My Club says no to GPS

[Beaker]

Gents,

Hope everyone has had a nice Christmas and New Year - mine involved way to much Port!

Anyway, was at my Club yesterday and a while ago I put in a letter to ask if we could change the local rule for GPS to be allowed in competition. I asked one of the committee members if they had made a decision yet and they have decided not to allow them. To say Im disappointed is a bit of an understatement! I've bought a Shotmiser and Can use it in my union events and can now use it in EGU events but can't at my home course, even though the pro's use them in the Pro AM every year?

Now the bit that really annoyed me was the reason why they are not allowed! The club have said that because not everyone can afford them then this is why they are not allowed!! Now I understand that yes some models are expensive but im sure prices range from £100 to £300? People don't have to spend a tenner for a sleeve of Pro V1's or £300 on a driver they can decide for them selves! If you want to spend £100 on a driver you can but if you want to spend £300 driver you can?! Not everyone can afford the top model Driver or ball but the club don't ban the most expensive ones? They can't!!??!!

Anyway, i'd be interested to see what other forums think?!

PS - Parmo, how you getting on with the GPS you won in that comp?

 

[Robobum]

Beaker, that is a terrible cop out by the commitee to come to that conclusion. If they want to ban them because they feel that they do not represent the "spirit" of the game then, whilst some of us will disagree, that would be a fair point.

If you have a groundswell of similar opinions at your club then I would be tempted to discuss it further with them.

 

[Parmo]

Bad news fella, but after a few practice rounds you get to know the correct distances anyway. Can you not appeal it?

PS - Parmo, how you getting on with the GPS you won in that comp?

Yeah ok, used for the first time over xmas. Some of the tee positions are wrong which cocks up the stats and the inability to change to winter greens a problem as well, overall though its proved very successful and I am enjoying it and its given me more confidence on yardage and club selection, I want a few more rounds on my own to speed up using it before I start using it with 4 balls.

 

[TonyN]

Bit of a lameass excuse I feel but it probably boils down to the fact that most elder members probably dont like them so the committy wouldn't want to upset them by giving the younger (more technically minded) golfer an advantage.

 

[Parmo]

After just joining my club and having a few in the club house I get the feeling also that too many seniors are on the board and not enough young blood, hence the reason for situations like this, its sad to see clubs not evolving with the game but rather get stuck in the past.

 

[Beaker]

Yeah Im going to appeal it i think. There are 4 or 5 members who have them and a few have said they will get them if the rule changes so im going to put in another written letter. Im really disappointed with the club because they always go on about moving forward and taking the club forward and then make a decision like this? And based on the reason I was given I think its poor but I suppose this shows exactly what golf clubs can be like?!

 

[TonyN]

Just out of curiousity, do any committy members have one? shown interest in one? Would know how to use one?

 

[Beaker]

Just out of curiousity, do any committy members have one? shown interest in one? Would know how to use one?

Haha! I don't think so? I wouldn't no for sure but there is one guy who is the union team selector and is a member at our club and he has one but not sure if he on the committee or not?

 

[Twire]

My club also don't alow them in competition, but I'm hoping with a few members requesting them, maybe they will change there mind.

I got one for christmas and used it over the festive period. Not to impressed with mine, but thats for a different thread.

 

[viscount17]

My club has also banned them for comps, though I don't know the reason why - haven't asked. I don't see it as a big issue.

most elder members probably dont like them so the committy wouldn't want to upset them by giving the younger(more technically minded) golfer an advantage.

'The young people of today are much more advanced than people your age. We grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon and the internet. We have cell phones, nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars,computers, automated manufacturing, amazing technologies'

'You're right, son. We didn't have those things when we were young..... so we invented them. Now,
what are YOU doing for the next generation?'

 

[Parmo]

I got one for christmas and used it over the festive period. Not to impressed with mine, but thats for a different thread.

I wouldnt have paid top wack for mine, though its good you cant download your previous round stats onto something like SS2 or Golfshake, so I end up marking putts, FIR & GIR on my score card and as mentioned above some of the tee's are wrong so the stats part of it is mostly usless, though good for working out stableford points.

 

[Twire]

I got one for christmas and used it over the festive period. Not to impressed with mine, but thats for a different thread.

I wouldnt have paid top wack for mine, though its good you cant download your previous round stats onto something like SS2 or Golfshake, so I end up marking putts, FIR & GIR on my score card and as mentioned above some of the tee's are wrong so the stats part of it is mostly usless, though good for working out stableford points.

Nothing wrong with the GPS concept....just some of the manufacturers claims. I will write a review on the system I bought after I have given the manufaturer the chance to reply to my email.

 

[SammmeBee]

Which make twire?

Beaker - speak to your Pro and see if he'll help fighting the cause as obviously once they allow them (and they will eventually) he is gonna make a tidy profit from selling them to the members.....

 

[Twire]

Its the CaddyAid Sammie

 

[SammmeBee]

Its the CaddyAid Sammie

Say no more.....don't give up in your 'complaint' as I know what it is - make sure you ask they how many courses they have actually 'measured' too.....

 

[Macster]

Well sorry your club has made your money wasted, but personally, I would hope my own Club would make the same decision.

See other thread !

No offence however.

 

[Parmo]

Well sorry your club has made your money wasted, but personally, I would hope my own Club would make the same decision.

See other thread !

No offence however.

Yes Chris but your argument was even more pathetic that this comm's.

The OP can still use it in practice and get all the yardages he needs rather, so he will still get the benefit just not in comps.

No offence meant.

 

[Twire]

Well sorry your club has made your money wasted, but personally, I would hope my own Club would make the same decision.

See other thread !

No offence however.

My money has not been wasted, as I new my clubs stance before purchace........the only waste was the system I chose.

 

[Beaker]

If people don't want to use them they don't have to, but why stop those who do?

If people are against them and don't want to use them, then fine, I can see where they are coming from but if people want to use them then they should be allowed at least then people can have the choice?!

The most disappointing thing about this saga is that the club always go on about taking the club forward and on this matter they had the chance to do so, being one of the first in our union to make the rule. Eventually Clubs will be allowing the use of GPS, whether it be now, in a years time or in 5 years time. It will come to the point when more clubs allow there use than those who don't! And saying they aren't going to allow them because of cost just doesn't even equate to a valid arguement?!

 

[Herbie]

Club committees have to make decisions based on all the membership, not just a few.

It may be a lame excuse to some, but to me, I cant justify the cost of one right now so anyone with one would have an advantage over me in a match.

The second thing is that how big an issue is it anyway? The club say no, so why challenge it?

My personal view is that gps takes away a significant amount of golf judgement, which in itself is a skill.

Your home club is one place where you shouldnt need it anyway.


Brilliant reply by Vig! So so true though.