GPS in Competition Question

[PhilTheFragger]

Seen lots of reviews in all the mags recently and lots of posts about GPS devices and I have a question.

The rules seem to say that you can use one as long as it just gives you distance feedback, other help such as wind direction/speed green contours etc are not allowed.

Looking at many devices out there, they do give the distance info, but many also suggest how far to play up to leave you with a 100 yard shot to the green.

Is this info against the rules? should there be a list of the devices that are ok to use in competition as opposed to social use.

Fragger

 

[bobmac]

but many also suggest how far to play up to leave you with a 100 yard shot to the green.

Is this info against the rules?
Fragger

No

 

[Imurg]

Most of the stand-alone GPS devices don't give you wind or slope help. Its mainly a few laser rangefinders tht do this. They're ok to use in practice but not in competition. Ordinary GPS's are as long as the local rule is made - which it is at APGC!!

 

[Tiger]

Sorry to thread hijack Phil but having read Imurg's post I have a question. From being a naive purist I'm now a gadget convert. I am saving to buy a laser rangefinder to help with course management but also my practice sessions.

I don't want to buy a unit I can't use in competition so do I need to discount any with slope measurement? Also any recommendations would be helpful as all the tests seem to score them pretty evenly.

 

[bobmac]

Tiger, you need to check with your own club if they allow these in competitions.
If they do, here's my opinion.
The Sonnocaddie V300 has the following

Yardage Guide with Course Layout
Green View
Track Your Game
Distance Calculator
Digital Scorecard and Game Analysis
Personalized Course Information

Its waterproof, big colour screen holds 30 courses FREE, no subs
If you want to know more go here

http://www.sonocaddie.com/v300/index.html

Heres mine

 

[USER1999]

Where's the lazer Bob?

 

[Tiger]

Tiger, you need to check with your own club if they allow these in competitions.
If they do, here's my opinion.
The Sonnocaddie V300 has the following

Yardage Guide with Course Layout
Green View
Track Your Game
Distance Calculator
Digital Scorecard and Game Analysis
Personalized Course Information

Its waterproof, big colour screen holds 30 courses FREE, no subs
If you want to know more go here

http://www.sonocaddie.com/v300/index.html

Heres mine

Thanks Bob, but the reason I want a laser range finder is so I can accurately measure distances on the range, practice ground and the heath (particularly for my short game).

 

[bobmac]

Where's the lazer Bob?

Sorry Murph, I hadn't turned it on

Sorry Tiger, my mistake. Didn't read your post properly

Disclaimer

This is a GPS and does not have a laser.

 

[Tiger]

That's why I love this forum. Utter genius!!!!

 

[USER1999]

Out of interest, you can still measure distances on a gps (you certainly can with skycaddie). You just zero it where you are, and walk out to where your balls are, and click mark, and it gives a distance. If you hit 10 7i, and then stand roughly in the middle of them, you will get an average yardage from where you hit them.

 

[Tiger]

Ahhh, Didn't know you could do that just thought it gave you information from where you were on the course to pre set areas. Thanks Murph, although that's muddied the waters a little. I'll have a think and then start a specific thread. Phil apologies once again for the hijack.

Anyone with answers to Phil's original question?

 

[Robobum]

Spoon.......feed

 

[Fyldewhite]

You just zero it where you are, and walk out to where your balls are, and click mark, and it gives a distance.

I use a similar method where I count the number of strides which are roughly a yard and the total number = number of yards. Genius.

 

[User 105]

Seen lots of reviews in all the mags recently and lots of posts about GPS devices and I have a question.

The rules seem to say that you can use one as long as it just gives you distance feedback, other help such as wind direction/speed green contours etc are not allowed.

Looking at many devices out there, they do give the distance info, but many also suggest how far to play up to leave you with a 100 yard shot to the green.

Is this info against the rules? should there be a list of the devices that are ok to use in competition as opposed to social use.

Fragger

I think there was a recent change (clarification) to the rules. There was a post a few weeks back on it but I can't find it.

They are still allowed by local rules but they clarified a couple of areas. I think one was that they weren't allowed to advise on club or shot selection. They can advise of distance to any point, but that's basically it.

I've seen a couple of iPhone apps that you can enter club distances into and it will advise based on distance to a point which one to use. That's now illegal. iirc.

 

[HRC99]

Seen lots of reviews in all the mags recently and lots of posts about GPS devices and I have a question.

The rules seem to say that you can use one as long as it just gives you distance feedback, other help such as wind direction/speed green contours etc are not allowed.

Looking at many devices out there, they do give the distance info, but many also suggest how far to play up to leave you with a 100 yard shot to the green.

Is this info against the rules? should there be a list of the devices that are ok to use in competition as opposed to social use.

Fragger

I think there was a recent change (clarification) to the rules. There was a post a few weeks back on it but I can't find it.

They are still allowed by local rules but they clarified a couple of areas. I think one was that they weren't allowed to advise on club or shot selection. They can advise of distance to any point, but that's basically it.

I've seen a couple of iPhone apps that you can enter club distances into and it will advise based on distance to a point which one to use. That's now illegal. iirc.

I don't really understand that at all. For me, they should really be able to provide you with as much advice as you might expect from a caddy. After all, a caddy can give you advice on what club to use, slopes, wind strength and over and above that they can help you line up and reading greens.

The GPS/Rangefinders are the same as a caddy and I cannot see why there should be a distinction between the advice they can give and a caddy can give. Just doesn't seem logical to me.

 

[Robobum]

Slightly off topic but, I have found a new use for my SC during the "big freeze". When the greens are rock solid it gives you quick and easy yardages to miss the greens into little areas that give you easy chips.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

A number of points here I think.

1) Make sure they are legal at your club or its an expensive toy for practice rounds.

2)Make sure it conforms and doesn't offer any illegal information.

3) If you want to measure your clubs accurately buy one that lets you measure individual shots.

Other than that shop around I got the SC as it was a good deal for me at the time but having seen the popularity of the sonocaddie it looks a pretty good alternative. From a personal point of view its been great for my game especially from 120 yards and in. I'm also missing fewer greens short (where most trouble lays) and it does give a sense of confidence.

 

[Ethan]

I had a Sky Caddie, but find the laser more useful on courses that I know.

In our club there is a notice on the board stating clearly that these devices may be used.

 

[Imurg]

The GPS giving you a lay-up distance is ok because its giving you a distance to a point on the course - just like the distance to a bunker or ditch.

 

[Golfmmad]

You just zero it where you are, and walk out to where your balls are, and click mark, and it gives a distance.

I use a similar method where I count the number of strides which are roughly a yard and the total number = number of yards. Genius.

How strange, that's exactly what I do

There's me thinking I was the only one

Golfmmad.