using a mobile phone app in a comp

[patricks148]

is it within the rules to use a mobile phone with a GPS app in a comp?

had an instance of this today everyone thought it was not allowed but the person in question was 100% he could use it.

anyone know?

 

[Colin L]

There seems to a common misunderstanding that you cannot use a mobile phone in common with any device, if it had in it any app or function which is not permitted. This advice from the R&A should help you:

http://www.randa.org/en/RandA/News/...Equipment Documents/RandA-DMD-13mar-2014.ashx

And a reminder that a conforming distance measuring device is only permitted if there is a local rule in place that allows them.

 

[chrisd]

Given the complexity of that advice I'd never query the use of any device now!

 

[Colin L]

Apologies - what I wrote above isn't clear. Some words seem to have disappeared between mind and fingers. It should read as below which I hope is now intelligible.

There seems to be a common misunderstanding that you cannot use any mobile phone for measuring distance. In common with any device, a phone is only non-conforming if it has in it an app or function which is not permitted. This advice from the R&A should help you:

http://www.randa.org/en/RandA/News/N...3mar-2014.ashx


And a reminder that a conforming distance measuring device is only permitted if there is a local rule in place that allows them.

 

[Imurg]

Here's a perfect example of making a rule as complicated as possible.
It's such a vague statement, with no real facts or specifics.
Your average golfer, looking at the advice from the R&A won't have a clue if their phone can or can't be used.
Phones are OK if they don't contain apps or functions that are not allowed. How does someone know if the functions are allowable if the rule makers don't specify what is and what isn't?
I appreciate that apps and functions are evolving at a faster rate than the rules can accommodate but without specific " this app is OK but this one isn't" it's a lottery. And with phones being changed every year or 2, technology progressing at a vast rate of knots, without poring over the specification of your phone on the off chance it may or may not be "legal" isn't something that your average Joe is goingnto want to do.
In a game where rules are very specific as to what is and what isn't allowable, such a wishy-washy cop-out like this is extraordinary.

 

[Foxholer]

Here's a perfect example of making a rule as complicated as possible.
It's such a vague statement, with no real facts or specifics.
Your average golfer, looking at the advice from the R&A won't have a clue if their phone can or can't be used.
Phones are OK if they don't contain apps or functions that are not allowed. How does someone know if the functions are allowable if the rule makers don't specify what is and what isn't?
I appreciate that apps and functions are evolving at a faster rate than the rules can accommodate but without specific " this app is OK but this one isn't" it's a lottery. And with phones being changed every year or 2, technology progressing at a vast rate of knots, without poring over the specification of your phone on the off chance it may or may not be "legal" isn't something that your average Joe is goingnto want to do.
In a game where rules are very specific as to what is and what isn't allowable, such a wishy-washy cop-out like this is extraordinary.

That's precisely why the rules-makers have done what they have done! It's pretty consistent with the way they have handled both the Rules (as an exception list) and other conformation issues.

It's not their role to monitor the apps. Simply to say what is/isn't allowed and perhaps examine (at cost) specific versions of devices.

It is the user's responsibility to determine whether a particular device/app is conforming. If there's any doubt, then there's a route for confirmation - albeit pretty cumbersome.

The main problem with DMD Apps is that they are highly likely to change over time, which may make their 'conforming status' change too! Phones, being hardware, won't change status though!

I'm pretty sure there are lists of phones and apps (on here even) that are Ok! Duncan and Pal'Bob could help.

As for the OP...Possibly worth raising the issue with 'The Committee'. If the player is that certain it's conforming, then there should be no objection. The general 'Phones/Apps are non-conforming so not allowed' no longer applies.

 

[patricks148]

Apologies - what I wrote above isn't clear. Some words seem to have disappeared between mind and fingers. It should read as below which I hope is now intelligible.

