Rules Question: RangeFinders

[deronsizemore]

Playing in a four day tournament next week which allows the use of Rangefinders and I just want to make sure I know the rule on distance information.

According to the rule below (as I understand it) from USGA's website, I cannot share distance information with fellow competitors when a rangefinder was used to gather the information. I wouldn't intend on sharing distances anyway but I figure there's bound to be someone on a par 3 ask what distance I had so I want to be sure that I cannot share this info based on the rules. It seems though that I can share the information but the player receiving the information is the one penalized?

8-1/2 Exchanging Distance Information Information regarding the distance between two objects is public information and not advice. It is therefore permissible for players to exchange information relating to the distance between two objects. For example, a player may ask anyone, including his opponent, fellow-competitor or either of their caddies, the distance between his ball and the hole. Except when the Local Rule allowing the use of distance-measuring devices has been adopted (see Note to Rule 14-3), information regarding distance must not have been obtained from an artificial device used during the stipulated round. A player who obtains distance information that he knew was measured by anyone with an artificial device during the player's round is disqualified under Rule 14-3. (Revised)

[beisenhauer]

I think you're misreading that decision. The entire second section doesn't apply to you since you said your tournament does allow rangefinders.

[Fourputt]

Playing in a four day tournament next week which allows the use of Rangefinders and I just want to make sure I know the rule on distance information.

You've misinterpreted it. The first paragraph is what is pertinent to your question. Distance information is considered by the rules to be public information and as such is not considered

advice and is allowed to be shared. Suggesting that it's an 8I would be advice, but saying that it's 145 yards is just general information, even if it's obtained with a rangefinder.

[deronsizemore]

I think you're misreading that decision. The entire second section doesn't apply to you since you said your tournament

You've misinterpreted it. The first paragraph is what is pertinent to your question. Distance information is considered by the rules to be public information and as such is not considered

Thanks guys for chiming in. I must be tired or something as I'm still misinterpreting it (I guess).

I understand that distance information is consider by the rules to be public information and is not considered "advice." Here's the second part of that original quote:

Except when the Local Rule allowing the use of distance-measuring devices has been adopted (see Note to Rule 14-3), information regarding distance must not have been obtained from an artificial device used during the stipulated round. A player who obtains distance information that he knew was measured by anyone with an artificial device during the player's round is disqualified under Rule 14-3. (Revised)

So, distance information is public information and therefore sharable EXCEPT when a local rule is in place allowing use of a distance measuring device (rangefinder). Information obtained cannot be obtained from an artificial device used during the round.

[iacas]

It's simple.

The first part specifies that distance is publicly available info and thus not advice.

The second part says that you should not ask for distance if you know the person is using a distance measuring device against the rules. Obviously if a competitor was using this against the rules, he'd have penalties or be DQed, but it also prevents you from asking a spectator who has a range finder in tournaments that don't allow it. Otherwise, it's legal to ask a spectator what your yardage is.

They answer two different questions.

The first is "are distances information or advice"?

The second is "if range finders are not allowed, can someone else use one to give me the yardage"?

The answers are "information, not advice" and "no."

[deronsizemore]

It's simple.

Got ya. I'm understanding it now (after reading 10 times).

I was taking the "except" part out of context I guess. I was seeing it as "distance info is public except when a local rule is in place allowing rangefinders." Thanks guys

[Fourputt]

Thanks guys for chiming in. I must be tired or something as I'm still misinterpreting it (I guess).

It's only if the local rule is NOT invoked that the such information cannot be shared. The second paragraph is aimed at the player who, for example, gets such information from a person who is just following along with the device and taking readings, but is not part of the competition. Say a spectator whips out his laser and shoots a pin, a player asks him for the distance. This rule makes that a breach if the measurement was taken during the stipulated round, even though the device was not used by the player or his partner or his caddie. Such measurements taken before the round is started are allowed. If the local rule is in place, then such information can be shared, however it's obtained.

[deronsizemore]

It's only if the local rule is NOT invoked that the such information cannot be shared. The second paragraph is aimed at the player who, for example, gets such information from a person who is just following along with the device and taking readings, but is not part of the competition. Say a spectator whips out his laser and shoots a pin, a player asks him for the distance. This rule makes that a breach if the measurement was taken during the stipulated round, even though the device was not used by the player or his partner or his caddie. Such measurements taken before the round is started are allowed. If the local rule is in place, then such information can be shared, however it's obtained.

Thanks for breaking it down [again]. I'm following now.