I've heard that the powers that be will allow a "local rule" permitting distance measuring devices for 2006. Has anyone read the actual language yet? I'm ready to get one soon but heard that devices that use vertical calculations will still not permitted?-Adam
A noteworthy change is the governing bodies’ sanction of the use of distance measuring devices, including GPS-based systems and laser rangefinders. New Decision 14-3/0.5 allows a Committee to permit the use of distance-measuring devices by Local Rule. This applies to devices that measure distance only, not any other conditions that might affect a player’s play (e.g., wind or gradient). In the absence of such a Local Rule, the use of a distance-measuring device remains contrary to the Rules.
This might be a bit off course but so they should allow distsnce measuring devices.
Pros get a pin sheet each day,a practice round before hand and any caddy worth his salt is going to have the course paced out so when the pro has a shot he probably knows the distsnce to whithin maybe 2-3 yards. I think it only reasonable that the powers that be allow us mortals to be able to carry a distance device around whith us.
This might be a bit off course but so they should allow distsnce measuring devices.
Pros get a pin sheet each day,a practice round before hand and any caddy worth his salt is going to have the course paced out so when the pro has a shot he probably knows the distsnce to whithin maybe 2-3 yards. I think it only reasonable that the powers that be allow us mortals to be able to carry a distance device around whith us.
A lot of caddies and pros use the laser rangefinders in the practice rounds anyway.
I've played several courses that carts equipped with GPS units that displayed distance data on a screen. This is helpful on these particular courses. However, one of the many skills golf requires is learning to judge distance and the other factors that can affect you accuracy. I could see such aids as the GPS displays being useful IF there are no visible distance markers to indicate 200-150-100 yards from the green.
On this subject, I like to see standardization on how courses display "distance to the green". The course I play regularly has several holes where an unmarked tree is "known" to be the 150 yard marker. Imagine the confusion to the first time golfer on that track.
[quote=No Knack Hack]I've played several courses that carts equipped with GPS units that displayed distance data on a screen. This is helpful on these particular courses. However, one of the many skills golf requires is learning to judge distance and the other factors that can affect you accuracy. I could see such aids as the GPS displays being useful IF there are no visible distance markers to indicate 200-150-100 yards from the green.
I agree. I don't mind the use of such items, just as long as it doesn't slow play down. Nothing would **** me off more than somebody who is standing right next to a 150 yard marker and I have to wait for him to whip out his range finder just because he likes using his new toy.
Last edited by shaderunner : August 1st, 2006 at 06:44 PM.
Reason: language...read site rules
Okay, I understand what kind of device will be allowed and what will not be. So my question now is, can you just go ahead and use one, or does the course have to add a "yes" or "no" to their printed rules first?
Same question reworded - If a course doesn't say anything in the rules, is it automatically assumed to be ok?
If it's tournament play never "assume" anything. If you are playing in a tourney you must ask the tournament officials prior to starting your round. You can however use it during practice rounds. If you are playing with friends for money or in a gaggle you can probably get away with not asking.
I had an opportunity to play a "Laser Link" course a couple of weeks ago. Basically, the course had "screwed" a laser reflector to the top of the pin (about half the size of a "AA" batter), and you aim the rangefinder at the pin and it gives back you the exact yardage. With this particular rangefinder, there was a view screen on the back with a red dot....put the dot on the pin and the screen shows the yardage, almost instantly. I thought it worked great, and I'm sure it speeds up play. I'm not sure what it cost the course for the reflectors, but the rangefinder was $249 at the pro shop. I think any laser rangefinder will work better with the reflector on the pin.
I've played several courses that carts equipped with GPS units that displayed distance data on a screen. This is helpful on these particular courses. However, one of the many skills golf requires is learning to judge distance and the other factors that can affect you accuracy. I could see such aids as the GPS displays being useful IF there are no visible distance markers to indicate 200-150-100 yards from the green.
I agree. I don't mind the use of such items, just as long as it doesn't slow play down. Nothing would **** me off more than somebody who is standing right next to a 150 yard marker and I have to wait for him to whip out his range finder just because he likes using his new toy.
Bobby, I am looking to get a "distance device" because I can tell you for a fact that on my home course some of the distance markers are NOT right. I've stepped some off and had a buddy step them off and we both came up with a different number (by over 20 yards) than what the marks said. So now I have to try to keep up with which markers are correct and which are not. I could keep a book and step off every shot, but with technolgy comes change. It's just like moving to metal woods, many people thought that it was cheating but how many people are playing wood woods now? Distance devices are a thing of the future that will not go away.
