GPS Green Reading on Voice Caddie SL3: Legal?

[_conejunkie]

I am potentially in the market for a new rangefinder/gps and was wondering if the use of the Putt View (see included screenshot) on the Voice Caddie SL3 is legal. My junior golfers play tournament golf - they follow USGA rules and are allowed to use rangefinders and gps devices so long as slope is off.

 

As a note, they are also allowed to use green reading material from StrackaLine and PuttView Books.

Thanks.

 

[Newby]

Would 2 The elevation from the ball to the pin not contravene ?

 

4.3a(1)Not Allowed.

• Measuring elevation changes,

[SNIPERBBB]

can you disable the elevation chages on the GPS? The GHIN app has its own GPS and green maps

[_conejunkie]

6 hours ago, Newby said:

Would 2 The elevation from the ball to the pin not contravene ?

 

4.3a(1)Not Allowed.

• Measuring elevation changes,

I guess that’s the question.

 

in a StrackaLine book for example, if there is an elevation change from say 150 (even on the tee box) out it will tell you that it’s +/- X yards.

 

 

on the SL3, it essentially does the same thing but gives it in inches/feet from where you are.

 

They both do not give a plays like distance nor does it measure (unless I’m not translating measuring correctly).

 

thoughts?

 

2 hours ago, SNIPERBBB said:

can you disable the elevation chages on the GPS? The GHIN app has its own GPS and green maps

 

I’ve emailed the vendor and am pending a response.

Edited December 29, 2023 by _conejunkie

[davep043]

This appears to be just another green-mapping system, with an added read-out of the elevation difference between two points.  As @Newby says, you may not use "equipment" to measure elevation differences, per 4.3a(1).  Consequently, I'd say you may not use that device unless you can disable the elevation change feature, along with any other slope measurement features.  

Things like Strakaline books are acceptable under 4.3a(3), information gathered before the round.  That's different from a device that actively measures elevation changes (or slopes).

Edited December 29, 2023 by davep043

[Mr. Bean]

You asked about green reading and now you are presenting what essentially is a normal stroke saver.

 

Anything published before the round (excluding green reading material which is limited to the exception provided in the Rules) is allowed to be used. What you are NOT allowed to use is any means that measures the elevation.

 

 

Edited December 29, 2023 by Mr. Bean

[_conejunkie]

GOT IT!
 

that’s a great reminder - any elevation measurements gathered during the round is considered illegal.

 

thanks all!

[SNIPERBBB]

Ah, the way the OP pic looked it seemed like it was showing the elevation change based on your current position. 

[davep043]

2 hours ago, SNIPERBBB said:

Ah, the way the OP pic looked it seemed like it was showing the elevation change based on your current position. 

As I read it, you can define both the ball and the pin position, and the device will use the green map to determine the elevation change between those two points.  

[limegreengent]

Just abolish green reading materials !!

Bring back the skill and art  to reading greens .

 

 

[davep043]

3 hours ago, limegreengent said:

Just abolish green reading materials !!

Bring back the skill and art  to reading greens .

This isn't particularly helpful for the OP, as he wants to know what the current rules allow, not what every crackpot thinks the rules should be.

[Halebopp]

Does the system actually measure elevation changes or simply calculate the difference of two values that were known before the round?

 

As an aside, I wonder how accurate such GPS maps could be when even "accurate" GPS measurements for the front and back of the green can easily be five metres off. Never mind the courses where GPS has the green tens of metres away from its actual location.

[_conejunkie]

Update: talked to voice caddie support and they said the elevation changes on the putting green can be turned off when you disable slope.

 

i ended up getting my hands on one and when you turn off slope for the rangefinder the gps DOES remove the ability to measure elevation changes on the putting green. Unfortunately for tournament play, it also removes the ability to see the green heat map and reverts back to just a standard green view only…

[rogolf]

5 hours ago, _conejunkie said:

Update: talked to voice caddie support and they said the elevation changes on the putting green can be turned off when you disable slope.

 

i ended up getting my hands on one and when you turn off slope for the rangefinder the gps DOES remove the ability to measure elevation changes on the putting green. Unfortunately for tournament play, it also removes the ability to see the green heat map and reverts back to just a standard green view only…

As it should be!👍