USGA's New/Revised Decisions for 2010/2011

[iacas]

They're here . Principal changes are listed here (pdf), and there's a discussion of one of the revisions here .

Also, worth noting for those of you with iPhone/Blackberry GPS apps, this statement .

[Fourputt]

Interesting commentary on the decision prohibiting "test" drops. Something I'd never have though of, but certainly not within the spirit of the rules.

[Chilli Dipper]

One point of concern on the rule regards this passage.

A very important proviso of this permission is that the device must measure distance only; it must not measure other conditions such as wind speed or direction, the slope of the ground or the temperature.

I have a Weather Channel app on my iPhone that provides things like temperature and wind speed and direction based on my location. Even if my phone itself isn't gauging the temperature and wind data on the spot (as opposed to receiving that information from the nearest weather station), would being able to access that from my phone be deemed non-compliant to the rules?

[RemyM]

Looks like quite a few new decisions to wade through.

[zeg]

One point of concern on the rule regards this passage.

I have to say I don't find those statements to be written very clearly, even by the legalese standards of some of the RoG.

My take is, I guess, that as long as the device is not actually making the measurement, then the rule is basically that you cannot use that app under the first bullet beneath point 3 in the note. It's not a measurement device, it's essentially acting as a communication device pulling down weather data. I think these rules are still problematic. For example, I have a bubble level app on my iPod. That means my device has the capability of making that measurement. If I delete the app, it still has the capability of making that measurement-- it physically contains an accelerometer. Is it sufficient to delete the app? If so, how is that different from disabling non-conforming measurements on a non-programmable device? After all, there's nothing to stop me from downloading the app in the middle of a round, then deleting it before the end just in case someone checks. Fortunately, I don't play in situations where anyone checks the rules. This one is stupid. I am capable of holding a multipurpose device that could tell me the slope of a green without using that feature, so I'll feel free to ignore this one.

[Ignorant]

I have to say I don't find those statements to be written very clearly, even by the legalese standards of some of the RoG.

I don't think this is such an ambiguous issue. After all, the actual Rule 14-3 is very clear:

Except as provided in the Rules, during a stipulated round the player must not use any artificial device or unusual equipment, or use any equipment in an unusual manner: a. That might assist him in making a stroke or in his play; or b. For the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that might affect his play This Rule (and some related Decisions) could be roughly read like this: any information that was in player's possession already before he started a stipulated round may be used and accessed during the round. Any information that changes during the round and may affect his play is not to be accessed nor used. Varying information could be eg. wind (speed & direction; throwing grass in the air is allowed, though ), temperature (hard to see who could exploit that info, though), difference in altitude (different reference positions of the player and the target on the course are infinite), slope on the green, humidity and advice from player's pro not acting as a caddie. During the stipulated round this kind of information is not to be accessed for the purpose of use. Thus telephone is ok to call mom what's for supper but calling the pro for swing advice is a no no. Also use of internet during the round is not allowed for the purpose of gaining advantage.

[Matt M]

One point of concern on the rule regards this passage.

I sure hope it is. Thats what I want during my club championship a fellow competitor getting wind directions and speed. Shouldn't golfers have to decifer the wind on their own?

[glebert]

Hmm, it doesn't seem to be windy, but the weather channel says it is 30mph in my face. I'd better take two extra clubs.

[Matt M]

The point about using an iphone or whatever else some one could use is the time being added to the round. It already takes most people to long to play 18 holes, if you allow all these devices that's just more time added to the round. If all that happend was a player would check it and say hey its wrong I'll just play my normal shot that would be fine. What is going to happen is a player checks its and it is different than what he feels so he'll check it again, and again. Then another app to see why this app isn't working, where does it end? A yardage book, laser, or GPS isn't enough come on.

[zeg]

This Rule (and some related Decisions) could be roughly read like this: any information that was in player's possession already before he started a stipulated round may be used and accessed during the round. Any information that changes during the round and may affect his play is not to be accessed nor used.

Yep, that's clear. Why then do we need a detailed rule saying you can't use a device that *could possibly* be used to violate this rule, even if you don't use it to violate this rule? There seem to be plenty of examples of rules whose application hinges on the honesty of the golfer.

