Thoughts on GPS/Range finder etiquette...

[localhawaii]

Hi all,

Haven't posted in a long while as I havent been able to play as much this year so far.... I just had a three day run playing four rounds with my normal golf buddies and we decided to do the whole skins/greenies thing. I have a laser range finder and everyone else has GPS units (i too have gps software on my phone, but dont really use it). When we arent betting, I have no issues answering the question, "Hey can you pin this for me?" or "Hey, how far out is the flag?", when we get to the par 3's. But when we started betting, I felt it was not in my best interest to provide these distances. Am I just being a jerk? or does everyone else make it a practice not to provide distances when the occasional dollar is on the line? I guess my justification is that everyone else has devices to gauge distance, so I try not to feel bad. Thoughts? TIA.

[Mrd19abhs]

IMO its for money and why would i give help to someone else if everyone has some form of distance finder. Now if i was the only one than id give out distance cause i wouldnt want an unfair adantage but yeah in ur example i would tell them tuff luck.

[Jcp907]

Hi all,

My opinion is that it's information that is attainable through other means, and by you doing that for them on occassion, it may speed play. Now, if the same people are asking regularly, I would tell them to get their own device, at some point.

[Shorty]

Am I just being a jerk? or does everyone else make it a practice not to provide distances when the occasional dollar is on the line? I guess my justification is that everyone else has devices to gauge distance, so I try not to feel bad. Thoughts? TIA.

You are worrying about the wrong thing. It's not going to kill you to provide the number, especially when you have it in mind standing on the tee. How hard is it just to announce "187 from here." It would be different if someone 20 yards away from you wanted you to give him a distance every shot, which meant that you had to move around to find it. Give them the number on the tee and be happy when you beat them because of your better play, rather than thinking that giving them information that you have puts you at a disadvantage.

[clubchamp]

I don't disagree with not giving the yardage as it's your choice and they can figure it out esp if they have gps. I on the other hand would give the yardage on a par 3 if one of my buddies says "what's the pin". If they are are 20 yards away and want to use my laser or have me come shoot it I don't do it. This is only on money rounds but if I'm just playing a casual round with my brother in law on sunday I will let him use the range finder or whatever.

[telrod11]

I have the same situation, and it is kind of a pain to give the distances all the time, but I do it, money or not.

From my point of view, if the roles were reversed, and the guys wouldn’t give me distances, I'd look for other playing partners.

JMHO

[ukalum]

Just add or subtract 5 yards from the actual distance. Then you'll be the one smiling.

[Fourputt]

Hi all,

Since it's within the rules I don't have an issue with it. If it gets to be a habit, then I might say something. I didn't buy my rangefinder just so that nobody else needs to.

[golf_junkie27]

If we're keeping score And plating by the rules of golf then you're not getting yardage and I'm not telling you what club I used. (unless we're teammates)

if it's a casual round and no score is being kept then I'll give you all the information you need.

If your friends get pissed when money is on the line and you're not helping them then you should do two things: 1) find new golf friends or b) five them the wrong yardage.

[ApocG10]

Wow, cant believe people mind giving yardages.

I'd rather win a dollar by playing a better shot, than I would by having the advantage of exact yardages to their guestimates.

[zeg]

If it's occasional, and I'm standing nearby, I'd give the distance money or not. As others said, win with your skill, not technological advantages. But it'd be rude of the friend to ask on every shot, or if you're not already standing there with your rangefinder at hand.

As for adding or subtracting 5 yards, I think that might be a violation of the rules. I can't find a decision or specific rule other than for wrong information about strokes taken, but it certainly doesn't seem consistent with the spirit of the game... so either give the info or don't, but in my opinion, lying about it is cheating.

[bruce]

Wow, cant believe people mind giving yardages.

I'm with you,i would like it even.I would think you were a wanker if you didn't give me the yardage especially if you were a buddy.

[Rexx]

Don't behave differently just because a little money's on the line... that's just acting like a p****. If you want to hide behind official USGA regulations, then do it all the time, not just when it's convenient for you. Now, if I have a range finder or GPS (I have a GPS), I just make a general announcement to everyone about what I got from the spot I'm standing at (tee or fairway). Another guy has a laser range finder and he does the same. Everyone else can add/remove the necessary yardage from there. I also let my cart mate know when we pull up to his ball... it just speeds up play.

[Ignorant]

If we're keeping score And plating by the rules of golf then you're not getting yardage and I'm not telling you what club I used. (unless we're teammates)

Giving yardages is allowed by the Rules (see Dec. 8-1/2) but information on the club used is a breach of Rule 8-1.

[killerduck]

wait, so you were using you laser scope in a money (comp) game.......... I think you've answered your own question. It's cheating, and not giving the info to your mate (who you're only having a friendly bet with) any advice from your cheating seems REALLY petty.

Sorry if I sound harsh, but I think most people would agree with me. If not, then hell to them!! lol

[Lefty-Golfer]

Hi all,

to address your comments and questions, you stated with your normal golf buddies and asked if you were being a jerk....lets break it down, playing golf with buddies...but won't share number to pin because of a 5.00 bet (or whatever number)....hmmm. Yea I think jerk is being to kind to yourself. I am suprised your buddies didn't kick you out of the 4-some.

[goblue107501]

wait, so you were using you laser scope in a money (comp) game.......... I think you've answered your own question. It's cheating, and not giving the info to your mate (who you're only having a friendly bet with) any advice from your cheating seems REALLY petty.

It's not cheating since it is withing the rules.

My general rule with a rangefinder is that I will give anyone who wants to know what my yardage is from my spot. Most of the time, they can figure it out from that. I will announce the distance on par 3s if anyone wants to know. If I am sitting in the cart waiting, I will get a distance for someone if it doesn't take me out of my routine. I am not going to drive to 3 other spots on the course to get a yardage for you. It is important to me to have a correct distance, if it is important to you, spend the $300 and get one for yourself.

[Fourputt]

If we're keeping score And plating by the rules of golf then you're not getting yardage and I'm not telling you what club I used. (unless we're teammates)

Telling what club you used is a breach of Rule 8-1, giving them the yardage

occasionally is not. Refusing to do that is petty. I generally do it whenever I'm asked as long as we are in reasonable proximity to each other. Sometimes I wonder what happened to sportsmanship in the honourable game of golf. (although if they start to expect it on every shot then you may have to draw a line at some point)