iPhone Use in Competition - but only for recording scores

[thedrewser]

I know that using my iPhone as a GPS in a competition is illegal due to the other applications (compass etc).

However, if I use the iPhone purely for the purposes of keeping score (for myself that is, as I like to keep various stats - putts, GIRs etc) and make no use of the GPS feature, is this still deemed illegal, or, because the phone is not being used in connection with any golfing decisions, could this be allowed?

 

[USER1999]

I doubt it. I had a watch, with compass and barometer. Banned. You just are not allowed a compass or a barometer on the golf course.

 

[thedrewser]

Probably about time somebody brought out a smartphone app to let you disable these features temporarily.

 

[StuartD]

I think its ok to use.

The rules state that it's only when used as a GPS its illegal (if it has the compass app)

The rule also states that its ok to use as a phone or for rules related advice on course (even if it has compass app)

As you are not using it as a gps i think you will be ok

 

[stevie_r]

you could always record all that info on a spare scorecard and then transfer it to the app later. Prevents someone potentially ruining your day by reporting you when you've just gone and hit a PB!

 

[thedrewser]

Stevie_r - that's what I currently do in comps, record the score and no. of putts on a seperate scorecard and then input later.

 

[stevie_r]

Stevie_r - that's what I currently do in comps, record the score and no. of putts on a seperate scorecard and then input later.

what app are you currently using? I'm using golfshot, it has many different statistical criteria for proving how gash my game is currently

 

[One Planer]

Whatever happened to a scorecard and a pencil

 

[thedrewser]

Yes, I use Golfshot too. Great app.

 

[RGDave]

Whatever happened to a scorecard and a pencil

My feelings exactly.

I shopped two guys for using an iPhone recently in a comp. They were disqualified.

I don't give a flying *whatever* what people are using them for.
1. Phones (and the use of) are not allowed on the course
2. Any device that has the "ability" to gain any information that could potentially supply a player with an advantage is certainly not in the spirit of the game.

I'm going zero-tolerance on this. Sorry, but it's like taking a calculator into a non-calculator GCSE because it tells the time.

 

[GMAC88]

RGDave do you still whittle your stones and make your own holes!?

The skill is not in the use of the APP, but in the playing of the shot!

 

[thedrewser]

I think this issue clearly shows why there should be one set of rules for professionals (who would get an advantage out of the prohibited applications) and the amateur game (because lets face it, how many of us would get an advantage from knowing the barometric pressure!!!).

 

[StuartD]

I shopped two guys for using an iPhone recently in a comp. They were disqualified.

I don't give a flying *whatever* what people are using them for.
1. Phones (and the use of) are not allowed on the course
2. Any device that has the "ability" to gain any information that could potentially supply a player with an advantage is certainly not in the spirit of the game.

I'm going zero-tolerance on this. Sorry, but it's like taking a calculator into a non-calculator GCSE because it tells the time.

Dave


You say you have a zero tolerance to smart phones on the course. Does that make anyone who carries a smartphone on the course a cheat? Do you not trust anyone who carries a smartphone on course not to use a banned app? I find your attitude rather insulting to 99% of golfers up and down the land

Your analogy to taking a calculator to read the time into a non calculator exam does not hold true. Calculators are obviously banned form the aforementioned exams but whether you like it or not a smartphone is only banned on course when used in certain circumstances so it is quite clear you should give a flying *whatever* what people are using them for

I have 2 young children one of which is not in the best of health since she was born so I frequently check my phone on course for missed calls messages as I may have to leave the course to go to hospital. If you were to see me on course looking at my smartphone would you immediately think I was cheating and would you report me? I would be extremely disappointed and angry if you did so.

Before you go reporting anyone you should ascertain if they are using the phone is being used as GPS AND if it carries any banned apps before you go making such accusations.

The rule as it stands (covered here many times before) is not great but you should be careful in your actions

It has happened at our course a couple of times where one person has reported two other members and it was found in case a) the phone was Iphone 3g (does not have compass) and b) three competitors were using it for rule guidance. As a result the person doing the reporting has been made to look rather silly.

 

[Bobmysterkaymer]

I use my golfshot app every week and have never had any complaints, I'm not being funny but I regularly shot in the 90's and never had had the need to know the wind direction from info off my phone! (the old throw grass in the air or wet the tip of my finger thing works fine) there is no advantage to be gained by knowing the windspeed/direction when the info off the phone is probably inaccurate anyway. Not once have I ever or will use the compass app, quite simply there is no point! Golfshot is a gps/scorecard nothing more nothing less. It's funny how you can use the r&a app for rules with a phone with the compass on! Now what if you have a phone with the golfshot/r&a app and compass app? Who gives a flying £&@* if someone else is using it? I dont because I'm to busy focusing on my own game and not weather someone is using a gps! It does need sorting by the r&a ASAP as it disriminates the non cheaters like me who use the golfshot app!!!!!

 

[RGDave]

Stuart. Thanks for your comments.

I didn't make myself entirely clear, and I apologise.

I have actively supported the carrying of phones on the course for many a year. Our captain is a consultant surgeon and is known to carry and check his phone, which I approve of 100%. There are other special cases in our club, and at every club up and down the land. To my mind there is a difference between carrying a phone and checking it in exceptional circumstances and openly accessing the internet during a game, which was the case.

The gentlemen in question were using smart phones with GPS and other devices, the exact nature of which I don't know, but safe to say the matter was cleared up to the satisfaction of a number of members who were pretty fed up with the ongoing behaviour.

I didn't make myself very clear, and regret any inference that somehow I was tarring everyone with the same brush.

A player quietly checking a phone because they need to, is of course, fine. Two players waiting on the tee making phone call and/or accessing the net and/or apps other than GPS is more suspicious. I wasn't the first to spot this, and took it on myself to bring the matter up.

I worded it badly. Unfortunately, it was at the top of my hit list because it was fresh in the memory.
Many apologies.

 

[G1BB0]

I have a feeling smart phone gps apps may be allowed or.... gps full stop banned.

the reason is too many grey areas.

Technology is advancing so bloody quickly that unfortunately the powers that be are either too slow or forced into a rapid response neither of which addresses the situation fully.

Until the r&a state different I will use golfshot on iphone for general play/practice and course markers for comps, which I hasten to add are very good and it does speed up play doing so (course markers that is)