The demise of the armchair referee!

[Andy808]

Along with the lifting of the ban on compasses the R&A and USGA have agreed to stop the use of slow-mo and HD video as evidence against rule breaches that would be difficult if not impossible to spot in person or on standard tv.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/25006871

If your just watching golf to spot player indiscretions then maybe it's time to watch a different sport.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I'm guessing it's pure coincidence that it was something that caught Woods out and now they are changing it :smirk:

 

[One Planer]

I'm guessing it's pure coincidence that it was something that caught Woods out and now they are changing it :smirk:

Are you suggesting the powers that be are, perhaps, a little fickle?

 

[garyinderry]

proper order! we don't need better than human eyesight telling us a ball moved by a dimple.


get on with it. play golf :thup:

 

[Andy808]

He's not the only one this year or for the last few years but it has highlighted there is a problem with the current system. It has struck me as unfair that the players who are all over the screen while playing will have most, if not every, shot scrutinised by the public but players down the leaderboard will only have themselves, their playing partner and a ref to decide if there has been a rules infringement and lets be honest how many players watch their opponents while they are preparing for a shot as they are normally working out what they want to do. In the interest of fairness I see it as a good progression in the game.

 

[pbrown7582]

proper order! we don't need better than human eyesight telling us a ball moved by a dimple.


get on with it. play golf :thup:

Exactly doesnt matter who it is tiger padraig or uncle tom cobley dont think it needs the intervention of hd tv to decide whether a ball has moved half a dimple.

 

[mefromhere]

Where does it say you can now use a compass?

 

[CMAC]

Where does it say you can now use a compass?

more importantly WHY would you use a compass

 

[duncan mackie]

Where does it say you can now use a compass?

revision to 14-3/4

14-3/4
Use of Compass During Round

Q.A player uses a compass during a round to assist him in determining wind direction or the direction of the grain in the greens or for some other similar reason. Is the player in breach of Rule 14-3?

A.Yes. A compass is considered to be an artificial device and must not be used for these purposes. (old)

A.No. A compass only provides directional information and does not gauge or measure variable conditions or assist the player in his play (revised big time)

my italics

 

[mefromhere]

revision to 14-3/4

14-3/4
Use of Compass During Round

Q.A player uses a compass during a round to assist him in determining wind direction or the direction of the grain in the greens or for some other similar reason. Is the player in breach of Rule 14-3?

A.Yes. A compass is considered to be an artificial device and must not be used for these purposes. (old)

A.No. A compass only provides directional information and does not gauge or measure variable conditions or assist the player in his play (revised big time)

my italics

Must have missed that one. Thanks. And as for why ... Drawing perfect circles of course ;-)

 

[tsped83]

more importantly WHY would you use a compass

I often need a compass, map, whistle and breadcrumbs to find my way back to the fairway after an errant drive. Happens a lot.

 

[Region3]

I'm guessing it's pure coincidence that it was something that caught Woods out and now they are changing it :smirk:

From memory, Woods has fallen foul of after the fact decisions three times this year. I don't believe that any of them would apply to the new rule about not being able to tell without tv.

One bad drop where he thought he was dropping 2yds back from the original spot.
Taking relief where none was due.
The only one that could possibly apply was when the ball moved when he moved a twig, and as much as I like TW I find it hard to believe he didn't see that move, unless he was distracted by something.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

From memory, Woods has fallen foul of after the fact decisions three times this year. I don't believe that any of them would apply to the new rule about not being able to tell without tv.

One bad drop where he thought he was dropping 2yds back from the original spot.
Taking relief where none was due.
The only one that could possibly apply was when the ball moved when he moved a twig, and as much as I like TW I find it hard to believe he didn't see that move, unless he was distracted by something.

I was being sarcastic

 

[Region3]

I was being sarcastic

Misinterpreted then, I apologise.

There will undoubtedly though, be people that would say it in all seriousness!

 

[SocketRocket]

I often need a compass, map, whistle and breadcrumbs to find my way back to the fairway after an errant drive. Happens a lot.

Get one of these GPS units. "At the next tree turn right and proceed for 50 yards, take the second mound on the left and after 20 yards you will now be on the fairway"

 

[Sweep]

revision to 14-3/4

14-3/4
Use of Compass During Round

Q.A player uses a compass during a round to assist him in determining wind direction or the direction of the grain in the greens or for some other similar reason. Is the player in breach of Rule 14-3?

A.Yes. A compass is considered to be an artificial device and must not be used for these purposes. (old)

A.No. A compass only provides directional information and does not gauge or measure variable conditions or assist the player in his play (revised big time)

my italics

To be clear then, if they are going to allow compasses and weather reports, does this mean it will be OK to use a DMD app on a smartphone in competition?

 

[Hacker Khan]

Glad to hear this. Any sport in which the outcome can be changed 5 hours after it has finished by some sad individual sitting at home noticing minuscule movements in the ball that can not be seen in real life whilst the sporting contest is occurring should be ashamed of itself.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

To be clear then, if they are going to allow compasses and weather reports, does this mean it will be OK to use a DMD app on a smartphone in competition?

No, the rule on DMDs hasn't changed.

 

[patricks148]

What i want to know is how do you get the Rules Officials phone number in the first place, or Sky's for that matter, you would be on hold for hours normally???

 

[ger147]

No, the rule on DMDs hasn't changed.

I wouldn't be so sure.

The 3 items that made phones illegal as DMD's were weather apps, compasses and level functionality. Compasses and weather apps are now legal, so if your phone doesn't have level functionality, there is nothing left to deem it illegal as a DMD?