Smartphones now legal

Huawei U 8850 (found in a drawer) is legal so i got myself 3 different compliant apps to compare. Still leaning towards the idea of getting a skycaddie. The apps relay on data connection for any of the cool features and since I play a lot in the republic that could get costly as well as frustration since data connection in most of Ireland is pathetic.
 
Imurg said:
So it's even more down to interpretation than it was before....or is it?
It's not straight forward - was it ever?
If some phones are OK and some aren't it's a recipe for disaster. There will be arguments on and off the course....
This shouldn't be left in a situation where someone isn't sure if their device is legal or not - it should be obvious.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly, either you can use a smart phone or not.

One simple point in the rules Smartphone Can/Cannot* be used as a dmd

*(delete as required)
 
rulefan said:
Where on the website does it say that?
I can only see the following in the flowchart.


Does the device contain other applications or features which, if used in a specific way, could assist the player in his play (e.g., camera, video camera or spirit level)?

Yes

NO BREACH OF LOCAL RULE
Provided applications or features are not used during a round in such a way that might assist the player in his play e.g., videoing swing to analyse fault or gauging green contours.
Click to expand...

..and I'll add in respect of camera use (as this is the way golf apps could go if technology limitations are not defined). What use a still camera today - not a lot? Well consider scene matching.

Remote piloted air vehicle is guided to fly down a hole from tee to green at height of say 1.8m taking continuous video shot towards the green. This is done multiple times - let's say with flight tracks 1m apart. These videos are then sampled to give a set of images of photos towards the green on a 1m x 1m grid over the complete hole. The information is stored in Cloud Storage and therefore accessible if internet access is permitted.

You take a camera on course with you and from wherever you are on the fairway you take a photograph towards the hole, Digital scene matching could then match your photo to the stored image database and identify where you are on the fairway. Given GPS accuracy is not to 1m scene matching technology could provide a more accurate distance to go measurement to the player.

Now this is still only providing distance information - so nothing new on what we can already get through GPS/DMD devices. My point simply observing that just because we do not today see any advantages or uses of a particular technology (in this case a camera) that does not mean to say that some clever dude won't come up with something if we allow it's use. Allow it today - and you are hostage to fortune
 
Last edited:
pbrown7582 said:
That'll be similar to driver issues is that R580 confirming or non conforming..
Click to expand...
And the answer to that question is 'Yes'!

And you can tell which by checking whether there's an 'inner' ring of grooves. Yes is conforming; no is non-conforming. Just like the rather helpful pics on the R&A website. Same applies to several TM R5nn models. All R510TPs are conforming (and they have those grooves) as they were a 'Tour Spec' setup anyway - and a classic head!
 
Last edited:
Sadly this sums up part of why newcomers find golf a struggle. How many other sports can have a 7 page discussion on something as simple as whether you can use an app on a phone or not and still not have a definitive answer.

Golf needs to simplify the rule book dramatically to my mind and stop issuing vague or ambiguous advice. I appreciate the comments on what smartphones may be able to do in the future but the question is now. What we need is a yes/no answer or a list of conforming/non conforming models that are on the market at the moment.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
..and I'll add in respect of camera use (as this is the way golf apps could go if technology limitations are not defined). What use a still camera today - not a lot? Well consider scene matching.

Remote piloted air vehicle is guided to fly down a hole from tee to green at height of say 1.8m taking continuous video shot towards the green. This is done multiple times - let's say with flight tracks 1m apart. These videos are then sampled to give a set of images of photos towards the green on a 1m x 1m grid over the complete hole. The information is stored in Cloud Storage and therefore accessible if internet access is permitted.

You take a camera on course with you and from wherever you are on the fairway you take a photograph towards the hole, Digital scene matching could then match your photo to the stored image database and identify where you are on the fairway. Given GPS accuracy is not to 1m scene matching technology could provide a more accurate distance to go measurement to the player.

Now this is still only providing distance information - so nothing new on what we can already get through GPS/DMD devices. My point simply observing that just because we do not today see any advantages or uses of a particular technology (in this case a camera) that does not mean to say that some clever dude won't come up with something if we allow it's use. Allow it today - and you are hostage to fortune
Click to expand...

Think you want to copyright that idea straight away before someone else nicks it lol. We get it you dont like them, you dont want them, you dont think anyone else should have them and you will make up even more bizarre stories to defend your position, get over it
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
..and I'll add in respect of camera use (as this is the way golf apps could go if technology limitations are not defined). What use a still camera today - not a lot? Well consider scene matching.

Remote piloted air vehicle is guided to fly down a hole from tee to green at height of say 1.8m taking continuous video shot towards the green. This is done multiple times - let's say with flight tracks 1m apart. These videos are then sampled to give a set of images of photos towards the green on a 1m x 1m grid over the complete hole. The information is stored in Cloud Storage and therefore accessible if internet access is permitted.

You take a camera on course with you and from wherever you are on the fairway you take a photograph towards the hole, Digital scene matching could then match your photo to the stored image database and identify where you are on the fairway. Given GPS accuracy is not to 1m scene matching technology could provide a more accurate distance to go measurement to the player.

Now this is still only providing distance information - so nothing new on what we can already get through GPS/DMD devices. My point simply observing that just because we do not today see any advantages or uses of a particular technology (in this case a camera) that does not mean to say that some clever dude won't come up with something if we allow it's use. Allow it today - and you are hostage to fortune
Click to expand...

That's Irrelevant Cobblers and you know it!

