Which phone for golf apps?

[griffgolf]

Hi all,

I am looking to get a new phone but preferrably one which will download golf distances apps.

I know of iphone4 but not sure of any others which will do the job.

Does anyone know which phones to get and which apps are available?

Cheers

griffgolf

 

[Oddsocks]

From what I have seen most other smart phone use android operating software. I've got the iPhone 4 and use my caddie pro, it's free and gas score card facility as well as stat manager and report facility, think it stores 700 rounds. Offers more than a sky caddie for free, bit not allowed in comp use due to the compass software on the phone. I'm sure r and a don't allow any phone gps in comps although it's being looked at

 

[griffgolf]

I am probably being thick here but can I use an ipod touch to work on the course with a downloaded app?

 

[Oddsocks]

I don't think the touch had gps, although maybe wrong

 

[haplesshacker]

If it still has a compass built into it, it's irrelevant whether it has GPS or not. The thing is still illegal for comp use.

I was using my iPhone 3GS last night with mycaddiepro app. My mate was using his Skycaddie SGX which he's just bought. Let's put it this way, he wasn't at all pleased that mine was no less accurate than his SGX, and I had a pic of the hole as well as a moving target line for distances to various hazards, and for lay up distances. Okay, the aerial shot was a little out of date, (there were one or two bunkers missing, but I knew were there anyway!).

He's wondering why he spent £100's on this thing. I did explain that under current rules, I can't use my phone in a comp.

 

[Oddsocks]

That's the only drawback.

Hapless see pm buddy

 

[haplesshacker]

Replied.

 

[griffgolf]

If the compass is the only thing that makes it illegal does anyone know which phone can have the compass taken out to enable it to be used legally in a comp?

 

[haplesshacker]

IMHO of course. I would like to think that The R&A will be reviewing the rule so that golf specific apps can be used in the near future. But I suspect that some lobbyists at Skycaddie could well be working towards that not happening!

Sorry, I can't answer your question. I only have an iPhone.

 

[Oddsocks]

If the compass is the only thing that makes it illegal does anyone know which phone can have the compass taken out to enable it to be used legally in a comp?

If I remember right because the smart phones have the ability to have the compass app added whether it be android or iPhone, I'm sure all phones are not allowed, try search on the randa.org website or email them. They normally answer with 2 working days

 

[griffgolf]

Thanks guys for your info so far

If anyone can shed any more light on this I would appreciate it.

I will fire off an email to the R&A and see what their response is and report back on here.

Cheers

griffgolf

 

[bignev]

Try an htc wildfire or Disire they both can accept apps

 

[griffgolf]

Try an htc wildfire or Disire they both can accept apps

Do they have a compass?

 

[paul1874]

Try an htc wildfire or Disire they both can accept apps

Do they have a compass?

HTC desire doesn't have a compass

 

[Imurg]

From my understanding, having been in contact with R&A, is that having a phone that is capable of downloading apps that could break the rules does not make the device illegal.
It's actually having the apps already on the phone that matters.
So an iPhone, with compass, is illegal. The HTC Desire, that doesn't, seems to be legal although a compass could easily be aquired.
Confused?

 

[SammmeBee]

The EGU say this in their Championship Rules:

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES
a) DMDs are allowed: see the EGU’s Hard Card for Local Rule 10.4
b) Mobile Phones used as a Distance-Measuring Device (DMD): If you use a mobile phone as a DMD, the phone must not have any other feature or downloaded application which can gauge or measure other conditions that might affect your play,
for example gradient (e.g. a spirit level function), windspeed or temperature. If the phone has any such non-conforming feature or downloaded application, regardless of
whether it is used and regardless of whether it is in some way “switched off”, you will be disqualified. If in doubt, don’t use the phone as a DMD.

 

[griffgolf]

The EGU say this in their Championship Rules:

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES
a) DMDs are allowed: see the EGU’s Hard Card for Local Rule 10.4
b) Mobile Phones used as a Distance-Measuring Device (DMD): If you use a mobile phone as a DMD, the phone must not have any other feature or downloaded application which can gauge or measure other conditions that might affect your play,
for example gradient (e.g. a spirit level function), windspeed or temperature. If the phone has any such non-conforming feature or downloaded application, regardless of
whether it is used and regardless of whether it is in some way “switched off”, you will be disqualified. If in doubt, don’t use the phone as a DMD.

So after reading that I would say that the HTC Desire is legal

 

[griffgolf]

Now confused again

I just looked up the HTC Desire and it has a digital compass

http://www.htc.com/uk/product/desire/specification.html

 

[Oddsocks]

Technically all phones allow you to check the weather by Internet connection so all would be illegal