iPod

Re: iPhone

and Bob well knows that course planner data, including a compass rose is fine

these are all static reference data that require you to interpolate where you, and your ball, are and to work out what it all means!

Where's north?
How hard can it be.
Sorry Duncan but IMO, if a compass shows me north and the yardage book shows me north they are either both allowed or both not allowed.
 
Re: iPhone

the position of the hazards and the flag are matters of fact and you are even allowed to ask anyone (who might know, including FC's) where they are at any time.

But isn't the direction of North also a matter of fact? You can ask your caddy to point out a landmark, or check the course planner. You just can't use a compass to determine it.

Isn't the underlying principle that the player must make a judgement about such matters of fact without the aid of "artificial devices"?

In my view binoculars are as artificial as a compass.

If compasses were allowed would it not remove most of the issues in relation to GPS apps?

PS I don't have an i-phone, I just find it odd.
 
Re: iPhone

Where's north?
How hard can it be.
Sorry Duncan but IMO, if a compass shows me north and the yardage book shows me north they are either both allowed or both not allowed.

no need to be sorry Bob - I'm explaining what is not what should be!

a yardage chart tells you the distance between X and Y, yet it's not a DMD for exactly the same reason as a map isn't a compass.

you are entitled to have a 3d map of a hole, even one that give you the slope/drop/etc - but you cannot use a device to measure the slope angle during a stipulated round.

you can have a chart that relates the drop to the effect it has on your irons, but you cannot use a device that measures the slope and yardage and wind and tells you which club to hit or how to align your putt.

to my mind the line is drawn in the right place and is easy to rule on in any given situation.
 
Re: iPhone

All this talk of artificial aids to help you determine weather factors, What about the flag at the end of the flagstick surely that tells you what way the wind is blowing and assists you in helping make a decision. Especially if you are on a fairway that is windguarded by trees or something only have to look at the flag and say well the flags blowing in that direction.
 
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