Rangefinder / gps

FixdePitchmark

Perhaps there is a thread, could not find one.

But could somedody put my mind at ease with these.

Are they cheating ?
Should they be allowed ?

I don't know why, but it does not feel right. I guess people will say , sure it is a strokesaver, or a caddy.

I've always liked judging and measuring distance , elevation. I felt it was an element of the game.

Just old fashioned - I know the argument , should you use wooden sticks etc.

I just feel an electronic / computer device is a paradigm shift. From memory it was not allowed in old R&A rule book ?

I'll go back to "me pencil and paper" as Bertie said.

PhilipMarlowe

Regarding the rules of golf, Rule 14-3 prohibits their use.
HOWEVER, as a note to the rule, it says "The Committee may make a Local Rule allowing players to use devices that measure or gauge distance only."

So, devices that measure distance only (not elevation, wind, temperature etc.) can sometimes be allowed.
This year, the GUI brought in a condition for Interclub competitions that they ARE allowed - previously they were NOT allowed in interclub regardless of what local rule an individual club had in place (because the GUI tournament conditions take precedence). So whatever an individual club thinks, when it came to inter-club golf a team could use them. A lot of clubs who had been 'against' them then introduced local rules to generally allow them in their own club competitions (mine included).