There seems to be a common misunderstanding that you cannot use any mobile phone for measuring distance. In common with any device, a phone is only non-conforming if it has in it an app or function which is not permitted. This advice from the R&A should help you:

http://www.randa.org/en/RandA/News/N...3mar-2014.ashx


And a reminder that a conforming distance measuring device is only permitted if there is a local rule in place that allows them.

nothing comes up on that link Colin

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I know palendromicbob was keeping a up to date list of conforming and non conforming devices, I cant quickly find it, but send him a Pm and im sure he can help

 

[duncan mackie]

I know palendromicbob was keeping a up to date list of conforming and non conforming devices, I cant quickly find it, but send him a Pm and im sure he can help

hugely general summary but he goes again ....

if it's an iPhone it's probably OK as a multifunction device - they don't have hardware sensors that would mean that use of the device as a DMD, where permitted, is a breach. Many of the others do, but a lot less than it used to be as building in all these sensors such as thermometer and barometers has gone out of fashion.

the actual DMD app is, and always will be, a bigger problem to keep on top of as the apps get developed to deliver more and more to the golfer to attract purchases; such features as being able to program club selection based on distance shown being examples of such developments that would make the use of the app a breach. Few are capable of providing slope information in association with a phone, this is more the domain of the laser devices.

as a reminder, access to weather information, even local conditions, on the phone or other device, whether being used as a DMD or not, is not a problem at all. Using a phone that has a thermometer, barometer or anemometer as a phone is not a problem unless you access an app that shows this information which is a breach, as would be using it as a DMD (even if you didn't access that data).

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I have an idea that would remove the problem in one fell swoop

 

[duncan mackie]

I have an idea that would remove the problem in one fell swoop

there is no more of a problem that that which already exists with the thermometer attached to my car key fob...

 

[la_lucha]

reading the linked, having a compass/spirit level on my I-Phone is not a breach.

http://www.randa.org/en/RandA/News/News/2014/January/~/media/RandA/Downloads%20and%20Free%20Publications/2014/DMD%20flowchart%20v2_Jan%2014.ashx

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

there is no more of a problem that that which already exists with the thermometer attached to my car key fob...

Some folks do seem to have problems with them though - despite the guidance being there and not that difficult to understand and apply to your own device.

 

[TheJezster]

I have an idea that would remove the problem in one fell swoop

Yes, exactly. Just allow them! It's not rocket science is it?

All this faffing around, with so many people not having a clue whats allowed and whats not. I'm with Chris, if someone wants to use one, I'm not going to get involved, I dont know what is and what isnt allowed, so will assume they have checked.

 

[chrisd]

Yes, exactly. Just allow them! It's not rocket science is it?

All this faffing around, with so many people not having a clue whats allowed and whats not. I'm with Chris, if someone wants to use one, I'm not going to get involved, I dont know what is and what isnt allowed, so will assume they have checked.

Exactly!

I doubt that most of the phone users know the rules and how, or if, theirs comply, but they sure took offence when I queried the use of phones when they were all banned so I have no plan to second guess the apps they might use.

 

[duncan mackie]

reading the linked, having a compass/spirit level on my I-Phone is not a breach.

http://www.randa.org/en/RandA/News/News/2014/January/~/media/RandA/Downloads%20and%20Free%20Publications/2014/DMD%20flowchart%20v2_Jan%2014.ashx

it was the (effectively) removal of compass overall, and clarification regarding the sensor that enabled spirit level apps, but also drives screen orientation, that led the way to the position outlined in post #9...

 

[la_lucha]

it was the (effectively) removal of compass overall, and clarification regarding the sensor that enabled spirit level apps, but also drives screen orientation, that led the way to the position outlined in post #9...

Great I may print that page out and start using my Iphone then. If people question it i can prove that it's ok.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Yes, exactly. Just allow them! It's not rocket science is it?

All this faffing around, with so many people not having a clue whats allowed and whats not. I'm with Chris, if someone wants to use one, I'm not going to get involved, I dont know what is and what isnt allowed, so will assume they have checked.

Not quite what I was thinking...

 

[patricks148]

Not quite what I was thinking...

i think you have to just stop being bitter about DMD's and get yourself one, you never know it might stop you holding up your home course on a Sunday, while you pace out distance

 

[chrisd]

,

Not quite what I was thinking...

I wonder what you were thinking SILH - oh yes, 14 pages of "ban dmd's" and arguments in support of them - been there , done that and got the Bushnell!