to tee of in front of the markers.

wouldn't you pull them up for it before they hit the ball?

[henno]

That isn't the case Henwah.

Rangefinders that have the capability to measure slope cannot be used, even if the function is turned off.

So then Blakey's wrong; capability alone dictates whether or not the device is illegal.

I don't like the grey area here. Like I initially said, who determines "capability".

[WBennett]

So then Blakey's wrong;

That has NEVER happened before!

[markTHEblake]

I don't like the grey area here. Like I initially said, who determines "capability".

The article i quoted explains.

Does the iphone have a specific feature to measure slope?

[AndyP]

So by henno's example of tethering for an iPod, I'm DQ'd for using it during a round even though I don't use it for distance measurement?

[markTHEblake]

That depends whether it has a non conforming feature or not.

[MegaWatty]

The article i quoted explains.

Does the iphone have a specific feature to measure slope?

It can measure gradients but you'd need to download a specific app. It does have a compass though which I've read is not legal as it can be used to work out the direction of the wind.

[WBennett]

Exactly - you can use a compass, an inbuilt feature of an iphone that can't be turned off.

Luckily my Android does not have a compass inbuilt or as an app!

[AndyP]

Blakey, the fact that it has the capability to have the feature seems to be the issue, not the feature itself.

I'm using my iPod regardless, because I'm following the vibe of the rules.

[markTHEblake]

It does have a compass though which I've read is not legal as it can be used to work out the direction of the wind.

Yes thats right, a compass is specifically listed as a device that you cant use.

Exactly - you can use a compass, an inbuilt feature of an iphone that can't be turned off.

In that case the Iphone is non-conforming to be used as a DMD, and that would be the only reason. The blanket statement that any device is nonconforming because it is a smartphone is wrong.

Blakey, the fact that it has the capability to have the feature seems to be the issue, not the feature itself.

If you don't have non-conforming applications on your iphone/pda/smartphone then it is ok to use, even if it does have the hardware to support such applications.