Using Smartphone Golf GPS Apps

TerryOC

Hi, Anyone know whether it is within the rules to use some of the smartphone /IPOD GPS apps for club comps? I was under the impression for GUI comps that we can only use the recognised GPS devices and that Smartphone apps were not allowed; I might be wrong.. If it is is possible has anyone come up with a USB charger that can be attached to an electric golf trolley? Thanks

Benicetomonty

You can't use smartphones because (my understanding) they have the capacity to measure more than just yardage i.e. humidity, wind direction and strength...etc. Nonsense really, but them's the rules!

dball

depends on the club - some clubs allow them.:):)

charlieIRL

do a search, there has been plenty of lengthy discussions on the topic in the past.

Senna

dball wrote: »

depends on the club - some clubs allow them.:):)

What clubs allow them?

GreeBo

Senna wrote: »

What clubs allow them?

None, they are not legal for GUI competition use anywhere.

TheGolfer01

GreeBo wrote: »

None, they are not legal for GUI competition use anywhere.

This statement is incorrect without the proviso that it relates only to units that have the capability to measure wind or elevation.

Senna

Senna wrote: »

What clubs allow them?

GreeBo wrote: »

None, they are not legal for GUI competition use anywhere.

TheGolfer01 wrote: »

This statement is incorrect without the proviso that it relates only to units that have the capability to measure wind or elevation.

This is what confused me on other threads on the same topic.
I think the GUI stated "unless local rule etc", but AFAIK no clubs have allowed them (in Ireland at least). Also noticed that many threads mention iphones not being allowed because the compass cant be removed, but of course more people have "other" smartphones than "iphones" and "other" phones dont have a compass as a system app.

Seems to me like a lot of companies would simply go bust if smartphones were to be allowed and of course, money makes the world...........

GreeBo

TheGolfer01 wrote: »

This statement is incorrect without the proviso that it relates only to units that have the capability to measure wind or elevation.

compass in every smart phone.

local rule is for DMDs only.

SnowDrifts

Here is a chart that might help....

http://www.usga.org/uploadedFiles/USGAHome/equipment/DMD%20flowchartv1-3.pdf

iPhone= definitely out.

As Greebo says, if other smartphones do have a compass or weather apps, then they are also out. It's safe to say that the majority, if not all smartphones are out.

Senna

SnowDrifts wrote: »

Here is a chart that might help....

http://www.usga.org/uploadedFiles/USGAHome/equipment/DMD%20flowchartv1-3.pdf

iPhone= definitely out.

As Greebo says, if other smartphones do have a compass or weather apps, then they are also out. It's safe to say that the majority, if not all smartphones are out.

But that's the USGA, I think I read on golfwrx that smartphones can be used in a lot of course over there. If that flow chart applied here my phone would be allowed Huawei G330. There is no compass installed, no weather app and the app for measuring distance does only that (freecaddie)

SnowDrifts

The USGA and the R&A are governed by the exact same set of rules.

charlieIRL

TheGolfer01 wrote: »

This statement is incorrect without the proviso that it relates only to units that have the capability to measure wind or elevation.

please don't start this again, this topic has been discussed in great detail many times before. We are not going back to it again.

SnowDrifts wrote: »

Here is a chart that might help....

http://www.usga.org/uploadedFiles/USGAHome/equipment/DMD%20flowchartv1-3.pdf

iPhone= definitely out.

As Greebo says, if other smartphones do have a compass or weather apps, then they are also out. It's safe to say that the majority, if not all smartphones are out.

Correct. If i remember correctly, if the device has the ability to measure these it was illegal to use. Compass / weather etc can be downloaded to a device if not pre-installed: therefore rendering it illegal to use

Senna

charlieIRL wrote: »

Correct. If i remember correctly, if the device has the ability to measure these it was illegal to use. Compass / weather etc can be downloaded to a device if not pre-installed: therefore rendering it illegal to use

If that is the case, why would the usga produce the flowchart linked above?
Is it multi-functional e.g mobile phone = Banned. But that's not what the flowchart says;

"Is this other information or measurement tool only accessible via an internet browser or shortcut to the internet?"
V
V
Yes
V
V
NO BREACH OF LOCAL RULE

The Flowchart actually confuses the mater even more.

GreeBo

Does the device
contain other applications
or features (golf-related or
otherwise) capable of measuring
conditions or providing information
(e.g., compass, current local weather
conditions, temperature, wind,
slope or club
recommendation)?

If your phone has a data connection and GPS then it is capable of sending data on weather, temperature, wind, pressure, direction...thus its non conforming, or at least its not clear and you could be DQ'd imo.

TheGolfer01

I sent a link to this thread to the RANDA, so they can refer any future queries to our very own resident expert.
They replied telling me to GTFO and that that fella hasn't a clue.