The
American Junior Golf Association announced today that they will allow
Rangefinders in their events in 2013.
This may seem like some bland news to most, but this is actually a giant
leap forward in the golf world. As
the largest junior golf organization in the country takes this step in favor
of technology this leaves only a handful of “traditionalists” left.
Ever since the local Rule
permitting distance-measuring devices was introduced in 2006, regional golf
associations and college golf accepted the lasers with open arms, more or
less immediately. Notably, the USGA, R & A and major professional tours remain some of the last groups not to adopt the local Rule. The AJGA made a calculated decision after studies showed no
impact on pace of play when using rangefinders, but from a Rules perspective
this may bring to light a few issues that the golf associations who have
already allowed distance-measuring devices would like to see addressed by the
ruling bodies.
First,
it’s important to understand that allowing distance-measuring devices is not a
blanket method for allowing every state-of-the-art GPS device floating around
golf superstores and eBay. There
are still limitations to what you can and cannot use.
Under
the Rules, a distance-measuring device that measures any other condition that
might affect your play of the hole is not permitted. This includes the fancy Slope feature on some laser
rangefinders, weather or temperature, a level or most interestingly a compass
(this comes into play later). So
before you go buy the fanciest multi-feature rangefinder (or buy for your son
or daughter), make sure it only measures distance or it will still be
disallowed in competition. The
penalty for using an illegal distance-measuring device is disqualification, so
it’s important to get this right.
You
can find decent rangefinders anywhere from $135-$500 and the good news is that
distance-only devices are less expensive than the fancier illegal models. (By the way, the Leupold GX-4, which features a yellow snap-on that allows slope measurments is currently against the Rules, whether or not the yellow snap-on is attached. The snap-on is considered the same as a button in this case.)
Then
there is the “Aha” moment when you find a $5 app on your iPhone that promises
to be USGA conforming and will be everything you or your rising junior golfer
need. Here’s the catch: the app itself may measure
distance-only and conform to every part of the local Rule permitting
distance-measuring devices, but the smart phone that the app is on may not
conform. The local Rule reads, “…a
player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance
only. If, during a stipulated round, a player used a distance measuring device
that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his
play (e.g., gradient, windspeed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of
Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.”
Most smart phones come equipped
with a Compass feature, a feature that has been deemed against the Rules (see Decision
14-3/4) and will earn you an instant Dairy Queen (DQ). Because the compass app is on the
phone, the entire phone is illegal as a distance-measuring device. On some smart phones the app can be
removed, but on iPhones starting with the iPhone 3GS, the app is
permanent. It doesn’t matter if
the compass isn’t used, if the phone has the capability it is not
permissible. If that isn’t enough,
I can’t even begin to describe the conversation about weather apps that goes on
behind closed doors in Rules circles around the country. Whether or not a
general weather application violates the temperature-measuring clause is
strongly debated from both sides, making even more smart phones questionable or
unusable.
So with the AJGA climbing on board
with a local Rule that the USGA and PGA Tour are not likely to adopt any time
soon and amidst the uproar of the anchoring ban that many claim is bad for the
enjoyment of the game, will the USGA tackle the issue of smart phones and GPS
devices? My money is on no, so if
you’re planning to compete, spring for the distance-only rangefinder, it’s
worth it in the end and will ensure you have numbers rather than letters on the
scoreboard.
For the Rules regarding
Distance-Measuring Devices see Rule 14-3, Appendix I and Decision 14-3/0.5.
For clarification on Smart Phones
see the Northern California Golf Association’s page here: http://www.ncga.org/wp-content/uploads/Phone-Apps1.pdf?9d7bd4
Also, see the USGA/R&A joint
statement regarding distance-measuring devices: http://www.usga.org/equipment/overview/USGA-R-A-Joint-Statement-On-Electronic-Devices/
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