Can your committee make a decision

[viscount17]

Yet another GPS post I'm afraid, but I seem to have put the proverbial cat among the pigeons in my society.

I merely asked if the society was going to allow the use of GPS. Simple one would have thought, but no. They've come over all R&A. 'We have to abide by the decision of the courses we're playing.' In other words 'we may have a different policy every match'.

Why I don't know, our matches have nothing to do with a club comp and were an EGU match to be played then GPS would be allowed irrespective of any local decision.

I've already told them I have no issue whatever their decision so why is it so damned hard for people to make one?

 

[SammmeBee]

I think that is the 'stand on the fence' decision.....

 

[GB72]

Same problem at my club. No end of members use GPS but committee will not authorise them for competition use yet their use is fine at a number of local clubs. Get the feeling that they will simply stick with the Status Quo as it leads to a quieter life than offending those that do not have one or oppose their use.

 

[SammmeBee]

Ask them the question as to give you just 1 valid reason why they deem it neccesary to not allow their use....

I have yet to hear a valid one yet....

 

[Canfordhacker]

I asked the same question of my society committee yesterday spookily enough, knowing they had a meeting. I made the the point to them that any comps we play are by our own rules, and that we have our own handicap rules to make provision for cutting winners even if above par which sets a precedent.

Result? They agreed to use of GPS even where a course local rule isn't in place to allow it.

 

[muttleee]

Why do clubs/committees or whoever ban GPSs anyway? Surely there's nothing in the rules of golf that would outlaw them?

 

[viscount17]

My club is one of those that will allow in practice but not in competition. I don't have an issue with their decision, and at least they made one.

 

[viscount17]

muttlee, blame the R&A for this fiasco. They couldn't make a decision either.

GPS are not illegal (providing all they give is straight-line distance) but the decision as to whether to allow their use in comps was left to local committees.

The EGA have already ratified their use in all their comps.

 

[USER1999]

My club have made the (correct in my view) decision to allow them in comps.

I was talking to my society guys at the AGM on Monday re gps, and most of the committee thought they were cheating. Odd, but as I have the lowest h/cap, but maybe they feel that they won't get an advantage, where I will.

However, this year, I am Captain, so what I want goes. Ha Ha. I have already downloaded the first course. Legal this year at least.

 

[HTL]

However, this year, I am Captain, so what I want goes. Ha Ha. I have already downloaded the first course. Legal this year at least.

Good stuff mate, that deserves a new post! Dont want to hijack this so thats all ill say.

Committee at my club allowed GPS last year.

 

[Imurg]

I'm getting a little confused here.

The R&A say they can be used in competition if a local rule allows it - yes?

The EGA have said they can be used in all compys. What if a club doesn't have the local rule in force but are playing an EGA compy?

Confused of Aylesbury........

 

[Dodger]

I think I am right in saying they are allowed in EGU flagship events a la Brabazon etc not in all club comps that is still down to each club.

 

[viscount17]

My reading is that if an EGU comp is being held at a course where GPS are not allowed in local comps, then the GPS will be allowed for the EGU comp.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm waiting ratification from my club. I was reading some old captains committee minutes from last year and it looks like they discussed it so I'm hoping they made a local rule allowing them.

 

[rgs]

Our club allows GPS in all club competitions, however they are not allowed in inter club competitions.

As society secretary we allow their use during our outings.

I fail to see why clubs and societies wont allow their se given the R&A will allow them subject to local rule.
This is a cop out by the R&A.

 

[Cernunnos]

As far as societies are concerned, its probably simpler not to broach the subject, then it need not become an issue & by the time it does, there would be that many members of a society using GPS that they couldn't prevent it.

Societies in general are not proper clubs, so need not be bound by the limits of courses or anything else.

 

[Doh]

Might i suggest that as far as clubs are concerned that you have a look at what your county are recommending, i believe most are going in favor of GPS systems so there is no reason why clubs should not follow suit.

 

[wackygolfer]

In my club the membership are allowed to use them but the Ladies County Competitions have decided that they will not allow them. EWGA have decided we cannot use them for medals or qualifiers but the mens section are allowed to use them so what happens in a mixed?????

I would love to get one but it is so confusing when and if you can use them, I think I will wait until the go ahead for all to use them

 

[Twire]

Our club approved them this month. I think the thing that pushed them to approving, is that we have a Devon County girls competition in the spring and they will be allowed to use them.

 

[wackygolfer]

Hi Twire

You might be allowed them as a club rule but Devon Ladies Committee have followed EWGA ruling and the girls will definitely not be allowed to use them.

Thats what I mean about being confusing.