Non Conforming Feature Switchability

[nickjdavis]

I've just read the review of the latest Shot Scope laser rangefinder and one quote stood out to me...

"The Slope functionality is easy to toggle on and off, just like the best golf rangefinders with slope, via the switch on top."

I thought that the whole point of needing to use unusual tools to adjust clubs (e.g. star screwdrivers) was to make it difficult for a player to discretely adjust his club whilst out on the course....you needed a special tool to adjust the club and it couldnt be done with something that you might have lying randomly around...e.g. a coin or similar common place item. Likewise, Rangefinders always needed to have the Slope On/Off functionality buried in the menu systems, or perhaps was activated in a way that it would be visually obvious that slope was being used (e.g. in an early Bushnell device, slope was activated by attaching a red coloured front piece to the device, rather than the normal white.

It seems to me that these stringent requirements, that made it hard to quickly adjust a club or activate a non conforming feature, are softening. If challenged, anyone can now easily switch slope off, whereas if you challenged me to show my Tour v4 wasn't in slope mode I'd just have to hand it over to you....as there's no way I'd be able to go through the extended process required to toggle slope on or off without it being blindingly obvious that I was trying to pull a fast one.

 

[Swango1980]

I'm sure this is a commonly abused rule. Many might not even know it is a rule.

Who has ever checked that a player they are with is using the Slope feature or not? I've played with hundreds of people using rangefinders, I've certainly never checked

 

[Neilds]

I'm sure this is a commonly abused rule. Many might not even know it is a rule.

Who has ever checked that a player they are with is using the Slope feature or not? I've played with hundreds of people using rangefinders, I've certainly never checked

I always check, just after I have counted their clubs, checked them all against the conforming list, same with their ball.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I've just read the review of the latest Shot Scope laser rangefinder and one quote stood out to me...

"The Slope functionality is easy to toggle on and off, just like the best golf rangefinders with slope, via the switch on top."

I thought that the whole point of needing to use unusual tools to adjust clubs (e.g. star screwdrivers) was to make it difficult for a player to discretely adjust his club whilst out on the course....you needed a special tool to adjust the club and it couldnt be done with something that you might have lying randomly around...e.g. a coin or similar common place item. Likewise, Rangefinders always needed to have the Slope On/Off functionality buried in the menu systems, or perhaps was activated in a way that it would be visually obvious that slope was being used (e.g. in an early Bushnell device, slope was activated by attaching a red coloured front piece to the device, rather than the normal white.

It seems to me that these stringent requirements, that made it hard to quickly adjust a club or activate a non conforming feature, are softening. If challenged, anyone can now easily switch slope off, whereas if you challenged me to show my Tour v4 wasn't in slope mode I'd just have to hand it over to you....as there's no way I'd be able to go through the extended process required to toggle slope on or off without it being blindingly obvious that I was trying to pull a fast one.

Been using one for years that’s just got a switch on the side

In comps I make sure it’s switched so you don’t see the red bit

But it’s very easy to leave it on

At our level it won’t be long before they allow the slope in comps

 

[Imurg]

It would be virtually impossible for someone to know if I had the Slope function activated on my laser unless they were about a foot away from it....and that's invading my personal space so Bog off!!

 

[doublebogey7]

Where did you get the idea that the unusual rool to adjust clubs was for the purpose of being able to observe yhe action taking place. I don't think there is anyrhing in the equipment rules that say that is the case. All down to player integrity, as with a number of requirements placed on the player.

 

[nickjdavis]

Where did you get the idea that the unusual rool to adjust clubs was for the purpose of being able to observe yhe action taking place. I don't think there is anything in the equipment rules that say that is the case. All down to player integrity, as with a number of requirements placed on the player.

Perhaps worded clumsily....the use of a specialist tool is supposed to make it difficult to change....and then, by extension, if someone was changing a setting on the sly, it would be pretty noticeable to others.

I was just surprised that we seem to be getting away from the requirement to make things hard to change by having a simple button to activate a non conforming feature.

Section 2.1b says...

Method of Adjustment Adjustments must require the use of a special tool, such as an Allen key, a Phillips screwdriver or a custom made device. It must not be possible to make the adjustment just by using the fingers or some other object which would normally be kept in a golfer’s pocket, for example a coin or a pitch-mark repair tool.

The red text is behind my thought process here...a simple movement of the finger can activate slope.

 

[salfordlad]

Perhaps worded clumsily....the use of a specialist tool is supposed to make it difficult to change....and then, by extension, if someone was changing a setting on the sly, it would be pretty noticeable to others.

I was just surprised that we seem to be getting away from the requirement to make things hard to change by having a simple button to activate a non conforming feature.

Section 2.1b says...

Method of Adjustment Adjustments must require the use of a special tool, such as an Allen key, a Phillips screwdriver or a custom made device. It must not be possible to make the adjustment just by using the fingers or some other object which would normally be kept in a golfer’s pocket, for example a coin or a pitch-mark repair tool.

The red text is behind my thought process here...a simple movement of the finger can activate slope.

Section 2 of the equipment rules deals specifically with the technical requirements for clubs, there are over 50 pages. There are no technical requirements for DMDs so I don't see any reason why the equipment rules for clubs would be relevant for DMDs. What you can do with DMDs is simply covered in Rule 4.3 and it is comprehensive.

 

[doublebogey7]

Perhaps worded clumsily....the use of a specialist tool is supposed to make it difficult to change....and then, by extension, if someone was changing a setting on the sly, it would be pretty noticeable to others.

I was just surprised that we seem to be getting away from the requirement to make things hard to change by having a simple button to activate a non conforming feature.

Section 2.1b says...

Method of Adjustment Adjustments must require the use of a special tool, such as an Allen key, a Phillips screwdriver or a custom made device. It must not be possible to make the adjustment just by using the fingers or some other object which would normally be kept in a golfer’s pocket, for example a coin or a pitch-mark repair tool.

The red text is behind my thought process here...a simple movement of the finger can activate slope.

Far enough I wasn't aware of that. There are no specific equipment rules for range finders or any other similar equipment beyond the very basics. The first motocaddy trolley, before distance measuring devices were permittted, had a distance function that had a simple on/off button.

 

[srixon 1]

From my experience, when I have compared slope to non slope readings around my own course the difference is minimal anyway.

 

[DickInShorts]

Played with a chap in an Open last year who said out loud on 1 hole “it’s 130 to the pin- playing 140 due to the slope”.
I pulled him up and he said he’d had his laser set to slope since he’d had it - for several years. He didn’t know it was against the rules so I do wonder how many laser users have been breaking this rule for years!

 

[Swango1980]

Played with a chap in an Open last year who said out loud on 1 hole “it’s 130 to the pin- playing 140 due to the slope”.
I pulled him up and he said he’d had his laser set to slope since he’d had it - for several years. He didn’t know it was against the rules so I do wonder how many laser users have been breaking this rule for years!

Many golfers don't know what the rule is for an unplayable ball. So, significantly more will not know about the rule about Slope readings on rangefinders. Especially because they have often spend extortionate prices for the top rangefinders, they wouldn't even imagine it would give you information that it is illegal.

I am waiting for the day that a golfer turns up with a wind meter attached to their trolley