Linda, is there a penalty involved if a player asks an
opponent what yardage she has to the pin on her GPS device?
Does it make any difference if both players have a device
but advice is still asked?? Do GPS devices have to be covered by a Local Rule? Can
a player give "unsolicited" advice to another player about GPS
distance?
Thanks,
Lulu from Florida
Dear Lulu,
Under the Rules, players are not permitted to use any device
to measure distance [Rule 14-3]. If a Committee wants to permit players to use
a distance-measuring device, it must establish a Local Rule to permit their
use.
Information on distance is not advice [Definition of
“Advice”]. Players may exchange information regarding the distance between two
objects. Therefore, asking your opponent the distance from your ball to the
flagstick is always permissible. Assuming that a Local Rule to permit the use
of a distance-measuring device is in effect, sharing distance information is permissible even if both of
you have such a device. There is no penalty if your opponent
gives you unsolicited distance information. If you don’t want her to do this,
let her know.
Linda
Copyright © 2014 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
