Are these glasses against the rules?

[JerseyThursday]

A neighbor of mine bought a pair of these, for his son, to use in baseball hitting practice.
I asked if I could borrow them to test on the putting green of my course.
They really do help on short putts because it locks you in (visually) on the line to the hole.
My question is there a rule against using something like this during an actual round? Or, for that matter, a type of sticker to put on the lens of your glasses to form a line?

[ghalfaire]

I would think that Rule 14-3 on Artificial Devices would not permit you to use those glasses during a round.  But there are more and better experts on the rules that inhabit this forum.

[joekelly]

Seems to me that Rule 14-3 is indeed the rule to note but i can also notice that Exception 2 to the rule permits the use of equipment if used in a 'traditionally accepted manner'.  Since these eyeglasses are made to restrict  the vision there would be no penalty.   Similar to wearing swim goggles during a windy day while in the sand trap (eye protection). Or even wearing sunglasses to restrict the radiation entering the eyes.  However, IMHO, just another 'crutch' which will not serve well in the long run.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by joekelly

Seems to me that Rule 14-3 is indeed the rule to note but i can also notice that Exception 2 to the rule permits the use of equipment if used in a 'traditionally accepted manner'.  Since these eyeglasses are made to restrict  the vision there would be no penalty.   Similar to wearing swim goggles during a windy day while in the sand trap (eye protection). Or even wearing sunglasses to restrict the radiation entering the eyes.  However, IMHO, just another 'crutch' which will not serve well in the long run.

You're reading the rule wrong. These types of glasses would certainly not be allowed under the Rules of Golf.

[zeg]

Gotta agree with Erik here. Sunglasses are traditionally accepted for keeping out bright sun and glare. Something like this, designed to enhance your performance in a novel way, isn't even close.

I don't know if there's a more explicit definition than the fuzzy "traditionally accepted manner," but it seems to me that the usual sense is either something that is standard golf behavior, or is something you'd wear/use in similar conditions if you were just out for a walk. If it's something you're using specifically because you're golfing, that's a good sign that it's not allowed. I don't know if this interpretation covers all the various rulings, though.

[JerseyThursday]

Originally Posted by zeg

Gotta agree with Erik here. Sunglasses are traditionally accepted for keeping out bright sun and glare. Something like this, designed to enhance your performance in a novel way, isn't even close.

I don't know if there's a more explicit definition than the fuzzy "traditionally accepted manner," but it seems to me that the usual sense is either something that is standard golf behavior, or is something you'd wear/use in similar conditions if you were just out for a walk. If it's something you're using specifically because you're golfing, that's a good sign that it's not allowed. I don't know if this interpretation covers all the various rulings, though.

Yes, "traditionally accepted manner" does seem vague. Bifocals would be okay?

[JerseyThursday]

Looks like I’m not the first to think of this.
Someone has really taken it to the next level...

ProAim Putting Alignment Glasses

The ProAim was the first training device to projects a virtual guidance grid into your field of vision through the glasses that come with the system. This is much like the hi-tech Heads Up Display (HUD) used by fighter pilots. With the ProAim system can see and feel the perfect set-up, club alignment and swing path. The combination helps your body memorize optimal body position when putting on the green. By dedicating some of your practice to use of the ProAim you will find instant the feedback you get will improve putting stroke, alignment and consistency and you will start cutting strokes from your score. No more guesswork! You know when you are doing it right! A Special Bonus Instructional Booklet is included with every ProAim, "The Short Game Stroke Saver Guide".

[iacas]

Originally Posted by JerseyThursday

Looks like I’m not the first to think of this.

Yeah, those are a training aid. They too are against the rules. :-) (I'm not saying you didn't know that - I'd assume you did.)

[joekelly]

In fact, at least to me, only the USGA Rules Committee knows for  sure.  Unless iacas can explicitly point to the rules decision on this case i think  he is offering his opinion, not a solid statement of  agreed  fact. Oh, sure, he MAY be  correct or he may be wrong.  But he does present himself as in total control of the rules on this case. Just say'in.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by joekelly

In fact, at least to me, only the USGA Rules Committee knows for  sure.  Unless iacas can explicitly point to the rules decision on this case i think  he is offering his opinion, not a solid statement of  agreed  fact. Oh, sure, he MAY be  correct or he may be wrong.  But he does present himself as in total control of the rules on this case. Just say'in.

You've been told. It's Rule 14-3. How much more specific can it be?

[JerseyThursday]

Originally Posted by Shorty

You've been told. It's Rule 14-3. How much more specific can it be?

No. It’s the opposite of specific.

When someone referred to rule 14-3, iacas came up with:

“You're reading the rule wrong. These types of glasses would certainly not be allowed under the Rules of Golf.”

Then never goes on to explain what is the correct way to interpret that rule in reference to sunglasses that happen to be tinted at the top and bottom. Thus, implying something is against the rules for no other reason than he deems it so.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by joekelly

In fact, at least to me, only the USGA Rules Committee knows for  sure.  Unless iacas can explicitly point to the rules decision on this case i think  he is offering his opinion, not a solid statement of  agreed  fact. Oh, sure, he MAY be  correct or he may be wrong.  But he does present himself as in total control of the rules on this case. Just say'in.

