Slope Function

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Note the limitation in the Rules regarding green-reading materials. The same principles will ultimately apply.

Doesn’t really answer my question as much as hide behind a rule book interpretation.

At say 160yds player still has to evaluate the wind speed, direction , take in to account the slope, their own ability and decide what shot and trajectory to hit before executing it. Whilst the same principles may ultimately apply it doesn’t change the fact there are more factors to make a judgement on and no real advantage would be gained imo.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I've never used a range finder, hadn't actually realised that it could measure the slope on a green. I don't see it as any different to measuring distance to the pin or green, I use a GPS watch for example. It gives you information, whether you can do something with that information...........

When I first started playing none of these devices existed. You looked for a marker post and made an estimate of where your ball was in comparison to that. That was deemed a skill, it's gone now . I don't see adding slope to this as being any different. Not a big deal imo.

 

[Slab]

Never used range finder either. I suppose eventually slope will be permitted in the rules
And when the above happens (& if not already) that same algorithm function will be added to gps watches so instead of just front/middle back, there will be a second set of figs next to each that are slope adjusted

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

If you’d ask to see if my slope was on I could literally flick it off without you noticing as I handed you it, it’s that simple and quick to do on mine. Likewise if I had it on when I wasn’t supposed to , you’d never notice it was on as the hand covers it when measuring. Could easily be flicked on and off whilst in the hand without anyone seeing anything.

…and the player who did that will know that they were cheating…but that’s down to the player and their conscience.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I've never used a range finder, hadn't actually realised that it could measure the slope on a green. I don't see it as any different to measuring distance to the pin or green, I use a GPS watch for example. It gives you information, whether you can do something with that information...........

When I first started playing none of these devices existed. You looked for a marker post and made an estimate of where your ball was in comparison to that. That was deemed a skill, it's gone now . I don't see adding slope to this as being any different. Not a big deal imo.

Except that the main argument in support of allowing range finding/giving devices was that the player could determine the same information through pacing out the distance to distance markers - and so the device saved time. It is not possible for a player to determine the additional information given by the slope function of a device.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

…and the player who did that will know that they were cheating…but that’s down to the player and their conscience.

Exactly that’s no different to so many things in this game of honesty. Like I said I could easily do it if I wanted to but I won’t as I will never knowingly or on purpose break the rules

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Except that the main argument in support of allowing range finding/giving devices was that the player could determine the same information through pacing out the distance to distance markers - and so the device saved time. It is not possible for a player to determine the additional information given by the slope function of a device.

The player could walk up to or close to the green to try and gauge the same information. Instead they use this function.

Range finders are more accurate than a GPS that just tells you front, middle or back. GPS give more information than a simple marker on the course. All of these help to a degree but humans still have to make the shot afterwards. I personally don't have an issue with this extra layer of information, although I myself do not use it. You do have an issue. We just disagree

 

[Orikoru]

I've never used a range finder, hadn't actually realised that it could measure the slope on a green. I don't see it as any different to measuring distance to the pin or green, I use a GPS watch for example. It gives you information, whether you can do something with that information...........

When I first started playing none of these devices existed. You looked for a marker post and made an estimate of where your ball was in comparison to that. That was deemed a skill, it's gone now . I don't see adding slope to this as being any different. Not a big deal imo.

I'm pretty sure the embarrassment of looking like a total wally pulling a rangefinder out whilst on the green should prevent this from ever being used by anyone.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I'm pretty sure the embarrassment of looking like a total wally pulling a rangefinder out whilst on the green should prevent this from ever being used by anyone.

Isn't that sort of the point from a distance though? Or am I misunderstanding what this does? I don't mean for putts, although that would be funny.

 

[Burnsey]

I'm pretty sure the embarrassment of looking like a total wally pulling a rangefinder out whilst on the green should prevent this from ever being used by anyone.

I bought the Milessey IonMe2, which has the green function. Not tried it yet, as I can see the slope of a green, but it must be a thing I guess?

Playing Celtic, the point to point function was a godsend. From the cart path 150 yards from your ball, zap it, zap the pin and you get an accurate distance - take one club, hit it return to cart. Beats carrying an armful of club options to the ball and back.

I use a rangefinder more for hazards than pins. I'm not good enough to need to be any more accurate that GPS front, middle and back.

Slope is off too, as I do like to observe the rules and can see if something is up or downhill.

