First senior (new member) caught using one of these today.

Not by me but by one of the low 'cappers who also knows about these things.

He wasn't happy - came out with all the rationales about a compass not being any assistance to playing golf di dah di dah di dah.

He came to me to whinge and I told him that his phone was illegal in comps

. . . as he had already been informed.

I asked the Secretary/Manager at our place about using smart phones as DMD's. He and his staff don't understand the technology and therfore are allowing any smart phone to be used. I can't be bothered explaining the problem they're potentially giving themselves. Tell your senior member to move up here and he can use his phone all he wants!

I would like to know this also

Taz wrote (see)

He wasn't happy - came out with all the rationales about a compass not being any assistance to playing golf di dah di dah di dah.

if you are using it as a DMD you are not going to flick through the apps to see your compass .......... oh look, I'm facing north east so I better take an extra club .

TBH the compass excuse is wearing a bit thin if you ask me.

Its not an excuse its simply the rules.

^ or maybe flicking through your bag of clubs for that 15th club?

Illegal is illegal no?

For me it's right there with no drop from an unrepaired divot, a pointless and destructive rule.

I really can't see the issue with having a compass, slopemeters perhaps, but what useful information is a compass really going to give?

There are penty of stupid rules in golf, are you two advocating ignoring rules which you find stupid?

Nope, not in the slightest, I just can't imagine why it exists.

Obviously it's to identify the wind direction such that if you are in an area sheltered from the wind but hitting into a windy area you will be able to determine approximate direction.  To allow DMDs would mean the software would have to ensure that the compass is not enabled for the golf GPS (which it is for the car GPS).  Then you have an argument as to whether the compass facility is on or not and then you get another argument.  I would imagine the R&A took the simpler option of making illegal all DMDs with a built in compass, whether enabled or not. 

Personally I don't see the compass being any real benefit for the vast majority of golfers and is probably one that will be discussed time and again by the R&A. 

However, I have a CaddyLite because it is easy to read and, just as important, waterproof.  I wouldn't like to see my smartphone getting soaked and ruined in the typical weather we have here in Scotland. 

Oh yes, and I brought it to the attention of our handicap convenor at one of our meetings, especially as I knew one of the other lads on the committee was using his iPhone as a DMD.

And at the moment those are the rules of golf.  As has been said, there are lots of rules in golf we don't all agree with but you can't ignore them just because they don't suit you.

If you feel that strongly, I suggest you write to the R&A

Compasses have been banned ever since Adam was a lad, what has changed golf courses or the weather or the orientation of the earth to make the RBs change their minds?

You can remove the compass app from the phone (iPhone at least), had he done that? Would that make it legal??

Kefkef wrote (see)

You can remove the compass app from the phone (iPhone at least), had he done that? Would that make it legal??

according to randa it would still be illegal.

Just thing about your lovely Pings, that will make you feel better

CS (15.3) wrote (see)

I'm going to puke if we go round in another circle.

But how do you know if you have gone round in a complete circle unless you have a compass to check?

BT@Home (8) wrote (see)

Kefkef wrote (see)

You can remove the compass app from the phone (iPhone at least), had he done that? Would that make it legal??

according to randa it would still be illegal.

How would it be illegal if the app is not actually on the phone?

Or did you mean switched off?

I've a small length of magnetised steel on a string....

Caffeineted wrote (see)

I've a small length of magnetised steel on a string....

Whatever turns you on!

Ive said it before and will keep saying it, but it needs a simple statement/rule from the R&A which says that in amateur events any electronic gizmo designed purely to give distance information for golf, and no other information, is allowable, but no other electronic distance measuring devices are allowed.

Also has to be said, the R&A really are a shower.

^^ is what any sensible person has been saying since the gps enabled dmd first appeared. Dedicated devices only.

Cartman 20.0 wrote (see)

For me it's right there with no drop from an unrepaired divot, a pointless and destructive rule.

I really can't see the issue with having a compass, slopemeters perhaps, but what useful information is a compass really going to give?

you can drop from a divot hole, just declare it unplayable.

I just think it was good to see the rank and file applying the correct rules.

. . . which whether we like 'em or not - we should all do - or be labelled as cheats. 

*dons tin hat*

Taz, those people arent cheats, the rule, or lack of one makes it very confusing. Big difference about someone using an iphone to someone using the foot wedge! Until there is a clear cut rule with no ambiguity this will just go on and on.

Surely people who have iphones or similar are aware of what apps they have on their devices.

The RBs clearly say which are not permitted on the device if the GPS facility is used.

Where's the confusion?

Tim Ellis wrote (see)

I asked the Secretary/Manager at our place about using smart phones as DMD's. He and his staff don't understand the technology and therfore are allowing any smart phone to be used. I can't be bothered explaining the problem they're potentially giving themselves. Tell your senior member to move up here and he can use his phone all he wants!

Same here Tim but as it is a 'local rule' and the club's decision to allow DMD's they must be pushed to comply with the rules.

I stood up in front of 78 seniors and a couple of the assistant pro's yesterday and explained the situation as is.

Gobsh!te - I know  

. . . but the guys are aware now and hopefully it will filter through.

forgot the word "old"

Creosote wrote (see)

Also has to be said, the R&A really are a OLD shower.

I hate using DMDs anyway. Totally ruin the rhythm of my rounds. Give me a 200, 150 and 100 yard markers and I'm golden. What does anyone else need? I played a medal round with a guy who had a laser. I was no more than 5 or 6 yards out anytime I guessed yardages before he lasered it and, like most amateurs, I aint that accurate.

Know your own yardages and pay attention to where your shots end up each time and its not hard to get a feel for things.

I never understand this "DMDs slow the game down" mullarkey.  With mine its on all the time strapped to my trolley.  I stop, take a quick look at the yardage and ready to go.  Quicker than pacing out from a marker on the course, or even finding it in the first place if it is a disc on the fairway.

One of our slowest players has just got one of these and is now THE slowest player.

I would imagine that's more a function of the player than the DMD.  If you faff around already then a DMD will just cause you to faff more.  I don't faff about.

I never pace anything out. How hard is to go there is the 200 disc, there is the 150 disc/post whatever and work out how much you are inbetween both? It helps or forces me to think about green depth and where is safe etc as well. I think that sort of course management can get lost when you are just looking at numbers on a screen. Not saying that you cant be quick when using DMDs or have poor course management but they are just not for me and I think many amateurs would learn more about their game without them. In saying that they are handy to have around every now and then just to confirm things but for the large part - meh!

You luddite you

I make all my own clothes!