Hand-held GPS device
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Neither the R&A nor the USGA anticipate accepting hand-held GPS devices in any of their championships - professional or amateur - it is announced today.
So don't expect to see Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy or Phil Mickelson pausing during a championship round to consult the latest electronic distance-measuring unit to tell them the exact yardage they have, any time soon.
The announcement is contained in a statement by the R&A and the USGA launching the latest edition of 'Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2010-2011' (£15.99 published by the R&A from November 23), which, following the latest two-year review cycle includes 30 new Decisions, 49 revised Decisions and one withdrawn Decision all of which take effect from January 1, 2010.
However, in their joint statement of principles regarding the use of electronic devices, including distance-measuring devices, the two bodies are clear that there's no place for this technology in any of their championships.
"The statement says: "We first allowed the use of distance-measuring devices by Local Rule in January 2006 and are re-affirming that these devices may be used to measure only distance and must not be able to measure other conditions such as wind speed or direction, the slope of the ground or the temperature. Neither the R&A nor the USGA anticipate adopting the Local Rule at any of their championships."
Though GPS devices have been widely accepted throughout the world among club-golfers - even in competition - and have stimulated a burgeoning industry in electronic technology for golfers, their use in Tour events is still banned - other than in practice. And this despite the PGA in the UK allowing them for their regional tournaments.
“Decisions on the Rules of Golf illustrates the breadth and scope of possible Rules situations that must be addressed,” says The R&A’s Director of Rules and Equipment Standards, David Rickman. “We regularly re-visit and amend the Decisions book to ensure that it remains current and relevant to the modern game.
“The new book contains over 1,200 cases, posed in a question-and-answer format, which will clarify any ambiguity that may arise after consultation of the Rule book.”