But, beyond my feelings about what the rule should be, I think the rule that they've printed there is needlessly convoluted to capture what they're trying to say. I had to read it a few times and I'm still not convinced I completely understand their intent.

The point about using an iphone or whatever else some one could use is the time being added to the round. [...] where does it end? A yardage book, laser, or GPS isn't enough come on.

Well, again there's a rule about undue delay that adequately covers this for a tournament situation. My personal concern though is that I plan to use my iPod with the Scorecard software to track my score. In this particular case, I think even with that amended rule, I'm probably ok because I'm strictly using it as an information/communication device and not actually making any measurements. However, this is silly-- if I happened to have an iPhone instead, and used its GPS to measure a distance (in a situation where this is allowed), I now think I am DQ for having the same unused bubble level app, even though I have not used it in either case.

Please somebody tell me I can't read.

[Nyper]

The point about using an iphone or whatever else some one could use is the time being added to the round. It already takes most people to long to play 18 holes, if you allow all these devices that's just more time added to the round. If all that happend was a player would check it and say hey its wrong I'll just play my normal shot that would be fine. What is going to happen is a player checks its and it is different than what he feels so he'll check it again, and again. Then another app to see why this app isn't working, where does it end? A yardage book, laser, or GPS isn't enough come on.

You have a point... to some extent. (I

HATE slow play) I have no problem with someone using an Iphone or Blackberry App if they're only using it to measure distance and they aren't taking longer than normal. My GPS keeps me from having to walk off yardages and makes me play quicker. The Iphone/Blackberry apps could potentially do the same thing. I have only seen one Blackberry app... one of my playing partners used it and it didn't slow him down any. (we had the first tee time of the day a couple weekends ago and finished 18 holes in 2 hours 35 min)

[Fourputt]

You have a point... to some extent. (I

The only time I've seen any of these devices cause slow play is when the user has to play with all of the unnecessary "features" for every shot. Having to go from one screen or menu to another to see the flyover, then the hole layout, then see the yardage, then record all the stats on each hole, then....etc., etc.,

The hope is that eventually the new wears off and he starts using it for distances only and just plays golf again.

[glebert]

The only time I've seen any of these devices cause slow play is when the user has to play with all of the unnecessary "features" for every shot. Having to go from one screen or menu to another to see the flyover, then the hole layout, then see the yardage, then record all the stats on each hole, then....etc., etc.,

If you want to see a device slow down play, have only 1 person in a foursome have it and then everyone else wants them to come over to their ball and tell them what the yardage is.

[tulefog]

I have to say I don't find those statements to be written very clearly, even by the legalese standards of some of the RoG.

The point is not so much that you choose to ignore it, but rather that you may find yourself DQ'd from some competition because a Rules Weenie complained that you had an iPhone in your bag, regardless of the fact that you never used it.

[zeg]

The point is not so much that you choose to ignore it, but rather that you may find yourself DQ'd from some competition because a Rules Weenie complained that you had an iPhone in your bag, regardless of the fact that you never used it.

Well, yeah. If I were playing in a round where being DQ'd had any teeth, I guess I would have to just use a paper scorecard. I actually don't have any problem with that, I'm just amused/annoyed by the "clarification" here.

Also, I think I misspoke in the post you quoted-- I think you would be fine to use a distance app on a device that had the weather channel app since it's acting as a communication device rather than a measurement device. If it has an accelerometer, though, you might have trouble depending on what "capability" actually means.

[Jay-Bird]

I found this to be INTERESTING.

14-2/0.5 Meaning of “Elements” Q. What are considered “elements” under Rule 14 2a? A. Elements include sunlight, rain, wind, snow and other weather conditions. (New) 14-2/2.5 Player Positions Bag for Purpose of Providing Shade for Ball Q. A player positions his golf bag near the teeing ground for the purpose of blocking the sunlight from the position where he tees his ball. He then makes a stroke. Is he in breach of Rule 14-2? A. Yes. ... link to source

[zeg]

I found this to be INTERESTING.

And here I thought "elements" meant hydrogen, helium, lithium, ...

[RemyM]

I found this to be INTERESTING.

I think you can call that the Phil Mickelson rule. During the Masters his caddie purposely placed the bag in a position at the 18th tee to cast a shadow over his ball so if "patrons" moved their moving shadows wouldn't disturb him.