Would this be legal?

[muttleee]

You know how computer golf games have that little grid that comes up to show you the breaks on the green before you putt? If someone came up with a device that would scan the surface of the green and show you a similar grid for real, would it be legal? At first glance it sounds ridiculous to think that it might be...but if you're allowed to measure the distance to the hole electronically, why not the slope of the green? Is reading the green a more fundamental part of golf than judging the distance to your target?

 

[stevie_r]

I think the answer to your question would be a resounding no.

 

[chrisd]

I would say it wouldn't be legal

You are allowed to measure the distance but you cant use a device that incorperates a gradient measurer and, I guess thats what you are needing for measuring the slopes on greens.



Chris

 

[Mike_j_golf]

It would be ok to use in practice but anything that measures slope is banned.
Mike

 

[jammag]

As far as I am aware only distance measuring devices can be used. I think the main reason you cant use an iphone for this is because it has a compass to help tell you certain degrees of slope if you was to lay it on the green as such. So for now I believe it is illegal.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Nope, very illegal.

Rule 14-3 - Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment

 

[Curls]

Even if it were legal, which I can't imagine it would be, the physics of it would be difficult, you could do this with LIDAR (laser scanning) but it takes ages to scan the terrain and it has to be from a fixed elevated vantage point. Can't imagine it's doable with you standing on the green with a iphone in reasonable time. If you develop the app and its deemed legal, hats off!

 

[muttleee]

As far as I am aware only distance measuring devices can be used. I think the main reason you cant use an iphone for this is because it has a compass to help tell you certain degrees of slope if you was to lay it on the green as such. So for now I believe it is illegal.

You're not allowed to touch the line of your putt (except in certain specific circumstances) so you wouldn't be allowed to lay anything on the green itself anyway.

 

[muttleee]

Nope, very illegal.

Rule 14-3 - Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment

But that rule also says that (except as provided in the Rules) you must not use any artificial device for the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that might affect your play. If they can make an exception for DMDs, why not for a device that could read the green?

 

[Achilles]

I can't imagine a piece of kit that helps with this would be legal. If it were though, would you really use it?! Surely one of the best parts of the game is the satisfaction of playing well with as little help as possible. Obviously clubs and balls have come a long way but it begs the question, where do we draw the line with technology in the game? I personally like playing without a DMD as I know if I hit a green in regulation it’s down to my judgement being right or (more likely) getting lucky with my swing! Saying that, if I was offered a DMD device for free, I doubt I'd hesitate in taking it....does that make me a hypocrite?!

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Nope, very illegal.

Rule 14-3 - Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment

But that rule also says that (except as provided in the Rules) you must not use any artificial device for the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that might affect your play. If they can make an exception for DMDs, why not for a device that could read the green?

Don't know mate. Why not make an exception for a machine that swings the club for you..?

 

[palindromicbob]

DMD's are only allowed if the committee has a local rule so be careful if playing comps at strange courses.

It's only pressure from device manufactures that led to that exemption but really the advantage from knowing an exact yardage in minimal. Is it really going to make you play better to know the pin is exactly 156 yards away as opposed to the 160 you estimated from a stroke saver book or from pacing to yardage marker? Are you going to hit exactly 156?

A grid on the green however could be used to allow you to indicate a putting line (take reference from a blemish after reading it etc) and provide a significant advantage. Much more so than knowing a yardage would. You'd also need to know stimp readings to indicate likely break. It would not really be in the spirit of the game, (some would argue that DMD's aren't either!)

It may be a useful device in learning to putt and read greens but next you'll want someone to invent a remote control ball that will allow you to apply spin after it is struck.

If you really really want a grid on your greens, then stick to the computer games. Otherwise do what the pro's do, learn to putt.

EDIT: you can buy some portable lasers with grid patterns. These could I suppose be used to help gauge slopes etc a little.

 

[MashieNiblick]

When reading the arguments about whether DMDs should be allowed or not I have thought what would happen when this sort of technology becomes available (as I'm sure one day it will). Will we hear the same type of arguments that are used to justify DMDs? That it is only telling you the "facts" of the distance and gradients, you still have to hit the putt on the right line and at the right speed, it's not telling you any more than a caddy or a strokesaver would, etc.

Where do we draw the line? If it's OK (under a local rule) to measure distances why not gradients? People will argue it's inconsistent that you can use a device for one and not the other. Will the R&A cave in and make another exception? If so I think it will be a sad day for the game.

 

[Imurg]

The difference is that the ability under the rules to measure distance has always been allowed - strokesavers, 150 yard markers, pacing etc
The measure of gradients hasn't.

 

[MashieNiblick]

I agree that strokesavers don't "measure" gradients in the same way they show distances in numbers but they often have little lines to show where slopes are on greens and fairways. Also don't the tour caddies keep little books on which they show the slopes on the greens.

 

[muttleee]

If you really really want a grid on your greens, then stick to the computer games. Otherwise do what the pro's do, learn to putt.

I dont' even use a DMD so I'll stick to doing everything manually whether a gizmo like this is invented or not.