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FIGJAM
14 May 12 09:32
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Date Joined: 05 Nov 04
| Topic/replies: 6,086 | Blogger: FIGJAM's blog
I have just used over the weekend the Golfshot GPS, costing around £20.I don't work for the company and have no pecuniary interest in the company but can not believe the  value of this product.
I was debating about the Garmin because I have the car sat nav which is excellent, but you just can not beat this product.
My mate has a Garmin watch which he rates, another has the SkyCaddie, which is good but the prices are substantially more. I have played with people using the Bushnell which they swear by, but of course there is a problem with dog legs and unsighted greens.
The only draw back is that iPhone battery which is pretty hopeless but I got round yesterday using 55% and have an in car charger.

This product can not be more highly rated and I thoroughly recommend this for regular players.
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Report fundamentalist May 14, 2012 10:24 AM BST
Not wanting to be overly negative but for most regular golfers the main downside of any of the phone apps for GPS is that you cant use them in competitions whereas you can use standalone GPS units or rangefinders (assuming a local rule allowing DMDs is in place). If you're not playing in comps then they are very good value for sure
Report FIGJAM May 14, 2012 10:27 PM BST
Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought only GPSs with gradient technology  were banned, something that doesn't apply to the aforementioned app.
Report Wok May 15, 2012 1:58 AM BST
Devices that measure temperature (and many smart phones do) are not allowed, regardless of whether you consult the temperature info, the fact its there is enough to make the device illegal for competition use.
Report FIGJAM May 15, 2012 2:15 PM BST
Wok- Excuse my ignorance and I am not doubting your word,but where does it in the rules  say that a temperature gauge is prohibited, and what has that to do with the price of fish?
Report mexicano May 15, 2012 7:52 PM BST
i downloaded swing by swing a couple of months ago it was free, and it's fantastic.

from what i've heard it was so good that they've started "stripping out" a few vfeatures on the free app in order to get some to pay, but those who already had it have got it.
Report sewter lives again May 15, 2012 8:57 PM BST
figjam you are indeed ignorant, wok is right

if the instrument you happen to be using has the ability to measure temperature, windspeed, gradient or whatever in fact anything other than distance it is illegal, irrespective if that facility is turned off or not used
Report mexicano May 15, 2012 9:00 PM BST
so presumably if a golfer is in posession of a device that has this info whether he acceses it or not he's disqualified?

so therefore anybody who plays a competitive round with a "smartphone" in his pocket, or even his bag is liable to disqualification?
Report sewter lives again May 15, 2012 9:06 PM BST
mexicano yes

some courses also have local rules saying you cant use even the distance only instruments

a lad in our club played in one of the big amateur tournaments last year, the English lads used the pinseekers in the practice rounds but some of them didnt take them off their bags in the tournament and although they didnt use them they got disqualified
Report mexicano May 15, 2012 9:10 PM BST
we use gps and scopes at our club for all competitions.

but l#ll put the cat amongst the pigeons when i tell them all that anybody with a smartphone in their bag should have been disqualified.

i wonder if i can get them "done" retrospectivelyDevil?
Report sewter lives again May 15, 2012 9:22 PM BST
this is from the english golf union website

MOBILE PHONES
a) Used as a distance measuring device (DMD)
If you use a mobile phone as a DMD, the phone must not have any other feature or application which can gauge or measure other conditions that might affect your play e.g. gradient, windspeed or temperature. If the phone has such a capability, irrespective of whether it is used, you will be disqualified.

For example, if your phone has a non-conforming feature or application such as a thermometer, spirit level, compass or anemometer (wind speed gauge), you will be disqualified, regardless of whether any such feature or application is actually used.
Report mexicano May 15, 2012 9:29 PM BST
now my understanding of that wording is that you will be disqualified if you use it as a measuring device. but not for having a device capable of such things in your posession.

is that how you see it?
Report sewter lives again May 15, 2012 9:37 PM BST
yes the rule says if you use it as a dmd and it has other capabilities

so i presume if you dont use it as a dmd you are OK
Report FIGJAM May 15, 2012 10:16 PM BST
I admit I am wrong,local rules state that you can not use apps as there are some that have gradient technology,therefor all are banned. This information I received from the director of golf at our club today.

However hands up all who have legitimate GPS but have a smart phone in their bag,for safety reasons for example?
Although they are not being used for compass or gradient advice they are still available for such knowledge.

As usual technology is overtaking the law makers, but of course if they were all banned this would solve the whole argument.
Report sewter lives again May 15, 2012 10:19 PM BST
figjam I think you can have the smartphone in your bag as long as you dont use it to measure distance
Report fundamentalist May 16, 2012 9:54 PM BST
Bizarrely the rules are written that you may not use a smartphone as a DMD (usually its the compass that makes it non compliant) but you may use the same smartphone as a phone or for example to check the rules.

http://www.randa.org/en/RandA/News/News/2012/March/Distance-Measuring-Devices.aspx?goback=.gde_2377813_member_104886812
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