Regarding photo references for greens in stipulated round

[TJBam]

Is it permissible for a player to have "photos" of the green on his or her phone (or printed out), in order to help golfer to choose what part of the green he or she is approaching?

Take a blind approach to the green for instance.  Golfer references a photo taken on his phone to remind him that it slopes heavily towards the back.  Golfer concludes that his ideal placement would be short of middle and right side of the green.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by TJBam

Is it permissible for a player to have "photos" of the green on his or her phone (or printed out), in order to help golfer to choose what part of the green he or she is approaching?

Take a blind approach to the green for instance.  Golfer references a photo taken on his phone to remind him that it slopes heavily towards the back.  Golfer concludes that his ideal placement would be short of middle and right side of the green.

I've never seen it asked before, but I don't see why not.  Yardage books have sketches which can certainly be far more detailed than a simple photo.  I personally don't see any value in it.  If I wanted such a thing, a simple sketch with arrows showing slope and some description would seem to be more useful.  Keep in mind that using your smart phone during a competition may not be allowed.

[TJBam]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

I've never seen it asked before, but I don't see why not.  Yardage books have sketches which can certainly be far more detailed than a simple photo.  I personally don't see any value in it.  If I wanted such a thing, a simple sketch with arrows showing slope and some description would seem to be more useful.  Keep in mind that using your smart phone during a competition may not be allowed.

The photo would help in that it would be taken low and from the front of the green to give me a good idea of slope.

But maybe converting the photos into sketches with arrows indicating slopes would come across as more legitimate and perhaps more effective (though both courses of action may be legitimate).

[geauxforbroke]

Originally Posted by TJBam

The photo would help in that it would be taken low and from the front of the green to give me a good idea of slope.

But maybe converting the photos into sketches with arrows indicating slopes would come across as more legitimate and perhaps more effective (though both courses of action may be legitimate).

Most smart phone cameras do not have the capability to capture depth well. I'm not sure you could tell a whole lot, especially from a low angle.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by TJBam

Is it permissible for a player to have "photos" of the green on his or her phone (or printed out), in order to help golfer to choose what part of the green he or she is approaching?

Take a blind approach to the green for instance.  Golfer references a photo taken on his phone to remind him that it slopes heavily towards the back.  Golfer concludes that his ideal placement would be short of middle and right side of the green.

Photos are fine, but I'd err on the safe side and print them. Don't look at them on your phone.

I second the "create a yardage book with green maps" idea.

[TJBam]

Originally Posted by geauxforbroke

Most smart phone cameras do not have the capability to capture depth well. I'm not sure you could tell a whole lot, especially from a low angle.

I've done it with success in the recent past and it has worked fine and been helpful.  Pics taken on a smooth green at 5-6pm with the sun seems to give a good sheer and helps a lot.

Just asking if it is legal in a stipulated round, which is sounds like it may be questionable to use a smartphone.  So likely it is best to convert the pics into basic sketches.