Last edited by shaderunner : August 1st, 2006 at 06:44 PM.
Reason: language in quote...don't endorse this behavior
Bobby, I am looking to get a "distance device" because I can tell you for a fact that on my home course some of the distance markers are NOT right. I've stepped some off and had a buddy step them off and we both came up with a different number (by over 20 yards) than what the marks said. So now I have to try to keep up with which markers are correct and which are not. I could keep a book and step off every shot, but with technolgy comes change. It's just like moving to metal woods, many people thought that it was cheating but how many people are playing wood woods now? Distance devices are a thing of the future that will not go away.
Agreed 100% I played in a tourn. last week on a new to me course, and the yardage markers (where there were any) were at least 20 yards off.
It has been legal to use a laser range finder for some time. This new ruling is only going to effect tourniment play, not what you and I can use on the weekend. As the rules are now, you CAN use a laser any time you want, unless you are playing in a USGA sanctioned tourniment. Want to play a round tomorrow, take your laser and check the yardages when ever you want. All perfectly legal. It's stated in the rules that you CAN use a measureing device to build your handicap and to maintain it. NOT A PROBLEM. And using a laser will not slow down the round, as one member was thinking it might. In fact. using a laser, is faster and more accurate than walking around trying to find a sprinkler head. Plus the sprinkler head will only give you the yardage to the center of the green, not the yardage to the flag. When you have a green that's 30 yards front to back, you can be off a full club length if you go by the yardage markers on the course.
So, if you are ready to join the 21st century, check out the Bushnell site and find out which model suits your needs and pocket. Then check out the local sporting goods store and look in the hunting section. They sell the rangefinders with pretty much the same features for a good bit less. I paid $150 for my Bushnell yardage Pro 500, and it works fine. Reading to a flag is limited to about 185 yards most days, depending on whether the wind is blowing and the flag is waving in the breeze, or laying flat against the flag
stick. A little wind helps and then I can get reading to around 200 yards.
I hope this answers most of your questions, and ends the debate of whether lasers are legal or not. They are legal and they work.
Bobby, I am looking to get a "distance device" because I can tell you for a fact that on my home course some of the distance markers are NOT right. I've stepped some off and had a buddy step them off and we both came up with a different number (by over 20 yards) than what the marks said. So now I have to try to keep up with which markers are correct and which are not. I could keep a book and step off every shot, but with technolgy comes change. It's just like moving to metal woods, many people thought that it was cheating but how many people are playing wood woods now? Distance devices are a thing of the future that will not go away.
Mistakes do happen but keep in mind, most courses now have been laser measured so the markers should be correct. Laser is LINE OF SIGHT without taking into account elevation, prevailing winds, or any other factors other than distance in a straight line. We've remeasured several of our markers due to player concerns about them being way off and have found them not to be off by enough for a player to notice (1-3 yds max). Stepping them off is HIGHLY inaccurate. We even had a member with a 200 yd rope marked off in 1 yd increments come in and tell us some were wrong but once again, his rope wasn't straight, it assumed the contour of the ground. The other thing to know is whether the measurements are to the front of the green or center. Most of the errors by our members in "auditing" our measurements are due to not being able to determine the proper center of the green. Obviously the center doesn't change but the perception of it can depending on the angle.
Depending on who does the measurements could affect the accuracy (Assistant Professional, 1st and only time measuring a course vs. Superintendent, some experience, vs. Golf Association, much experience, vs. Professional Measurement, specialized experience) and the faith in the measurements. We were lucky enough here to be friends with a gentleman who owns a company that does the measuring/yardage books for many of the PGA TOUR stops and we pretty much know our measurements are dead on. The only thing we have to contend with here is whether the guys gluing the yardage stamps to the irrigation heads did it following the map or did they make mistakes...out of over 1000 heads, they only messed up 4 and they were fixed.
Bottomline is that measuring and marking a golf course is an involved process and errors are bound to be made but before assuming a marker is wrong, go over the other variables that affect the distance in a particular shot...
JC you're taking a lot for granted when talking about MY course. Heck, they put the rye gradd down two weeks ago and haven't moved the tee markers since. Not a lot of TLC going on at GLGC.
October 24th, 2005, 10:52 PM
Rule Change-Distance Devices??
Shade
Legal use of range finders now
Linear Mode
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