 

[sunshine]

If you’d ask to see if my slope was on I could literally flick it off without you noticing as I handed you it, it’s that simple and quick to do on mine. Likewise if I had it on when I wasn’t supposed to , you’d never notice it was on as the hand covers it when measuring. Could easily be flicked on and off whilst in the hand without anyone seeing anything.

It makes sense for Bushnell to make it easy to switch on/off. Otherwise people wouldn't use the slope function and wouldn't pay more for a rangefinder with the functionality. It facilitates cheating, but Bushnell are in the business of selling rangefinders not upholding the rules!

 

[Burnsey]

It makes sense for Bushnell to make it easy to switch on/off. Otherwise people wouldn't use the slope function and wouldn't pay more for a rangefinder with the functionality. It facilitates cheating, but Bushnell are in the business of selling rangefinders not upholding the rules!

To be fair, when on, there's a visible orange flash, so that is their commitment to making it easy to spot. Those with 'hidden' on/off are more to blame for that.

If it isn't allowed, it isn't allowed, but really don't see it as a big deal, however those are the rules.

 

[sunshine]

At say 160yds player still has to evaluate the wind speed, direction , take in to account the slope, their own ability and decide what shot and trajectory to hit before executing it. Whilst the same principles may ultimately apply it doesn’t change the fact there are more factors to make a judgement on and no real advantage would be gained imo.

Although I tend to agree with you, if there's no real advantage, why do you have a rangefinder with slope? And why do manufacturers sell them?

 

[D-S]

Except that the main argument in support of allowing range finding/giving devices was that the player could determine the same information through pacing out the distance to distance markers - and so the device saved time. It is not possible for a player to determine the additional information given by the slope function of a device.

However he could have this information written on a yardage chart / course planner or he can easily gain this information by using this exact function when not playing in a competition or in a practice round or even use the device prior to the round. Unlike wind and temperature the distance up or down to a green or landing zone doesn’t change by the day.

 

[D-S]

Although I tend to agree with you, if there's no real advantage, why do you have a rangefinder with slope? And why do manufacturers sell them?

Because it’s an extra feature that they can offer and might come in handy once a blue moon just like many features of DMDs. If they marketed a rangefinder that only gave slope and not yardages to fixed points such as the pin, they wouldn’t sell a single unit.
As an aside I played Farmlinks in Alabama a few years ago and on a drop par 3 they had a sign saying today’s yardage was 162 but sloped as playing 147 - I wonder if we all broke the rules by reading it. Great course though.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

It makes sense for Bushnell to make it easy to switch on/off. Otherwise people wouldn't use the slope function and wouldn't pay more for a rangefinder with the functionality. It facilitates cheating, but Bushnell are in the business of selling rangefinders not upholding the rules!

I don’t have a bushnell i have a Milessy recently purchased superb bit of kit, has pin lock, slope and many other functions £75. It doesn’t need to be expensive to have the bells and whistles people want.

Although I tend to agree with you, if there's no real advantage, why do you have a rangefinder with slope? And why do manufacturers sell them?

Why do manufacturers bring out drivers that go supposedly 10yards further every year! The advantage gained is no different imo.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

However he could have this information written on a yardage chart / course planner or he can easily gain this information by using this exact function when not playing in a competition or in a practice round or even use the device prior to the round. Unlike wind and temperature the distance up or down to a green or landing zone doesn’t change by the day.

…and the yardage charts that pros use in comps where a rangefinder is not allowed have this information. But these are incredibly detailed and must cost a packet to produce…not something your typical go,f club would or could justify doing.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

The player could walk up to or close to the green to try and gauge the same information. Instead they use this function.

Range finders are more accurate than a GPS that just tells you front, middle or back. GPS give more information than a simple marker on the course. All of these help to a degree but humans still have to make the shot afterwards. I personally don't have an issue with this extra layer of information, although I myself do not use it. You do have an issue. We just disagree

Have you ever seen a player actually do this…in all my years playing I don’t think I have - and I can’t imagine anyone ever doing it,

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Have you ever seen a player actually do this…in all my years playing I don’t think I have - and I can’t imagine anyone ever doing it,

Yes many times in scratch comps and it’s takes a ridiculous amount of time. Another reason why slope should be allowed !

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Have you ever seen a player actually do this…in all my years playing I don’t think I have - and I can’t imagine anyone ever doing it,

Did you not learn from your battle against GPS and range finders ?