I understand the iPhone is illegal equipment due to the compass and ability to get weather conditions. I have however also heard that local ruling can allow it’s use? Can someone clarify. (also find it funny there is a app for R&A rulings for it)

They allow it in Saturday comp at my course, but I don’t know how official it is.

It is not legal to use a Distance measuring device unless there is a local rule in place allowing their use.
When the local rule is ion place it allows devices that measure distance only. Any phone with Apps that give up to date weather details . Compass Apps or anything else other than distance Information are not legal.
Personally I cannot see the local club captain standing next to the first tee Checking to see if each player is carrying an I phone. Or the players Marker peering over his shoulder to check if his phone has a compass in it.
I carry my phone on course. It has a compass in it.
I do not use the GPS but I am carrying the device because I am on call.
Does that mean that I am DQd if I have to answer the phone whilst playing comp.?
I believe that it is time that the rule makers Either Banned DMDs altogether or allowed them complete with all apps
The present rule is nigh on unenforceable.

So from reading what Pom has written, I should also be DQ if I use my phone mid round to see if that ugly black cloud heading straight at the golf course is in fact a dirty big thunderstorm??

Like this image saved from phone

Coonabarabran is my course, we had hid in clubhouse for the early ones and the last one was approaching rapidly

I have to carry my phone all the time, for work and family reasons.

It’s not a breach of the Rules to look at a weather forecast on the iPhone.

That wasn’t a weather forecast that was the up to the minute radar image

Still fine :-)

Then what sort of weather info is not acceptable & how is anyone supposed to know what another player is looking at?

I can understand that the R&A has taken a stance (in the 2012 rules) and said that a device that has functions other than linear distance is not legal. I also believe that an overwhelming number of captains, committees and clubs are not going to enforce this rule in competitions. The tragedy of this approach is that many players will now say that if this rule can be overlooked why should we worry about such things as two signatures on cards etc. etc. etc.

Then what sort of weather info is not acceptable & how is anyone supposed to know what another player is looking at?

It’s only a breach of the Rules if the gadget can measure weather features directly, e.g. windspeed or temp.

How’s anyone supposed to know if the player kicks his ball to a better position in the rough or if he’s quiet about a movement of the ball?
Nothing’s new with the electronic gadgets around, we still have to trust the integrety of the players.

I can understand that the R&A has taken a stance (in the 2012 rules) and said that a device that has functions other than linear distance is not legal.

There may be no change to the rules on Functions but to my mind Techgnology is leaving the Rules makers behind.
How would a player Gain any benefit from knowing the exact wind speed or Direction. As it Fluctuates anyway & what is gained by Knowing the Compass direction .
Personally I fail to see what the rules makers are trying to Achieve by allowing thse Smart phones to be used with proviso’s. Either allow them as is or totally ban them.

At the end of the day no player I have ever played with in comp has complained about me using an iphone. I use it to store my stats as I have a laser rangefinder for distances.
There is however, under the rules, a chance that some rule stickler could report my use and have me DQ.
It is a risk I gladly take.

An iphone is perfectly ok to use the way you are using it, parbreaker. It’s only when it is used as a distance measuring device does it matter if there’s a compass or other non-conforming ability on board.

As I have said before I cant believe your averager golfer would worry about using the iphone for wind and weather reasons.. I have always thought this rule is a way of protecting the makers of the gps only devices.. Just a joke that they sell theses for anywhere between $100-$300 when you can get a gps app on phone for under $40 or even free(not that I have found them)..

As I have said before I cant believe your averager golfer would worry about using the iphone for wind and weather reasons.. I have always thought this rule is a way of protecting the makers of the gps only devices.. Just a joke that they sell theses for anywhere between $100-$300 when you can get a gps app on phone for under $40 or even free(not that I have found them)..

http://www.golflink.com.au/...

myCaddie Pro for iphone is FREE twinkles

Then what sort of weather info is not acceptable & how is anyone supposed to know what another player is looking at?

It’s only a breach of the Rules if the gadget can measure weather features directly, e.g. windspeed or temp.

How’s anyone supposed to know if the player kicks his ball to a better position in the rough or if he’s quiet about a movement of the ball?
Nothing’s new with the electronic gadgets around, we still have to trust the integrety of the players.

I can resist everything except temptation.

So, does an iPhone measure temperature and wind speed?

It gives forecasts, but I don’t think I can measure those with it,

That therefore makes it legal to use?

I have always thought this rule is a way of protecting the makers of the gps only devices.. .

http://www.golflink.com.au/...

