Hands up who knows the rules on 'Advice' in competition golf?

[Herbie]

I was offered yardage from another competitor as he used his device today, I said "no thankyou, Im ok with it" he persisted in offering, even though I repeated it was ok.

Now this is not a criticism of technology, it is a question regarding 'Advice' in a comp. If I had asked then the onus would be on me, many clubs accept this technology and it is considered public knowledge for want of a better statement, but to offer, repeatedly??.

Is this one tool that is exempt rules on advice by players?
If he told me it was 180 and it turned out to be 200 would I have a case?

As it was I knew the yardage and stuck it on the green but had he told me it was a different yardage to my judgement it may then have an effect on my choices of club and shot type.

Now I do reitterate that it is in no way a criticism of technology, good luck to those who use it, its accepted so its fine by me, no its a question regarding 'advice' by competitors.

Anyone know? be interested in peoples thoughts.

 

[brendy]

You cant control what a partner/competitor says on the course, I'd have thought its up to you whether you take their advice, right or wrong.

 

[MarkS]

'its not how far is it' i need advice on - its where the bloody hell has it gone...

this is off topic, i grant you....will it be deleted?

 

[brendy]

Mark the word is suspended, and no it wont.

 

[MarkS]

Mark the word is suspended, and no it wont.

 

[JezzE]

Herbie,
Assuming DMDs are allowed in competitions at your club, then in terms of legality, there is no problem as 'distance' is not classed as advice (see below excerpt from 'Decisions' book)

Information regarding the distance between two objects is public information and not advice. It is therefore permissible for players to exchange information relating to the distance between two objects. For example, a player may ask anyone, including his opponent, fellow-competitor or either of their caddies, the distance between his ball and the hole.

Except when the Local Rule allowing the use of distance-measuring devices has been adopted (see Note to Rule 14-3), information regarding distance must not have been obtained from an artificial device used during the stipulated round. A player who obtains distance information that he knew was measured by anyone with an artificial device during the player’s round is disqualified under Rule 14-3. (Revised)

In terms of whether that creates potentially unhelpful confusion in your mind, then that's another matter, and one for which - like you - you have to have the strength of character and confidence in your own judgment to totally disregard the info you're being given!

 

[Ethan]

Yardage is not advice, unless he adds how the yardage will be affected by wind, slope etc.

You should be able to say that you do not want him to tell you yardages.

I have a laser device which is allowed by my club in comps. When I play in a medal I usually say to my playing partners that if they want to know a yardage, happy for them to ask me or use the device themselves.

 

[RGDave]

Odd-ball moment me thinks.
I sometimes ask for distances and indeed sometimes offer.
If a member of the group is scratching his head and looking at the stroke-saver, I might say "it's 156 from the tree"...if I know for sure.
If he says "thanks, I'll do my own" that's good enough for me.
Sounds like he was a bit keen to help with his gadget.

 

[Imurg]

Another example of poor wording. I had to read the decision 2 or 3 times before getting it right. If you emphasise a particular word you get a very different outcome.

 

[justhitthething]

Another example of poor wording. I had to read the decision 2 or 3 times before getting it right. If you emphasise a particular word you get a very different outcome.

Agree. I read it and came to the conclusion that information on yardages wasnt advice except when it came from a DMD. Another three reads and I came to exactly the opposite conclusion.
What chance do we have your honour?

 

[Basher]

That's the R&A rules for you. As dry as an Egyptians flipflop unfortunately.
Why the hell don't they update the rule book and write it in plain English which EVERYONE could understand.

 

[Imurg]

Because the people that write them don't talk plain English - they talk just like they write!

 

[Basher]

You're not wrong mate. I assume the old fuddy duddies are all retired lawyers or accountants! (No disrespect intended to anyone who is!)

 

[drawboy]

Even pro's cant get to grips with rules,that's why they need so many rules officials following them about.

 

[DCB]

So I take it that we're all up to speed on the highway code then ?

There's only 34 rules to worry about in golf, and at least if you get them wrong it's not a criminal offence as some of the Highway Code rules would be.

 

[MizunoMan]

Could a stroke saver booklet be classed as a distance measuring device under rule 14.3?

 

[DCB]

Erm, you might go to jail if found out on that one

 

[Imurg]

So I take it that we're all up to speed on the highway code then ?

The only other book that we all must read but don't!!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It looks like I've been educated then. I use my SC5 and was under the impression if I gave someone else the yardages I'd be liable for a penalty and so have never ventured this information in a competitive round.

It seems I am allowed to do so. You live and learn although how the definitve yardage given by the GPS from any given point on the course is public information is an interesting point without golfers pacing it out from all over the show. Not really an advert for quicker play

 

[Herbie]

Another example of poor wording. I had to read the decision 2 or 3 times before getting it right. If you emphasise a particular word you get a very different outcome.

Thats exactly how I see it sometimes, I was pretty sure I knew it was acceptable, just about the same as Jezz stated in his opening comment, but when someone pesters in their eagerness to help out, there should be a rule that covers annoying people...