Interesting. So if you have a rangefinder that gives you the slope/angle or distance up or down from your current position this would be against this goofy new rule?

I used to do it that way too...it's just so much easier with the apps....even before I used GolfShot for the GPS I was using the free version to keep score and track my stats.....guess I will go back to the old days and do it with a pencil.

That's not new, you already can't use slope modesl in tournaments.

This rule has been around for a while.

New rules for Distance Measuring Devices (DMD). *** TAKE NOTE ***
 

I have searched here but not found this in any other threads so am creating a new one.

Well guys n gals the USGA and R&A have altered(updated) the rules regarding DMDs.

Basically these electronic devices have been legal for competition play where a local rule has allowed their use, providing they ONLY measured distance and nothing else. Fair enough I hear you all say, and I fully agree that they should be limited to distance info only.

Well, many on here, including myself, have APPs on a smart-phone such as GOLFSHOT or SKYDROID that only measure distance. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news folks but these are now totally illegal for competition use, and even if you play in a friendly game with your mates, if they want to be difficult they could insist on you not using it even for the 'friendly' game.

They have banned the use of smart-phone/PDA devices that have GPS APPs on the basis that eventhough most of these APPs only give distance info, the phone also has access to weather info via 3G etc and may also have other APPs that provide other golf related info to help with choice of club/shot. Even if your phone contains any such APPs and you disable them, it will still be classed as illegal equipment.

Yes, the outright ban of these smart-phone systems is a bit of a sledge hammer to crack a nut rule, but logically I can see that they didn't really have much option. I have read a few comments on the net regarding the weather info that could be used to aid the golfer. Any weather info willl be gathered from a weather station, usually an airport or other fixed site where measurements can be taken and will be updated every 15 mins or so. Now obviously weather info from 15mins ago is not really of much help even if the weather station is in the next field unless there is not going to be much change in weather conditions. My home course is 23 miles from the weather station that updates my weather APP, so it is really meaningless for me anyway.

Because the USGA and R&A can not have a rule that is only legal if you play more than a certain distance from a weather station (you may not even know where it is anyway) they have no option but to have a blanket ban.

Just beware folks, you may well have that game of your life on a day you get caught for using your smart-phone and disqualified.

Here is a link to the details from the R&A web site http://www.randa.org/en/Equipment/Equipment-Notices/Archive/2009/November/joint-statement-on-electronic-devices.aspx

Guess I will have to now fork out for that rangefinder.

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

Never would use it in a tourney and just use my usual GPS but I'm sure this will help someone on here.

good looking out. I don't think I'd ever go into any tournament play, but this is incredibly useful info.

Good to know, I have been using GolfShot for awhile now, guess I will have to OEM me a rangefinder or another stand alone GPS device.

I'm kind of glad this happened. I have no problems with someone using an app to get the distances but I've seen in too many instances where that person using the app will start text messaging or something else and slowing down the pace of play because they aren't paying attention. I normally won't answer my phone or text message anybody while playing and if I'm in a tournament, my phones are in the car. That is one thing that really drives me nuts.

Thanks for the info. I only use my phone for a scorecard anyways. I'm not allowed to use a GPS in my school matches so I have a rangefinder.

Damakis,

Under these new rules, if your phone can connect to the net you are not allowed to even use it for scoring.

That sucks. I haven't used it to score in matches in the past but was planning on it this season. Oh well.

That is bs. Anyone who tries to tell me that I can't use my phone for GPS and scoring on the course will be getting a swift chop to the throat. Then again I don't play in USGA events, or anything like it. It is obvious that the people in charge of these new rules have no idea about smartphones and the like.

Dumb dumb dumb. Of all the things that need addressing this gets changed?

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tapatalk

I don't see how this affects me or my golf game in any way. Thanks for the heads up!

I noticed this the other day on my GolfWeek App..lol. Makes sense, I have a couple of weather apps i use and I also use Golfshot as well and I can see how all that added info could help. For tournament play I think this makes sense. I'm also under the impression that anything that gives you "slope" is deemed illegal. So pretty much just the pure distance either in a rangefinder or gps will be deemed legal for tournament play.

Lucky I just bought a Bushnell

So what are the rules on these devices for the Morgan Cup?

Problem is Barry, if you have the slope version as per your sig, that is illegal for competition play.