They're illegal. They're an alignment aid and they're not being used in the traditional manner.

You've now been given the right answer. I asked a Rules Official, and he - as I suspected he might - laughed at the possibility that they'd be legal.

Good enough?

[JerseyThursday]

Originally Posted by iacas

They're illegal. They're an alignment aid and they're not being used in the traditional manner.

You've now been given the right answer. I asked a Rules Official, and he - as I suspected he might - laughed at the possibility that they'd be legal.

Good enough?

Got it.
Alignment line on ball, yes.
Alignment line on putter, yes.
Alignment line on glasses, no.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by JerseyThursday

Got it.

Alignment line on ball, yes.

Alignment line on putter, yes.

Alignment line on glasses, no.

You can be as facetious as you like.

Problem is, a line drawn or printed on a golf ball or a putter is not exactly the same as a line on a pair of glasses that essentially makes you partially blind. Would you drive a car with them? No.

So, I think it's fair to say that eyeglasses that limit vision are not being used in the "usual" manner - to aid vision.

[Ignorant]

Originally Posted by JerseyThursday

Got it.

Alignment line on ball, yes.

Alignment line on putter, yes.

Alignment line on glasses, no.

Alignment line on a ball is specifically allowed in the Rules, see Dec 20-3a/2. This is only natural as a ball may already have a logo which can be used for alignment.

There is nothing in the Rules forbidding an alignment line on a putter and those lines are frequently painted on the putterhead of numerous models of various club manufacturers.

As far as those sunglasses are concerned, the alignment line there is compeletely different as you can get a much longer alignment line and it is static. Once you start the backswing of your putter the alignment line on the clubhead becomes insignificant unlike a line in sunglasses. It is true that sunglasses are not specifically mentioned in the Rules but using those would be equal to using a club on the ground while making a stroke, and that is specifically forbidden, see Dec 8-2a/1.

I suggest you accept iacas's answer as it is the correct one.

Oh, I almost forgot. If you are keen on using tricks like sunglasses, why don't you learn how to use the top part of the glasses as an alignment aid? Personally I would concider that a breach of Rules but nobody can ever prove anything if you do that, should you want to cheat ;-) (not saying that that you would be up to cheating, don't get me wrong)

[Ignorant]

Originally Posted by JerseyThursday

Looks like I’m not the first to think of this.

Someone has really taken it to the next level...

ProAim Putting Alignment Glasses

The ProAim was the first training device to projects a virtual guidance grid into your field of vision through the glasses that come with the system. This is much like the hi-tech Heads Up Display (HUD) used by fighter pilots. With the ProAim system can see and feel the perfect set-up, club alignment and swing path. The combination helps your body memorize optimal body position when putting on the green. By dedicating some of your practice to use of the ProAim you will find instant the feedback you get will improve putting stroke, alignment and consistency and you will start cutting strokes from your score. No more guesswork! You know when you are doing it right! A Special Bonus Instructional Booklet is included with every ProAim, "The Short Game Stroke Saver Guide".

It appears that this product as so many others split the views heavily: http://thesandtrap.com/b/training/proaim_putting_training_glasses

[zeg]

Originally Posted by Ignorant

Alignment line on a ball is specifically allowed in the Rules, see Dec 20-3a/2. This is only natural as a ball may already have a logo which can be used for alignment.

There is nothing in the Rules forbidding an alignment line on a putter and those lines are frequently painted on the putterhead of numerous models of various club manufacturers.

The rule is somewhat vague, but there is simply no way around this. There is no practical way to list, in detail, everything that is or is not allowed under the rules. So we have to use our heads in some cases.

As Ignorant noted, the alignment aid on the ball has been ruled upon because it's a common case that reasonable people can interpret differently. Apparently they did, because someone submitted a question to the USGA for a ruling. The alignment aid on a putter is (oddly) not mentioned in the rules, but as quoted above, it's clearly been approved and can be considered traditional.

In the case of these glasses, it's really not even a subtle interpretation, though. They're certainly not traditional golf equipment. So the only other way they could be permitted is if they're something that is traditionally used for a non-golf purpose. Bifocals, which someone mentioned above, would (I expect) be permitted because they are a common piece of equipment people use to correct their vision back to normal. These glasses, however, are not something anyone has ever worn for any purpose other than as a performance or training aid.

[iacas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeg

As Ignorant noted, the alignment aid on the ball has been ruled upon because it's a common case that reasonable people can interpret differently. Apparently they did, because someone submitted a question to the USGA for a ruling. The alignment aid on a putter is (oddly) not mentioned in the rules, but as quoted above, it's clearly been approved and can be considered traditional.

Not really, but the clubhead must be "plain in shape". The lines aren't necessarily part of the "shape" and we've seen some weird looking designs that are legal (often in putters), but a line will not make a putter "not plain in shape" and, as was noted, clubs have had logos and alignment aids on them since the beginning of time. So, they're fine, and the glasses aren't.

Quote:

a. Plain in Shape

The clubhead must be generally plain in shape. All parts must be rigid, structural in nature and functional. The clubhead or its parts must not be designed to resemble any other object. It is not practicable to define plain in shape precisely and comprehensively. However, features that are deemed to be in breach of this requirement and are therefore not permitted include, but are not limited to: