Using Rangefinders and GPS in Competition

coillcam · 01-04-2023 9:56am #1

Looking to get an answer on what's allowed for inter clubs only (not local rules).

I've had three different comments recently.

1. No distance measuring devices.

2. GPS and Lasers allowed if they only can measure distance (the device must have no functionality for slope, wind, or recommended club).

3. GPS and Lasers with the extra functions are permitted once these functions are disabled and not used.

A quick search online throws up conflicting info from clubs/usga/r&a. The actual golf rules app doesn't clarify but mentions to check usga/r&a website for examples. The Golf Ireland inter club handook doesn't seem to have a reference to this either.

Granted I've been searching on my phone which hasn't helped. Any inter clubs veterans or captains able to clarify?

Seve OB · 01-04-2023 3:04pm

3 I think

Golfgraffix · 01-04-2023 4:52pm

option 3, but I’m sure the wording for disabled is gone. As lots of phone features can’t be disabled. Not 100% sure though,

copacetic · 02-04-2023 7:19pm

It’s 3 for sure, the same as any GUI qualifying club comp. most apps like arcoss etc have a competition mode and and rangefinders with slope have a clear indicator on outside when it’s enabled.

prawnsambo · 03-04-2023 10:15am

It's under the R&A rules of golf section 4.3a. The inter-club rules no longer include it as it's just referred to under the blanket rules of golf requirement.

billy3sheets · 03-04-2023 8:49pm

@prawnsambo that R&A 4.3a rule definition is quite vague and I'd read it that it was only a device which gave a putting line that was disallowed. Very hard to see how a rangefinder with slope measurement could be illegal 🤔

prawnsambo · 04-04-2023 9:32am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120436962#Comment_120436962

Not sure how you can say that.

coillcam · 04-04-2023 5:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120438183#Comment_120438183

I'm ignoring the ball marker alignment piece but I found that funny.

It just says you can't use equipment to measure slope, line or interpret club selection. So if I have a device that can measure slope as long as I don't use that function I'm ok. Eg the slope button is turned off and obviously visible on the side of my laser so I'm ok. Similarly, if my watch is in tournament mode the screen is different and I don't get elevation or club recommendations.

This is the only recent-ish piece of info I can find that confirms my laser or watch would be legal in USGA terms once prohibited functionality isn't accessed (turned off in my case). The only modification seems to be for a local rule which bans distance-measuring devices outright.

https://www.usga.org/content/dam/usga/pdf/2019/rules/2019_UPDATE_USGA_DMD_FINAL.pdf

A little more info here too:

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/rules-modernization/major-changes/use-of-distance-measuring-devices.html

billy3sheets · 04-04-2023 9:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120438183#Comment_120438183

Ah, I had interpreted slope as the slope of the green as opposed to the elevation of the green from where the ball lies. Seems I was thinking of green undulation. I've not used any devices which show this so I'm ignorant of the meaning.

Using Rangefinders and GPS in Competition

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