68 replies to this topic

[matchavez]

goplutus, on 05 September 2012 - 02:22 PM, said:

so....is using the usga rules of golf app during play a violation of the rules?

If the app is used on a device that has a compass in it, yes, it is illegal.

Incredibly stupid, isn't it?


EDIT: I was wrong. The asterisk point in http://www.usga.org/...owchartv1-3.pdf says for the RoG, it's legal specifically.

However, without that specific callout, it would otherwise be illegal.

Edited by matchavez, 25 October 2012 - 12:00 PM.

[TM_HOYER]

matchavez, on 18 October 2012 - 03:54 PM, said:

goplutus, on 05 September 2012 - 02:22 PM, said:

so....is using the usga rules of golf app during play a violation of the rules?

If the app is used on a device that has a compass in it, yes, it is illegal.

Incredibly stupid, isn't it?

That question has already been correctly answered by a previous post as not being a violation of the rules.

[goplutus]

Is there an actual ruling on this? The only thing on the USGA site I can find references only being able to use smartphones as phones during emergencies.

[Sawgrass]

goplutus, on 22 October 2012 - 10:17 PM, said:

Is there an actual ruling on this? The only thing on the USGA site I can find references only being able to use smartphones as phones during emergencies.

Look at rule 14-3 and then at decision 14-3/16.  IMO as long as you are not using the compass-containing smart phone as a distance measuring device, you can use it to access rules information.  Or make a call, or to do some other innocent things.

[myronm]

Local USGA organizations have and do make different rules.  For example, in NJ, it's illegal to use for any tournament or just score posting any app on a cell phone, period.  Dedicated devices such as garmin, skycaddie, etc and of course range finders without slope are legal.  But no cell phone app.

Other states do not care (ie.  Florida, Washington state, etc).

So just because the USGA says it's legal doesn't mean it's legal in your locale.

[Andy L]

myronm, on 23 October 2012 - 02:02 PM, said:

Local USGA organizations have and do make different rules.  For example, in NJ, it's illegal to use for any tournament or just score posting any app on a cell phone, period.  Dedicated devices such as garmin, skycaddie, etc and of course range finders without slope are legal.  But no cell phone app.

Other states do not care (ie.  Florida, Washington state, etc).

So just because the USGA says it's legal doesn't mean it's legal in your locale.

Are you saying that in NJ you believe it's not legal to use the GHIN app on your phone to post a score?  If so then is it not legal to login to the GHIN website from your PC to post a score?

[myronm]

According to the director at NJ golf association that's what he said.  You cannot post a score in NJ (GHIN or what ever) if you are a NJ Golf assocation member and use an app such as golflogic,  skygolf, etc for yardages etc while playing.  Certainly you can post your score.  But for distance measurement while playing a round, only range finders and dedicated GPS devices without slope or yardage potential are allowed.   Period.

[Andy L]

myronm, on 24 October 2012 - 11:23 AM, said:

According to the director at NJ golf association that's what he said.  You cannot post a score in NJ (GHIN or what ever) if you are a NJ Golf assocation member and use an app such as golflogic,  skygolf, etc for yardages etc while playing.  Certainly you can post your score.  But for distance measurement while playing a round, only range finders and dedicated GPS devices without slope or yardage potential are allowed.   Period.

Ok so you can post the score via your phone app, but you can't use your phone as a distance measuring device during the round-- at least according to NJ Golf Association.  is that correct?

[TM_HOYER]

myronm, on 24 October 2012 - 11:23 AM, said:

According to the director at NJ golf association that's what he said.  You cannot post a score in NJ (GHIN or what ever) if you are a NJ Golf assocation member and use an app such as golflogic,  skygolf, etc for yardages etc while playing.  Certainly you can post your score.  But for distance measurement while playing a round, only range finders and dedicated GPS devices without slope or yardage potential are allowed.   Period.

First, Skygolf or better known as Skycaddie is not an app and is conforming to USGA rules. Second, what the director said is correct but should have been worded a little more clearly. There is nothing stopping you from posting a score when you use a non-conforming device, but by rule, those scores are really not valid for use in handicap calculation. But as some have stated in other posts and threads, there is some differing opinions on this by some golf clubs.