Golshot GPS (or similar) on SmartWatch

[palindromicbob]

What do you make of this?

Q. My smartphone has an inbuilt spirit level as part of the functionality of the phone but it is not part of the distance-measuring app. Can I use the phone as a distance-measuring device?

Yes, provided that you do not use the level in a manner that might assist you in your play.

I make of that exactly what it is. A spirit level is fine as long as you don't use it. There in black and white for all to see on the R&A website.

Now ball back in your court from the same section of the website.

Q. What about multi-functional devices, such as a mobile phone, with a distance-measuring application?

A. On the course, subject to any club or course regulations, a multi-functional device may be used to phone, text, email or to look up general information, provided the purpose is not a breach of the Rules, e.g. you cannot make a phone call to ask for advice.

When an application that measures distance has been downloaded to the device, the application must be restricted to providing only distance information in order to conform to the Local Rule. If there are other features or applications on the phone that can specifically gauge or measure conditions that might affect the player’s play, such as an anemometer or thermometer, this would render the device non-conforming for use as a distance-measuring device, regardless of the fact that these other features or applications are used or not.

The flowchart referred to above also covers the use of multi-functional devices and should be of assistance in determining whether a certain device is permissible for use.

I'll whole heartedly agree that Dean's approach is the most sensible but I think we could also agree the rules of golf are not always so . It's also fair to say his statement contradicts the official published advice.

 

[rulefan]

It's also fair to say his statement contradicts the official published advice.

Which advice does it contradict?

Do you see any conflict in these two statements of advice?

1) provided that you do not use the level in a manner that might assist you in your play.

2) regardless of the fact that these other features or applications are used or not.

 

[Spuddy]

Which advice does it contradict?

Do you see any conflict in these two statements of advice?

1) provided that you do not use the level in a manner that might assist you in your play.

2) regardless of the fact that these other features or applications are used or not.

Looking at the flowchart, if its a camera or spirit level then its fine providing you dont use that feature. If its an anenometer or thermometer then you cant use it as a DMD at all.

 

[palindromicbob]

Looking at the flowchart, if its a camera or spirit level then its fine providing you dont use that feature. If its an anenometer or thermometer then you cant use it as a DMD at all.

Just bear in mind that it's isn't exclusively anemometers and thermometers these are mentioned as examples but other features also fall foul.

Which advice does it contradict?

Do you see any conflict in these two statements of advice?

1) provided that you do not use the level in a manner that might assist you in your play.

2) regardless of the fact that these other features or applications are used or not.

The contradiction comes in of Dean's statement is really this part:

Essentially, we’re trying to protect players (i.e., not trap them), who use smartphones as DMDs and the phone has other apps installed which may be a breach of the Rules. Provided the player doesn’t access those other apps… no harm, no foul.

That contradicts the advice from the R&A I've referenced above.

Do I see a conflict in the two statements? Yes. It's giving trust with one thing but not another. Trust should be given to all or none. The problem is that to use a device as a level requires a very obvious action. To use it to check temp, air pressure, club recommendation, flick to a different DMD app that does compensate for slope can be done in a much more clandestine way.