Rules on GPS

[Philm]

please enlighten me,

can i use it in a competition? and what rules allows/disallows it?

i have tried to search but cannot search for gps(3 letters) and the Search engine wont accept gps*

Phil

 

[bigfoot1985]

at my club we are allowed to use gps devices.. im not 100% sure if there is a official rule for them or whether its down to the club your playing at

 

[jammydodger]

Our county allows them in comps as long as there not iphone type things that give you all manner of data. As long as its distance only then we're fine. Each club will have a rule in place as to whether they accept them or not so check with your course manager.

 

[rosecott]

It is up to each individual club to introduce a local rule allowing their use in their competitions. No local rule - no using.

 

[Imurg]

All rangefinders/GPS are technically against the rules. The R&A have decreed that individual clubs can make a local rule allowing their use. This should be posted with other Local Rules either on the scorecard or on a Notice board.
Smartphone usage is a grey area - if your phone has a compass app (iPhone) for example then it is against the rules to use that phone as a gps system. Also any app that supplies gradient or temperature/weather/windspeed info in real time is a No-No.

 

[palindromicbob]

As others have said. It's all down to a local rule. Even then the device must only show distances. No wind direct, temp, humidity etc. The main dedicated GPS units are ok if local rules allow.

The smart phone issue should be clarified next year with the new rules book. We'll probably see an allowance for GPS apps such as Golfshot etc even if the phone has a compass. After all a compass really only shows information that is readily available. In fact I've seen stroke savers with direction on them! Just look at a tree and you can get a gauge of North South. You could even use your watch to get direction. What advantage there is to knowing compass directions is beyond me.

Also imagine the potential for some clubs. They could produce a stroke saver app instead of having a printed stroke saver. They could save on printing costs etc and visitors could purchase it before they even arrive to check out what they are getting in to.

 

[stevie_r]

As others have said. It's all down to a local rule. Even then the device must only show distances. No wind direct, temp, humidity etc. The main dedicated GPS units are ok if local rules allow.

The smart phone issue should be clarified next year with the new rules book. We'll probably see an allowance for GPS apps such as Golfshot etc even if the phone has a compass. After all a compass really only shows information that is readily available. In fact I've seen stroke savers with direction on them! Just look at a tree and you can get a gauge of North South. You could even use your watch to get direction. What advantage there is to knowing compass directions is beyond me.

Also imagine the potential for some clubs. They could produce a stroke saver app instead of having a printed stroke saver. They could save on printing costs etc and visitors could purchase it before they even arrive to check out what they are getting in to.

i fully concur with all of that

 

[Imurg]

Also imagine the potential for some clubs. They could produce a stroke saver app instead of having a printed stroke saver. They could save on printing costs etc and visitors could purchase it before they even arrive to check out what they are getting in to.

Not much use to those that don't have a Smartphone though.....

 

[MashieNiblick]

please enlighten me,

can i use it in a competition? and what rules allows/disallows it?

i have tried to search but cannot search for gps(3 letters) and the Search engine wont accept gps*

Phil

It comes under Rule 14-3 - Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment

http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateu...mp;subRuleNum=3