CDGA/ USGA Distance Measuring Devices, What measuring devices are acceptable during Tournament play Options

[SteveDave]

I talked to someone at the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) regarding use of GPS devices and when i asked if a Callaway uPRO could be used she simply stated only if it measures distance and nothing else. Can someone confirm that the uPro is acceptable for CDGA / USGA tournaments that allow distance measuring devices? thanks for any help you can provide!

[HoosierGolfer]

http://www.usga.org/search.aspx?q=electronic devices

[rapriebe]

I talked to someone at the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) regarding use of GPS devices and when i asked if a Callaway uPRO could be used she simply stated only if it measures distance and nothing else. Can someone confirm that the uPro is acceptable for CDGA / USGA tournaments that allow distance measuring devices? thanks for any help you can provide!

If the local rule is in force which allows electronic devices, then they must be able to measure distance only. They may not measure elevation, wind, etc., even if that feature is turned off. If they do more than measure distance in any fashion then they are not allowed in any golf context. To determine whether a device is legal, you just have to verify the features offered. If it suggests a club based on elevation gain or loss, even if it doesn't actually display the number, then I'd say that it's still not legal.

I don't know anything about the feature set of the uPro, so I can't say anything for or against.

This post has been edited by rapriebe: Jun 9 2009, 12:14 PM

[limpwrist]

Yes, the uPRO conforms to the USGA rules for tournament play provided the tournament committee has enacted a local rule allowing the use of distance measuring devices.

From the FAQ section of the uPro website:
http://www.uprogps.com/faq/product/

Is the uPro™ USGA legal?
Yes, the uPro™ conforms to USGA rules. As of January 1, 2006 the USGA, under ruling 14-3, deemed the use of distance measuring devices legal to be used during play under local rule. This ruling does not apply to devices that measure other conditions that will affect a player’s game such as wind or gradient. If no local rule is adopted, you should check with your golf professional prior to use in a USGA sanctioned event.

[SteveDave]

Thank you ALL for your responses!!!

[tjy355]

I know some of the laser rangefinders offer this feature but does anyone know if any of the GPS devices measure elevation change?

[limpwrist]

I'm sure none of them made specifically for golf have the ability to compensate for slope. It would make it unsellable (is that even a word?) because merely having that capability makes it illegal even if it is turned off.

[jontyc]

They may not measure elevation, wind, etc., even if that feature is turned off.

Elevation is a distance, just a vertical one instead of a horizontal one. The specimen Local Rule in the rule book prohibits slope measurement (which of course is not a distance) but it doesn't mention elevation.