Compasses , 14-3/4, and plumb lines, 14-3/11, were illegal before electronic measuring devices came along. There are inclinometer apps, and lasers with slope are illegal, so no protection conspiracies please :-)

Just a joke that they sell theses for anywhere between $100-$300 when you can get a gps app on phone for under $40 or even free(not that I have found them).

Not a joke at all. Not everyone has or even wants to spend the big dollars on a compatible, GPS-enabled phone. Plus dedicated devices can be more robust, last longer on battery and simpler to use. A definite market for them.

I have always thought this rule is a way of protecting the makers of the gps only devices.. .

http://www.golflink.com.au/...

Compasses , 14-3/4, and plumb lines, 14-3/11, were illegal before electronic measuring devices came along. There are inclinometer apps, and lasers with slope are illegal, so no protection conspiracies please :-)

This is my understanding why the iPhone is illegal to have on you. The phone has a compass. IT IS NOT A APP. It is a standard feature. Therefore if you’re carrying a iPhone you have a compass which is illegal.
I agree that most amateurs, myself included, would gain no benefit from having the information it provides. But it is classed as illegal.
I agree with Peg that for purpose of self preservation the forecast is highly important to be able to obtain. Surely it is a rule that needs to be reevaluated as to what advantage is obtained by a compass or weather to be minimal if any. That was why I thought I had heard some clubs allowed their use by making it a ‘local rule’. I would imagine if there is no thunderstorm warning siren the information would be lifesaving.

Therefore if you’re carrying a iPhone you have a compass which is illegal.

You’re allowed to carry a traditional compass—you just can’t use it. 14-3/4

You’re allowed to carry an iphone, to check on rules, to do your stats,... You can’t use the built-in compass.

You can not use a GPS app on your iphone if it’s a model with an inbuilt compass.

Then what sort of weather info is not acceptable & how is anyone supposed to know what another player is looking at?

It’s only a breach of the Rules if the gadget can measure weather features directly, e.g. windspeed or temp.

How’s anyone supposed to know if the player kicks his ball to a better position in the rough or if he’s quiet about a movement of the ball?
Nothing’s new with the electronic gadgets around, we still have to trust the integrety of the players.

I can resist everything except temptation.

RulesDoc

A supplementary question if I am allowed.

From the same site as that radar image, the following can be obtained

All well and good, it is not up to the minute but other recording stations within Australian provide a far more constant update of their records. This information is not directly available from the phone itself but push a couple of buttons and voila you have up to date information in regards to wind speed, direction and wind gusts.

Still okay or pushing the boundaries of use of the phone on course??

Therefore if you’re carrying a iPhone you have a compass which is illegal.

You’re allowed to carry a traditional compass—you just can’t use it. 14-3/4

You’re allowed to carry an iphone, to check on rules, to do your stats,... You can’t use the built-in compass.

You can not use a GPS app on your iphone if it’s a model with an inbuilt compass.

 

This illustrates the point I am trying to make. You cannot walk onto the first tee with 15 clubs in the bag & state that it is your intention not to use club X, but you can carry an I-Phone And use it as long as you do not use Apps that can give you present Wind speed or elevation Figures, or if the Phone has a Built in Compass.ETC. To my mind this is just making A set of rules, that many club level players find confusing , More difficult for those players to understand.
If my Fellow competitor hits his ball into a water Hazard there is a fair chance that I will see where point of entry was & thus be able to point out that spot to FC. If FC is standing a few feet away looking at the screen of his Smart Phone . No way do I know what he is looking at unless I either Ask or push my head in & have a look.( Not about to try that BTW ).

Then what sort of weather info is not acceptable & how is anyone supposed to know what another player is looking at?

It’s only a breach of the Rules if the gadget can measure weather features directly, e.g. windspeed or temp.

How’s anyone supposed to know if the player kicks his ball to a better position in the rough or if he’s quiet about a movement of the ball?
Nothing’s new with the electronic gadgets around, we still have to trust the integrety of the players.

I can resist everything except temptation.

RulesDoc

A supplementary question if I am allowed.

From the same site as that radar image, the following can be obtained

All well and good, it is not up to the minute but other recording stations within Australian provide a far more constant update of their records. This information is not directly available from the phone itself but push a couple of buttons and voila you have up to date information in regards to wind speed, direction and wind gusts.

Still okay or pushing the boundaries of use of the phone on course??

http://www.golflink.com.au/...

Peg has Bear_Vision

The iphone is not an instrument for measuring the wind or weather, only relaying the information, just like a radio. So yes. Still ok.

Yep, still OK.