Morning all,

I have a couple of questions about Pennant Matchplay rules I’m hoping to straighten out.

The first relates to advice:

I’m well aware it is forbidden or another player in my team or the non-designated manager-type to give me advice on say a pin position, but what if my caddie goes around the course prior to the round and notes any critical pin placements that might be difficult to gauge from the fairway etc. He then informs the rest of the players in my team of anything they should be particularly careful about prior to the commencement of the match – is this allowed?

The second relates to distance devices: (NSW Pennant rules)

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES
18.1. During Pennant Competitions (irrespective of any Local Rule that may or may not be in effect at the Host Club), a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only.
However, if during an Individual Match, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, windspeed, temperature, compass etc), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.

18.2. The use of a mobile phone is prohibited by Condition 22. However, a Mobile Phone may be used as a Distance Measuring Device if it conforms to this Condition AND the ‘Phone communication’ facility of the Mobile Phone is turned off.

22. MOBILE PHONES
22.1. If a Mobile Phone has a Distance Measuring Device it may be used in line with Condition 18, however the ‘Phone communication’ facility of the Mobile Phone should be turned off. The Opponent should be informed if this facility on the Phone is to be used.

Ok so I use the iPhone GolfShot app and find it to be quite helpful on most courses. I assume when the rules above say the phone communication facility must be turned off they mean switch it to flight mode – the problem being that if the phone is on flight mode the GPS thing doesn’t work…

Is there another setting I need to use or do they just mean put the phone on silent so it doesn’t disturb play or do I have to go buy a proper GPS device?

Thanks,
JD

I’m well aware it is forbidden or another player in my team or the non-designated manager-type to give me advice on say a pin position,

This is not advice. It is a matter of public information.

but what if my caddie goes around the course prior to the round and notes any critical pin placements that might be difficult to gauge from the fairway etc. He then informs the rest of the players in my team of anything they should be particularly careful about prior to the commencement of the match – is this allowed?

Yes this still public information.
Positions of and distances between fixed objects is not advice.

Positions of and distances between fixed objects is not advice.

And, since 2006, distances between objects (whether fixed or not) is not advice.

Positions of and distances between fixed objects is not advice.

And, since 2006, distances between objects (whether fixed or not) is not advice.

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Just to clarify then RG… if I ask a FC who happens to have a rangefinder to stand next to my ball and tell me the distance to the flag, is this illegal?

It was my understanding that it was. If he happens to stand there and mention it under his own volition (for example his ball is nearby) then that is OK… Am I right?

Are range-finders permitted by Local Rule? If so, then you are permitted to have the information that they provide.

Otherwise, see Decision 14-3/0.7 .

Are range-finders permitted by Local Rule? If so, then you are permitted to have the information that they provide.

Otherwise, see Decision 14-3/0.7 .

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That’s good to know, thanks RG. I was always under the impression that I couldn’t ask for distances from a FC. DMDs are permitted at our course so it’s nice to know that I can ask for confirmation should I query some very dubios GPS mapping that is around the place.

Yes, thanks RG. I always imagined that when I was giving a number to a FC who didn’t happen to have a GPS, that I was technically breaking a rule and fell over myself to offer the information freely without requiring them to ask. Nice to know that I have been worrying for no reason.

As distance information is not advice, you can get it from any source.

Guy, I suspect that the ‘committee’ that wrote your pennant rules do not understand smart phones. Every smartphone that has gps includes compass functionality. There is probably an option to show the compass or not when using maps, but it’s still there.

The primary function of a phone is to use it as a phone. Whether it is in airplane mode or on ‘silent’, it can still be used as a phone. The only was to disable phone functionality would be to take out the SIM card.

If you were my opponent, I would object to your use of your phone as it contravenes the rules.

If you were my opponent, I would object to your use of your phone as it contravenes the rules.

See that’s the first thing I thought when I read it too… Consulting a few others away from this forum has given (unsurprisingly) varied opinions…

I’m probly gunna win that Bushnell comp anyway so I won’t have to worry…

Thanks all.

In the case of this rule I would just ignore it as I fail to see how my opponent can get any gain from the other apps on the phone.
However if I was a RO. for the event I would rule against the use of the phone unless the player could show that the banned apps were not available on the phone.

Since the iPhone has a compass that can’t be disabled, the phone is not permitted by the Rules to be used as a GPS.

Yes, thanks RG. I always imagined that when I was giving a number to a FC who didn’t happen to have a GPS, that I was technically breaking a rule and fell over myself to offer the information freely without requiring them to ask. Nice to know that I have been worrying for no reason.

You should probably stop falling over yourself in an attempt to circumvent the rules (or, in this case, something that you think is against the rules) as that may cause a problem for you later.

A comment could be made casually and thus not be considered advice; however, a player who was merely feigning an air of casualness to provide information that would constitute advice is in breach of Rule 8-1 (see Decision 8-1/8.

Dammit, foiled again!