EnglandGolf and GPS apps

rosecott

rosecott

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EnglandGolf (aka EGU) has now issued their guidance on DMDs with the stricture to be very, very careful when considering use of a mobile phone as a DMD. They also suggest that clubs might want to consider introducing the "regulation" regarding mobile phones which they use for matches and competitions they run. They allow mobiles to be carried in golf bags for emergencies (phoning the office, pro shop, emergency services etc.) but they may not be used for making/sending or receiving calls or texts, except in cases of emergency.
 
This is what we have been sent by the club regarding this;

"We have had a local rule for a few years now allowing the use of Distance Measuring Devices. These are allowed providing they give distance only and nothing else such as slope, wind speed and the like. England Golf (Previously EGU and LGU) have now issued a directive pointing out that many players use smart phones as their DMD, although other applications may be loaded which makes their use invalid, eg - a compass, a weather app containing wind speed, and the like.

Due to this, whether these applications are used or not during a round, their availability would render the player liable to disqualification.
To simplify matters, it has been decided that effective 1 July 2012 -
For all qualifying competitions at Bearsted, smart phones MAY NOT be used as DMD’s. Penalty for use is disqualification. Normal DMD’s may however be used, whether optical, GPS, or the like, providing only distance may be obtained.
A smart phone may be carried on the course but MUST be switched off. It may be used only in event of emergency on the course. The use of it for any other reason or application during a qualifying round will result in Disqualification."
 
Thats what I would like to see my club do, as I notice more and more people using phones as DMDs. It would be good to send the secretary any links to an official EGU article.
 
Trolleys. Some have built-in DMDs. Not a problem as such. But, it mustn’t have any non-conforming features (see 3 above). Some do. However, many modern ones can be switched to “competition mode”. That’s fine. Alternatively, England Golf accepts that if the non-conforming features – or displays – are “taped over” so they can’t be seen, that’s also fine

So golfers can be trusted not to use functions on a trolley (and even may have to tape over a display, but not on any other device, even something like the Leupold GX4i where you have a different faceplate and its obvious. So you can switch a trolley to non comp mode but not a laser.

The cynic in me assumes that the trolleys that have these non conforming features are made by the big manufacturers who have somehow managed to get a different rule for them than apllies to other DMDs

They really arent doing themselves any favours with the inconsistency in this ruling
 
Instill don't get the issue of having a compass or an app that measures wind speed. I honestly for the life of me can't see how it can help. Lets face it, if someone told any one of us that there was a 17mph wind coming from NNE, would we actually know how to translate that into a golf shot? And is it any more info than we can gain by throwing up a bit of grass and seeing which way it blows in relation to the direction we are playing?
 
I find the entire thing a bit bizarre to be honest. I have a perfectly good pair of eyes that can tell me if my next shot is flat, uphill or downhill. And I have a wet finger held up in the air that tells me which direction the wind is blowing from. I really fail to see what advantage I could possibly gain from looking at a weather forecast on my phone. Oh....and we also have a digital clock on the side of our clubhouse that alternates between time and temperature and a wind vane on the first tee FFS!!!
 
fundy said:
Trolleys. Some have built-in DMDs. Not a problem as such. But, it mustn’t have any non-conforming features (see 3 above). Some do. However, many modern ones can be switched to “competition mode”. That’s fine. Alternatively, England Golf accepts that if the non-conforming features – or displays – are “taped over” so they can’t be seen, that’s also fine

So golfers can be trusted not to use functions on a trolley (and even may have to tape over a display, but not on any other device, even something like the Leupold GX4i where you have a different faceplate and its obvious. So you can switch a trolley to non comp mode but not a laser.

The cynic in me assumes that the trolleys that have these non conforming features are made by the big manufacturers who have somehow managed to get a different rule for them than apllies to other DMDs

They really arent doing themselves any favours with the inconsistency in this ruling
Click to expand...

this was a big weakness in the article - they are trying to clarify but end up confusing anyone who aplies even the slightest thought!

the R&A make it extremely clear in their explanations that a trolley is a trolley, not a DMD. The addition of a DMD feature on a trolley doesn't make it a DMD and therefore the DMD rules do not apply to it - the general rules do. These reference the use of a feature not it's existence.

A smartphone used as a DMD is deemed to be a DMD, therefore the DMD rules apply to it. These reference the existence of a feature.

I am afraid I tok one look at the 'clarification' and burried it. It does nothing constructive.
 
thanks Duncan for the clarification - utter bonkers ruling and they're just digging themselves deeper and deeper imho.

I actually emailed R&A rules dept again for clarification before you posted, expect I get same response but surely they can see they are just confusing people by being inconsistent
 
Here's an example of how ridiculous the situation is becoming. One of our members stated his intention of lodging an appeal against the loss of a pairs matchplay round claiming that one of the opponents had used an iphone GPS app. A few minutes later he was in a huddle with 3 others finding out how to download GPS apps onto his iphone.
 
its a farce. I personally think its a cartel with the GPS manufacturers crossing the palms of those in positions of power to exclude these *cheaper* yet more accessible alternatives.
 
You could always force the R&As hand. If everyone in a comp used an Iphone or similar. They could not disqualify the whole field. If this was done in every comp. They would have to concede or be made to look a laughing stock. Up the revolution brother/sister.
 
RichardC said:
This is what we have been sent by the club regarding this;

"We have had a local rule for a few years now allowing the use of Distance Measuring Devices. These are allowed providing they give distance only and nothing else such as slope, wind speed and the like. England Golf (Previously EGU and LGU) have now issued a directive pointing out that many players use smart phones as their DMD, although other applications may be loaded which makes their use invalid, eg - a compass, a weather app containing wind speed, and the like.

Due to this, whether these applications are used or not during a round, their availability would render the player liable to disqualification.
To simplify matters, it has been decided that effective 1 July 2012 -
For all qualifying competitions at Bearsted, smart phones MAY NOT be used as DMD’s. Penalty for use is disqualification. Normal DMD’s may however be used, whether optical, GPS, or the like, providing only distance may be obtained.
A smart phone may be carried on the course but MUST be switched off. It may be used only in event of emergency on the course. The use of it for any other reason or application during a qualifying round will result in Disqualification."
Click to expand...

As far as I understand it a club cannot do this, as they would not be following the rules as lade down by the R&A. Though I can understand why they have been tempted to do so.
 
doublebogey7 said:
As far as I understand it a club cannot do this, as they would not be following the rules as lade down by the R&A. Though I can understand why they have been tempted to do so.
Click to expand...

As I see it they can as the R&A made it a local rule with the use of DMDs and phone DMDs. The only thing I've read about phone DMDs being banned is all iphones using DMD apps are banned but I can't remember if that only the USGA or not.
 
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