Many of us have smartphones these days and use them as our all in all devices most of the time. There is an app for just about everything, starting with time pass games to highly intellectual brain games, weather apps, shopping apps, travel apps, social media apps like Facebook, Twitter and such website apps, and even mosquito hunter app! So, naturally golfers tend to download any golf GPS related apps to be used to improve their game.
Not only smartphones are used for their high helpful quotient, but also because they are fun to use. Who doesn’t like to tweet about their game and share it with friends for fun? While it is very convenient for us to use Golf GPS apps to assist us in our golf games, some rules are imposed by the golf governing bodies like USGA and R&A. The golf championship bans the usage of Golf GPS apps on smartphones that give any unfair advantage to the golfer over other players like gauging the wind speed, slope etc.
THE RULES ABOUT USING GOLF GPS APPS ON SMARTPHONES
There are certain rules in place to guide the usage of smartphones in tournaments. Do you want to know why you cannot use golf GPS apps on your smartphone? Read on to know more about the rules and regulations before you plan to take your smartphone in a tournament play.
While usage of smartphones in a golf tournament was not legal before, a few years back it became legal. A Local Rule 14/3 allows golfers to take their smart phones with them to golf tournaments, but restricts the smartphone usage to only measure distances. If you have any golf GPS apps downloaded on your smartphone, it will be restricted to be used in the tournament.
Some apps usage can help the golfer in gauging the wind speed, temperature, slope of the course and other such conditions which might give him an edge on the game. Because of this naturally it would be unfair to other players in the game and so the usage of golf GPS apps on smartphones is banned.
The United States Golf Association mentions the below rule on their official website:
“In addition, when the distance measuring application is being used, there must be no other features or applications installed on the device that, if used, would be in breach of the Rules, whether or not they are actually used.”
The R&A website gives out a flowchart to describe what it considers legal about the Distance measuring devices. Check out their article to know more details about the same. This article has many useful FAQs also that are helpful to get an idea if your smartphone app is legal or not to be used in the golf tournament.
But of course, if the local golf course rules permit, you can use your smartphone to perform the basic function like sending out texts, emails and making calls. There is only one restriction in that which restricts the golfer to get any golf related advice through his correspondence using the smartphone. Otherwise, it will be illegal to use in a golf tournament.
Some golfers have questions like if they have Weather app in their smartphone, would it become illegal to be used in a golf tournament. But as the weather app would not give any unfair advantage to the user, it is allowed to be on the smartphone as it is considered as not actively gauging any golf conditions.
These days we have many sophisticated devices that are very helpful in the game and also tournament legal. Not only that these devices are very handy, easy to use, plus smartly avoid the distractions of a smartphone. What more can a golfer ask for when he is serious about tournament play! So, consider all the rules and regulations laid on the usage of golf GPS apps on the smartphone before taking it to your tournament play.
Are Golf GPS Devices Allowed In Competitions?
Loaded question that needs clarification. In the age where technology continuously trumps humans, golf is not untouched by the phenomenon. What follows is the advent of golf GPS devices and that ties a neat bow over your golf course management method. At the click of a button before teeing off, you can automate the whole process of distance measurement in golf using golf GPS DMDs. With automatic hole advance, voice clip-ons, shot replays, advanced stat tracking and constant improvement in GPS receivers, they are revolutionizing the details of golf like never before. It is too good to be true. And whatever is too good to be true is probable too good to be legal, right? Well, not in this case.
For the longest time the USGA/R&A rule 14/3b prohibited players from using any distance measuring device or using any other device for gauging other conditions of the play. This kept the rangefinders at bay. But in 2006, golf finally caught up with technology and invited Decision 14-3/0.5 that allowed tournament authorities to add a local rule that would legalize distance measurement devices subject to some restrictions. So as per this decision, in a golf tournament, if a local rule is applied then devices that measure distance only, are allowed to be used.
However major tournaments like PGA or LPGA do not pay heed to this small allowance and can disqualify players for using rangefinders. Even if the caddies are found using the rangefinders during the tournament, the players will be disqualified as in the case of Jerry Rice who learned this the hard way.
But it is okay to use the golf GPS or laser rangefinder devices during practice in these tournaments.
The use of a distance-measuring device is a breach of Rule 14-3, which states that during a stipulated round, the player shall not use any artificial device or unusual equipment for the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions which might affect his play (Rule 14-3).
The USGA Handicap System requires players to post scores made when a device which measures distance only has been used (regardless of whether the Committee has adopted the Local Rule described below). Scores made while using a device which measures other conditions which might affect play (e.g., wind speed or the slope of the ground) are not acceptable for Handicapping purposes. Please refer to Section 5-1 of the USGA Handicap System Manual regarding acceptable scores.
The Committee may, by Local Rule, permit the use of devices that measure distance only (i.e., the device may not be used to measure other conditions such as wind-speed or the slope of the ground). (Rule 14-3 Note and Decision 14-3/0.5)
The recommended language for such a Local Rule can be found in Appendix I; Part B; Section 9.
If the Committee has adopted a Local Rule permitting the use of distance-measuring devices, these devices may be shared by players (see analogous Decision 5-1/5 regarding the sharing of equipment other than clubs)
The exact wording of Rule14-3 is given below (courtesy www.usga.org/rulesfaq)
If you are comfortable with it, you can even share the golf GPS devices and rangefinders during a casual round of golf. All the rules apply for gauging score on your handicap as it is serious business.
And therein lies the complexity of the Local Rule that defines golf’s big jump into the 21st century of artificial intelligence. Does it mar the thrill of the game? For some of the veterans, sure! But for the young talent who have grown up nestled in the information age, using golf GPS systems is a natural answer to yardage musing. Using these GPS enabled golf apps brings a noticeable change in the pace of game. These devices provide an instant reading reducing the delay of spotting sprinklers and what-not.
Conclusion
After learning about these rules and regulations guiding the usage of smartphone golf apps in this article, I hope you are clear about what is allowed and what is not allowed in the golf tournaments. As the rules keep updating from time to time, it is best if you check with the rules committee for the latest rule sheet before entering a golf tournament.
Last updated on June 30th, 2018 at 08:55 pm
