Slope Measurement On Distance Device - What To Do

[El Diablo]

Playing a drawn medal yesterday with someone I rarely play with and I zap a par 3 mentioning the distance and he nicely then added that this ignored the slope of 12 yds - he was clearly completely unaware that slope measuring devices are not allowed under the rules of golf though I of course highlighted this specifically.

He shot beyond handicap but in theory should be dq'd (I did not mark his card) and I know he won a recent comp very convincingly.

The value of these devices is probably limited at our level (one off knowledge gain on a small number of holes) but not playing with him regularly I would not know if he continues to use this device (given a £250+ purchase that is a tricky decision on his part) in comps.

Should I take any further action e.g. mention to club officials specifically, or generally suggest one of those reiteration of rules (is part of local rule for distance devices) with no names as come across someone.

Interested in opinions.

 

[Waitforme]

Was he using the device or perhaps he knew from bounce games that it has a 12 yard slope ?

 

[ruff-driver]

Hi, was he using said device during the comp or had he done his homework during a practice round ?

 

[El Diablo]

Using the device as we stood there - clearly had no idea it was not allowed in a comp.

 

[seochris]

how could he not know...its usually plastered all over the packaging "not eligible for tournament play" or words to that effect.

 

[duncan mackie]

how could he not know...its usually plastered all over the packaging "not eligible for tournament play" or words to that effect.

Exactly...

As to what to do, the line " I think you will find that you are not allowed to use that device during a competition" should be used straight away. This avoids any risk of an argument as if he says he thinks it's OK you can leave it then and sort it out later. If he does respond strongly you simply suggest that he you don't make the rules and that he should take it up with the committee ie all roads lead to the committee but you really should mention it at the time. If you don't do anything and sign his card....you would be DQ too.

 

[patricks148]

ive the Bushnell Tour Z and that has a red plate on the front to show slope and black for legal us with no slope.

if i saw anyone using the red plate in a comp i would mention it.

 

[Oddsocks]

I contemplated borrowing slope unit just for a bounce game to get the accurate +\- distances where applicable. Maybe he has done the same 😉

 

[nickjdavis]

ive the Bushnell Tour Z and that has a red plate on the front to show slope and black for legal us with no slope.

if i saw anyone using the red plate in a comp i would mention it.

Best tread carefully before going in "all guns blazing" ....the Tour v4 slope also has a red plate front.....but unlike the Tour Z it doesn't have an interchangeable front plate.....but you can disable the slope function when you turn the device on.

 

[patricks148]

Best tread carefully before going in "all guns blazing" ....the Tour v4 slope also has a red plate front.....but unlike the Tour Z it doesn't have an interchangeable front plate.....but you can disable the slope function when you turn the device on.

is that still legal to use in a comp though??

 

[nickjdavis]

is that still legal to use in a comp though??

Yes. The rule changed at the start of this year to allow players to use devices that had non conforming features as long as they didn't actually use the features that were non conforming.

 

[Oddsocks]

But how do you know that he has that feature turned off 😉

 

[walshawwhippet]

But how do you know that he has that feature turned off 😉

The same way you know he hasn't improved his lie in the rough, when your 20yrd away on the fairway. Integrity.