Is Arccos in tournament mode actually tournament legal?

[dmecca2]

Asking this question here before I play in a tournament. I don't plan on using it during the round, but if I did, would it be allowed? Arccos cites USGA Decision Number 2017-0754 to deem their product tournament legal, but after reading the decision, I'm not sure the USGA really understands how in depth the app truly is even in tournament mode. 

https://www.arccosgolf.com/blogs/community/arccos-caddie-now-permitted-under-the-rules-of-golf

 

For example:

• In tournament mode, I am still able to see the wind direction on every hole. I'm not sure if this wind updates live during the round from a weather service, or if it's taken from the days wind and is constant. Is this legal?
• I can still look back during the round and see exactly how far I hit my club on the same hole or previous holes. As I understand it, that's not allowed, but is the penalty only applied if I go through the process of doing that? Or does that feature deem the app non-conforming. 
• Switching on and off tournament mode is as easy as pressing a button on a hole. It's not a preselected feature before the round that can't be undone. You can turn it on, gather data, and turn it off in a matter of seconds. This doesn't seem right to me. 
• Also, I'm pretty sure overhead GPS apps are legal as long as they don't show slope, but I always feel dirty using it instead of my rangefinder. If I turn it on in tournament mode to check a distance my rangefinder can't gather, would it still be allowed?
• Lastly, the screw in tags at the butt of the clubs. On the larger clubs the weight is negligible, but on the sand wedge and putter you can feel them (I don't use them on my putter because of swing weight issues). Would these be illegal on the club if you don't use the app? Would these be legal in an event where DMD's are prohibited when you don't use the app at all?

 

Edited April 16, 2021 by dmecca2

[Sawgrass]

All good questions and my respect for asking/caring.
 

In general it’s the USE of illegal functions that cause penalties, not the mere presence of the capability. 
 

Nevertheless if I were you I would confer with your specific tournament committee and go by what they tell you, they’re in charge.  There’s no fun in being “right” if you get DQ by someone who gets confused. 

[Halebopp]

Like Sawgrass said, you might want to check with the organisers but here's my take on the issues.

 

Wind - legal, the information must be coming from some weather station, no different from you opening a weather application on your phone. The Arccos equipment can't measure it for you on the spot.

 

Distances - legal. Measuring distances is ok. You might just as well pace the distance for yourself and write it down on a piece of paper. It just can't interpret the data or make any recommendations for you regarding club selection. Naturally DMDs would need to not be disallowed in the event.

 

Ability to switch - legal. Range finders with slope feature are legal despite the fact you might only need to push a single button to switch in between the different modes. 

 

GPS - legal as long as DMDs are legal.

 

Sensors, I don't see an issue with them:

 

Examples of attachments that could be permitted include:

• Temporary, non-permanent attachments to the butt end of the grip such as tee pegs, ball markers or ball retrieving devices, provided:

• such items do not cause the grip to be considered moulded for the hands or create a bulge or waist in the grip; and
• the outer diameter of the item is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the butt end of the grip and the item does not extend beyond the butt end of the grip by more than 2 inches (50.8mm).

Edited April 16, 2021 by Halebopp

[dmecca2]

46 minutes ago, Halebopp said:

Like Sawgrass said, you might want to check with the organisers but here's my take on the issues.

 

Wind - legal as long as the information must be coming from some weather station, no different from you opening a weather application on your phone. The Arccos equipment can't measure it for you on the spot.

 

Distances - legal. Measuring distances is ok. You might just as well pace the distance for yourself and write it down on a piece of paper. It just can't interpret the data or make any recommendations for you regarding club selection. Naturally DMDs would need to not be disallowed in the event.

 

Ability to switch - legal. Range finders with slope feature are legal despite the fact you might only need to push a single button to switch in between the different modes. 

 

GPS - legal as long as DMDs are legal.

 

Sensors, I don't see an issue with them:

 

Examples of attachments that could be permitted include:

• Temporary, non-permanent attachments to the butt end of the grip such as tee pegs, ball markers or ball retrieving devices, provided:

• such items do not cause the grip to be considered moulded for the hands or create a bulge or waist in the grip; and
• the outer diameter of the item is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the butt end of the grip and the item does not extend beyond the butt end of the grip by more than 2 inches (50.8mm).

Thanks. Definitely makes me feel better about them. I really love the app and I've found the wind direction to help me a lot more than I thought it would.

[Skydiver22]

It is allowed...  If questioned, open the app. Click on the player tab, click on the setting tab.  scroll down to the USGA letter. This letter is from the USGA stating it is conforming if it is in tournament mode.  I play in local and state championships as well as the World Am... which is the strictest tourney I've ever played in.  Never a problem.

[dmecca2]

1 hour ago, Skydiver22 said:

It is allowed...  If questioned, open the app. Click on the player tab, click on the setting tab.  scroll down to the USGA letter. This letter is from the USGA stating it is conforming if it is in tournament mode.  I play in local and state championships as well as the World Am... which is the strictest tourney I've ever played in.  Never a problem.

I read the letter and linked it in my post... It's based on the information provided to them and their understanding of the app's functions. The USGA also reserves the right to reverse this decision at any time that they please, so it isn't an end all be all type of ruling. 

 

I just wanted to make sure they didn't misinterpret how the app functioned and to clarify some questions I had. 

Edited April 16, 2021 by dmecca2

[rogolf]

5 hours ago, dmecca2 said:

I read the letter and linked it in my post... It's based on the information provided to them and their understanding of the app's functions. The USGA also reserves the right to reverse this decision at any time that they please, so it isn't an end all be all type of ruling. 

 

I just wanted to make sure they didn't misinterpret how the app functioned and to clarify some questions I had. 

Sawgrass provdied the best advice above - go to the specific tournament committee and review it with them.  They are the authority for that tournament, and even if they're wrong, they're right until shown otherwise.