Pro-Am question

[msd3075]

I know this isnt' exactly a "Tour" question, but it fits best within this section.

I'm playing in the Pro-Am for the Shell Houston Open next week. I can't find the rules online anywhere, and the literature they sent me is all back in Houston (I'm in Arkansas right now). I was just wondering if it is against Pro-Am rules/etiquette to use a SkyCaddie during play. I know it's obviously off limits for the pro, but my thinking is that they would allow it simply because it's a charity event and not a serious tournament.

Anyone have any experience with this subject at all?

[goblue107501]

There is a Nationwide Tour event that blows through town every year and I have been fortunate to play in the pro-am several times. The one here is set up as a shamble. This is a format where all for amateurs tee off, pick the best drive and everyone plays their own ball to the hole from there. It is handicaped so you get strokes depending on what you handicap is. We only have about four and half hours to play so they tell you that once you hit your bogey shot to pick up. The scoring is done by using either the best net amateur score or the pro's score. The key is to have someone in the group make a birdie and at worst a par. They used to play it here where everyone plays their own ball but it just takes too long to play. Some of the lesser pro-ams at different courses they play as a scramble. That is how it is done here, I don't know if a PGA pro-am would be different or the same.

You will be fine using your GPS. It is a practice round for the pros so they will have their own GPS and/or rangefinders out so they can map stuff out for their yardage books. If you get a nice player and caddie they will give you any distance you want, help you read putts, etc. It is more of a nice day out rather than a strict official tournament so the rules are pretty laxed. I think they usually tell us we can play the ball up if we want.

Just be nice, play your game. I have heard that some guys (pros) are jerks at pro-ams, but I think that is probably more about the people they get paired with. This is something they do every week, so while it is a new and exciting event for you, it isn't for them. I have played with some guys who seemed liked they really enjoyed their time with my group. They are very talkative and helpful and don't mind if you ask them things. Other times they are just going throught he motions, which is fine. No one I have played with has been a total jerk. I just like playing the course. It is private and I have very little chance to play it otherwise.

[msd3075]

There is a Nationwide Tour event that blows through town every year and I have been fortunate to play in the pro-am several times. The one here is set up as a shamble. This is a format where all for amateurs tee off, pick the best drive and everyone plays their own ball to the hole from there. It is handicaped so you get strokes depending on what you handicap is. We only have about four and half hours to play so they tell you that once you hit your bogey shot to pick up. The scoring is done by using either the best net amateur score or the pro's score. The key is to have someone in the group make a birdie and at worst a par. They used to play it here where everyone plays their own ball but it just takes too long to play. Some of the lesser pro-ams at different courses they play as a scramble. That is how it is done here, I don't know if a PGA pro-am would be different or the same.

I played in the Pro-Am last year (my pro was Charley Hoffman) but for whatever reason didn't use my SkyCaddie or just didn't have it with me (I can't remember). I know one of the guys in my group was using his rangefinder he got in the gift giveaway during the Pairings Party a few days earlier, and no one seemed to give him trouble about it.

I talked to some of the guys here in my office about the Pro-Am format for the Nationwide tournament that comes through town here, and they said it was a "shamble" just like what you described, but the Houston Open Pro-Am always has been a best-ball format. Last year it took just a bit under 6 hours to play our round.