As you have no interest in using a DMD anyway, you should just stay away from these 'discussions'. Anything else is 'trolling'!
 
Foxholer said:
That's Irrelevant Cobblers and you know it!

As you have no interest in using a DMD anyway, you should just stay away from these 'discussions'. Anything else is 'trolling'!
Click to expand...

Woah - I am simply adding my bit to a discussion around technology on smartphones - suggesting why the governing bodies might be trying hard to be very specific about limiting use of technology that is and could be on phones. All I said in my post in respect of cameras is that cameras may not appear to provide anything of use to the golfer today so why do the R&A even mention them? - and I suggest that they mention them as they could actually have uses that we today cannot foresee.

My mention of GPSs and DMDs was simply to indicate how photographic images could be used (in conjunction with GPS or stand-alone) to provide the player with a more accurate distance measurement than GPS alone - or indeed to provide distance measurement when GPS is not available for whatever reason (or your GPS device is bust). I don't think such scene matching golf apps exist - but they could. And as potentially there could be other unforeseen uses camera imagery could be put to - and the R&A see a risk in that - they ban the use of cameras for golf-specific purposes unspecified.

Not expecting an apology :)
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Not expecting an apology :)
Click to expand...

Nor will one be forthcoming - as there is nothing to consider apologising for!

Scene matching might(or might not) be something relevant to Cruise Missile targeting, but it's only infinitesimally remotely possible to be something used for Golf distance calculation - imo of course! To suggest anything more strikes me as patently ridiculous (certainly currently), especially from a committed abstainer from DMD use in the first place!

The specification of limitations of use of Cameras seems to me to be more simply a specification of how known facilities available on devices can/cannot be used. Taking snaps of the beauty of the course - fine. Taking videos of players in such a way as it can be used to assist during the round - Not allowed!
 
Foxholer said:
The specification of limitations of use of Cameras seems to me to be more simply a specification of how known facilities available on devices can/cannot be used. Taking snaps of the beauty of the course - fine. Taking videos of players in such a way as it can be used to assist during the round - Not allowed!
Click to expand...

How about taking video footage of a competitor so that you can mock him mercilessly at a later date...(Not mentioning any names Scouser)...:whistle:
 
GB72 said:
Sadly this sums up part of why newcomers find golf a struggle. How many other sports can have a 7 page discussion on something as simple as whether you can use an app on a phone or not and still not have a definitive answer. .....
Click to expand...

I think there are some reasonably definite answers in this thread, based on the flowchart . But why not ask for an answer on your specific phone? Post the make and model of your phone and list any apps it has that might or might not make it non-coforming for use as a DMD and I'm sure amongst us we'll come up with a clear answer for you. Mention has been made of drivers: you wouldn't be expected to carry the details in your head of what comprises a conforming driver; you would rely on other people to guide you.
 
bluewolf said:
How about taking video footage of a competitor so that you can mock him mercilessly at a later date...(Not mentioning any names Scouser)...:whistle:
Click to expand...

That may or may not be in keeping with the rules and/or etiquette of the game, but it still MUST be done!! :D
 
Colin L said:
I think there are some reasonably definite answers in this thread, based on the flowchart . But why not ask for an answer on your specific phone? Post the make and model of your phone and list any apps it has that might or might not make it non-coforming for use as a DMD and I'm sure amongst us we'll come up with a clear answer for you. Mention has been made of drivers: you wouldn't be expected to carry the details in your head of what comprises a conforming driver; you would rely on other people to guide you.
Click to expand...

OK, lets try this, spec of my phone attached, am I allowed to use it as a GPS?

http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_sp-5364.php
 
fundy said:
OK, lets try this, spec of my phone attached, am I allowed to use it as a GPS?

http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_sp-5364.php
Click to expand...


IMO yes, providing the Camera and the "Accelerometer, gyro" functions (which I believe are at the heart of the level feature) are not used.



Does the device contain other applications or features which, if used in a specific way, could assist the player in his play (e.g., camera, video camera or spirit level)?

YES

NO BREACH OF LOCAL RULE
Provided applications or features are not used during a round in such a way that might assist the player in his play e.g., videoing swing to analyse fault or gauging green contours
 
fundy said:
OK, lets try this, spec of my phone attached, am I allowed to use it as a GPS?

http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_sp-5364.php
Click to expand...

doublebogey7 said:
Seems to me that you can provided you don't have apps loaded that may make it non conforming
Click to expand...

rulefan said:
IMO yes, providing the Camera and the "Accelerometer, gyro" functions (which I believe are at the heart of the level feature) are not used.



Does the device contain other applications or features which, if used in a specific way, could assist the player in his play (e.g., camera, video camera or spirit level)?

YES

NO BREACH OF LOCAL RULE
Provided applications or features are not used during a round in such a way that might assist the player in his play e.g., videoing swing to analyse fault or gauging green contours
Click to expand...

So as Steve's phone is a pretty modern, all-singing, all-dancing Smartphone, that must make virtually every Smartphone conforming...?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
L.A.B. Sold
2 3 4
Replies
68
Views
5K
nickjdavis
N
D
Tracker dots on clubface
2 3 4
Replies
62
Views
9K
salfordlad
S
SwingsitlikeHogan
Teeing Area Questions
2 3
Replies
40
Views
8K
rulefan
R
H
Difference between men’s and ladies clubs
Replies
14
Views
2K
Orikoru
Orikoru
balaclava
Winter Wheels
2
Replies
23
Views
2K
Oddsocks
Oddsocks
Top