Jump to content
IGNORED

Is It Legal For DeChambeau To Use Compass/Protractor?


Vinsk
Note: This thread is 2092 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

1 hour ago, boogielicious said:

I was in the last class in my High School to learn to use a slide rule. Does that make me old? :-P

Yes sir it does....:beer:

"My ball is on top of a rock in the hazard, do I get some sort of relief?"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

2 hours ago, boogielicious said:

I was in the last class in my High School to learn to use a slide rule. Does that make me old? :-P

My high school science teacher actually refused to take the time to show us how to use it. Said it was obsolete (1970s). 

And I think I’m old. So, yeah. 

But on topic, is what BD doing really obsolete tech for what he’s trying to do, even if it’s within the rules?

Edited by Missouri Swede

Craig
What's in the :ogio: Silencer bag (on the :clicgear: cart)
Driver: :callaway: Razr Fit 10.5°  
5 Wood: :tmade: Burner  
Hybrid: :cobra: Baffler DWS 20°
Irons: :ping: G400 
Wedge: :ping: Glide 2.0 54° ES grind 
Putter: :heavyputter:  midweight CX2
:aimpoint:,  :bushnell: Tour V4

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

2 hours ago, boogielicious said:

I was in the last class in my High School to learn to use a slide rule. Does that make me old? :-P

The first affordable electronic calculators from TI didn't show up until at least 10 years after I graduated, so lots of students used slide rules after me.... I guess that makes me ancient?

I can't see any breach here, unless it just a breach of rational behavior. :no:

Edited by Fourputt
  • Like 1

Rick

"He who has the fastest cart will never have a bad lie."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

18 hours ago, Golfingdad said:

I was making the same mistake for awhile as well, however, you are thinking of the wrong type of compass.  He was using one of these:

empire-compasses-27030-64_1000.jpg

Not one of these:

51v0rmRbnmL._SX355_.jpg

Yupp..

Just a guess but seems like he is using it to estimate a 'safe zone' for landing (using known distance like edge of green to pin) to compare to his shot zone on his yardage book. If so, then he can do that upfront as pin sheets are available. Seems unnecessary to do it on course during the round. 

Don't know the legality but it does not seem like something that gives him unfair advantage. 

Edited by GolfLug

Vishal S.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

1 hour ago, GolfLug said:

Yupp..

Just a guess but seems like he is using it to estimate a 'safe zone' for landing (using known distance like edge of green to pin) to compare to his shot zone on his yardage book. If so, then he can do that upfront as pin sheets are available. Seems unnecessary to do it on course during the round. 

Don't know the legality but it does not seem like something that gives him unfair advantage. 

The PGA tour is very likely different, however, any time I’ve played in a tournament that was fancy enough to hand out pin sheets, they only gave them to you on the first tee.

Obviously not something that gives him ANY kind of advantage because whatever they rule applies to everybody - this isn’t a Casey Martin type thing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

3 hours ago, Golfingdad said:

The PGA tour is very likely different, however, any time I’ve played in a tournament that was fancy enough to hand out pin sheets, they only gave them to you on the first tee.

Obviously not something that gives him ANY kind of advantage because whatever they rule applies to everybody - this isn’t a Casey Martin type thing.

 

You can get pin sheets at the receptions of pretty much all of the better public places I play. 

I only use them on courses I didn’t play before or maybe only once before just to know where the center of the green is in relation to the pin on longer approach shots. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

It has been reported that the PGA, after consulting with the USGA, have allowed DeChambeau to continue using that compass (a "bow" compass is the correct term). He said he uses it only to check the actual pin position when he is on the green. When he knows the correct location, he can assess the borrow by looking at the book he carries with a diagram of each green. The compass is apparently not used to actually measure the borrow at all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


6 hours ago, Rulesman said:

It has been reported that the PGA, after consulting with the USGA, have allowed DeChambeau to continue using that compass (a "bow" compass is the correct term). He said he uses it only to check the actual pin position when he is on the green. When he knows the correct location, he can assess the borrow by looking at the book he carries with a diagram of each green. The compass is apparently not used to actually measure the borrow at all.

