The Indiana Golf Foundation
has announced the allowance of Distance Measuring Devices (DMD) for all junior
events starting in 2012. DMD include rangefinders, SkyCaddies and like items,
however, the use of smartphones as DMD will not be allowed. The rule for junior
events will now be the same as all IGA-PGA and IWGA events. The wording for the
actual Rule in place is:
DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES: In this competition a
player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance
only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance measuring device
that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his
play (e.g., gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach
of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether
any such additional function is actually used. Cell Phones MAY NOT be used
as distance measuring devices in IGF events. Penalty– Disqualification
Players and parents are
encouraged to research the functions of particular DMD to ensure that there are
no functions present that would make the device non-conforming. It is important
to know that even if those functions are not being used or turned off, the
device is still not allowable.
For additional information on
the Rules of using a DMD, please visit the following resources:
- A
hang-up for smartphones– James Achenbach, Golfweek, November 25, 2011. - Rules of Golf:
14-3 note - Decisions on The
Rules of Golf: 8-1/2, 8-1/3, 14-3/0.5, App I-B-9
DMD Do’s and Don’t’s
Do:
Measure distance prior to
your turn to play
Keep your DMD in a place
where it is easy to get it in and out of
Have your DMD out and ready
as you walk to your ball
While waiting for another
player to play (if you can’t get to your ball), measure distance from where you
stand and step off the yardage to your ball from that spot.
Measure distance to players
in the group ahead of you standing around the hole instead of waiting for the
flagstick to be replaced.
Don’t:
Measure distance AND step off
yardage from a sprinkler head or plate
Measure distance to every
tree, hazard etc… for a particular shot
Continually ask another
player to borrow their DMD
Play with a DMD that you’re not sure is conforming