Bushnell vs slope edition

[onesome]

I just bought one of these knowing about the rules of slope rangefinders however this was the same price as the range finder without 299.00. I know pro's use the slope technology when mapping courses and it's illegal to use during tournaments. However, the slope setting can be turned off and would that allow it to be used during tournaments? I would like to see it sorta like we now have drivers and other clubs that can be adjusted very easily while on the course and as far as I know that doesn't sound legal either but there it is.

[johnthejoiner]

no

[onesome]

Originally Posted by johnthejoiner

no

Thanks for the in depth response.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by onesome

I just bought one of these knowing about the rules of slope rangefinders however this was the same price as the range finder without 299.00. I know pro's use the slope technology when mapping courses and it's illegal to use during tournaments. However, the slope setting can be turned off and would that allow it to be used during tournaments? I would like to see it sorta like we now have drivers and other clubs that can be adjusted very easily while on the course and as far as I know that doesn't sound legal either but there it is.

This is the prescribed Local Rule.  The local rule must be in force for the competition or all such devices are prohibited.

9. Distance-Measuring Devices

If the Committee wishes to act in accordance with the Note under Rule 14-3, the following wording is recommended:

“(Specify as appropriate, e.g., In this competition, or For all play at this course, etc.), a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, windspeed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.”

[Snowgolf]

FYI Adjusting the loft, lie, or weights in your shiny new driver after starting the round is a violation of the rules as well.

[TourSpoon]

No, is the correct answer. In golf, you are bound by the honor system, except for this topic then there is no flexibility. The legal rangefinders (local rule)  are distance only.

[onesome]

Thanks to those who clarified this, regardless I'm still happy with the purchase and would want the slope option despite the current rules concerning that function on a range finder. Realistic for me I use it primarily when a course marking like a sprinkler isn't close by or coming in from an unconventional direction (other fairway).My home course has lots of elevation changes so this function is very useful. The fact that the rules (local rules) don't allow these devices even if the slope option could be switched off doesn't concern me too much, golf is a sport of honor and the people who make the rules want the players to be the ones that enforce them on themselves and because of that I could see a device being allowed as long as it's in the "off" setting in time.The integrity in this game is that the rules are very clear however very easy to break and I feel they want us the players to have as much freedom as possible to allow us to govern ourselves versus prohibitive guidelines.

[David in FL]

Thanks to those who clarified this, regardless I'm still happy with the purchase and would want the slope option despite the current rules concerning that function on a range finder. Realistic for me I use it primarily when a course marking like a sprinkler isn't close by or coming in from an unconventional direction (other fairway).My home course has lots of elevation changes so this function is very useful. The fact that the rules (local rules) don't allow these devices even if the slope option could be switched off doesn't concern me too much, golf is a sport of honor and the people who make the rules want the players to be the ones that enforce them on themselves and because of that I could see a device being allowed as long as it's in the "off" setting in time.The integrity in this game is that the rules are very clear however very easy to break and I feel they want us the players to have as much freedom as possible to allow us to govern ourselves versus prohibitive guidelines.

....as long as you understand, that regardless of your preference towards sel-governance, if you use your shiny new toy in any tournament, whether using the slope feature or not, you are in violation of the rules.

[onesome]

....as long as you understand, that regardless of your preference towards sel-governance, if you use your shiny new toy in any tournament, whether using the slope feature or not, you are in violation of the rules.

Of course, I don't thinkI would really want to use it in a tournament anyways other than mapping ahead of time, I used to have a 1600 till it quit on me and sometimes that thing would be more of a distraction than asset, however sooner our later you come across a situation where you do need a solid number.

[Matt Filroy]

I like bushnell..They make quality products.

[onesome]

Originally Posted by Snowgolf

FYI Adjusting the loft, lie, or weights in your shiny new driver after starting the round is a violation of the rules as well.

I don't have one of those and probably wouldn't spend the money on something like that, I was just using it as a comparison since it would really be simple to change the characteristics of a club during a round then why should it be allowed and not a rangefinder that can be used within the rules despite an added feature? IMO it's obvious that clubmakers carry more clout with the USGA and RA to introduce a piece of equipment that has the ability of being changed rather quickly and secretly that would have way more benifit to a player than a feature on a rangefinder in all honesty is only using averages to predict a yardage on a uphill or downhill slope( everyone has different ball trajectories).