Hi Linda,
Within the last few years the rules allow for distance
measuring devices to be used providing they only measure distance and not
slope. All this under local rule, of course. Devices which measure both
distance and slope are not allowed. There are apparently exceptions to certain
models of these dual function devices, as they have a part that is removed to
disable slope which is also color coded to satisfy any fellow competitor that
they are legal. Now we get to the mobile phone or tablet. There are golf apps
available that provide for scoring and GPS location and maps of the golf
course. I understand that these apps function within the boundaries of the
local rule. These mobile devices also have the information from around the
world available to them, including the rules of golf (good) and directional
information with compass apps (bad), wind velocity and direction, swing tips,
etc. What is the status of such a device on the golf course?
Thanks as always.
Lulu from Mississauga, Ontario
Dear Lulu,
If the Committee has adopted a Local Rule to permit the use
of distance-measuring devices (as per the Note to Rule 14-3), players may use any device that measures distance. If
that device has other functions that might aid the player (e.g., elevation
change, wind speed, etc.), the player may not use those functions during her
round [Decision 14-3/0.5]. The player may, however, use a weather app on a mobile device, as it does not measure or gauge the wind or weather but simply report it from a weather station.
Incidentally, players are permitted to use compasses.
Compasses only determine direction; they do not measure variable conditions and
do not provide assistance to the golfer in violation of any Rule [Decision 14-3/4].
Linda
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