That would be the commercial enterprise known as the PGA Tour. 😉

"Age improves with wine."
 
Wishon 919THI 11*
Wishon 925HL 4w
Wishon 335HL 3h & 4h
Wishon 755pc 5i, 6i, 7i, 8i & 9i
Tad Moore 485 PW
Callaway X 54*
Ping G2 Anser C
Callaway SuperSoft
Titleist StaDry
Kangaroo Hillcrest AB
Link to comment
Share on other sites


It could be immensely useful if you know the direction to Rae's Creek so you can factor in its pull on a putt and compensate.

Ogio Grom | Callaway X Hot Pro | Callaway X-Utility 3i | Mizuno MX-700 23º | Titleist Vokey SM 52.08, 58.12 | Mizuno MX-700 15º | Titleist 910 D2 9,5º | Scotty Cameron Newport 2 | Titleist Pro V1x and Taylormade Penta | Leupold GX-1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I thought I had read that it was going to be allowed but I guess I was reading someone's opinion and not the official ruling.

I'm not terribly surprised at the ruling; I don't see a lot of difference between using the compass to figure out the "true pin location" on the green and using a range finder to find the "true location" of the pin from where the player is standing.

"No man goes round boasting of his vices,” he said, “except golfers." 

-- Det. Elk in The Twister by Edgar Wallace

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

In regards to  the USGA’s attempt to minimize any DQ or penalty to BD and to respectfully deny his use of the compass, perhaps they simply could’ve said, “Hey man..quit being a douche.” 

  • Like 1

:ping: G25 Driver Stiff :ping: G20 3W, 5W :ping: S55 4-W (aerotech steel fiber 110g shafts) :ping: Tour Wedges 50*, 54*, 58* :nike: Method Putter Floating clubs: :edel: 54* trapper wedge

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

10 minutes ago, Vinsk said:

In regards to  the USGA’s attempt to minimize any DQ or penalty to BD and to respectfully deny his use of the compass, perhaps they simply could’ve said, “Hey man..quit being a douche.” 

Upvoted for making me laugh.

My guess is it’s also due in part to them just not wanting the potential for more people trying this nonsense and just slowing everything down.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • iacas changed the title to Is It Legal For DeChambeau To Use Compass/Protractor?
53 minutes ago, krupa said:

I'm not terribly surprised at the ruling; I don't see a lot of difference between using the compass to figure out the "true pin location" on the green and using a range finder to find the "true location" of the pin from where the player is standing. 

I'm very surprised.  Using a compass is slightly more efficient than using a couple of pencils, but it's nothing compared to allowing the use of pin sheets and yardage books.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


seriously what aspect of the game do they think they are protecting? If you have a tour yardage book, laser mapped green book and a pin sheet what advantage do you get from the compass? 

If the argument is that judging the distance is part of the game fine. Say not stepping it off, no yardage books. If reading the greens is an integral part of the game then say no green maps and no aim point. 

At the end of the day I see this as missing the point. The best in game can stick it close from anywhere. If they hit their lines they will make a bunch of putts. Really the game is a bout execution not knowing that the pin is 4' from the edge or that the slope is 2.5 vs 2.7 deg.

Either let them have all the mapping and measuring they want or take it all away. I don't care which (although NONE might speed up the game).

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Administrator
7 minutes ago, criley4way said:

If reading the greens is an integral part of the game then say no green maps and no aim point.

AimPoint is reading the greens.

And their point is that it’s an artificial device.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

It's totally legal. He won't be arrested for using it.

I've never been arrested for bringing brand new wedges to the machine shop for a little groove work.

As a matter of fact, if you don't mind going through golf balls a little faster, I highly recommend it.

 

TaylorMade 300___307cc driver, 13.5°                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Top Flite Titanium Intimidator 400___3, 5, 7, 9 woods                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Mizuno Fli Hi II___driving iron                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Titleist T300___7, 8, 9, PW, AW, GW                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Titleist SM6___LW                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Tad Moore Chicopee___putter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Titleist Pro V1x___ball

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Note: This thread is 2092 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...