Rangefinders.... Approve them for all....

[dasnav]

Why is it so hard to convince a comitee to approve the use in the UK

Hi all.

I am looking for some help / advice on how to put together a strong case for the use of rangefinders @ my local Golf Club, I am keen to get the Local rule passed as i firmly believe they will not only help my game, but will speed up the game & perhaps help a few other on the way..

My Comittee are reluctant to approve as they believe it to be an unfair advantage because not everyone could afford one..... I disagree & need your views and opinions on wheter they do improve speed of play.

Anyone also know of any Counties / Clubs who have approved the use...

Regards

Dasnav

[spooky]

I thought the rules had been updated so that committee approval was not required.

[Aztecs1]

How can you say that you feel that a use of a range finder would help your game, but then also disagree that it would be an unfair advantage for those who don't have one?

[dasnav]

Unfortunately not, the R&A have said that they are happy with them to be used, but only by local rule.

 

Therfore, clubs need to individually approve them, My club (Dartford) are stuck in the 70's and think we should be using Persimmon Heads & Commando golf balls...

 

At the moment, the county (Kent) are not approving the use for their Major competitions, Once they do, all clubs will probably fall into line....

 

I just want to get some information which backs up theory's of imporving speed of play and quality of golf to pass onto them so they csn make a more informed descision....

[dasnav]

My apologies, i didnt explain myself very well, The reason i disagree with the reasoning for it being an unfair advantage is because i was told it was unfair because not everyone could afford one...

 

Fair enough, but does this mean we all have to play with Donnay balls because poor old billy cant afford Pro-V1's...???

 

Dont think so...

 

Hope this clears this up..

[spooky]

How can you say that you feel that a use of a range finder would help your game, but then also disagree that it would be an unfair advantage for those who don't have one?

On that basis players should also not be allowed to use cavity back irons, etc, etc. Rangefinders, which I don't use at present by the way, are available to everyone. It therefore follows that it is not an unfair advantage, as anyone can buy one if they choose to do so. It is therefore easy for someone to say that a rangefinder would help their game and that this is not an unfair advantage, as an unfair advantage would be having something that others could not have.

[Aztecs1]

How can you say that you feel that a use of a range finder would help your game, but then also disagree that it would be an unfair advantage for those who don't have one?

On that basis players should also not be allowed to use cavity back irons, etc, etc. Rangefinders, which I don't use at present by the way, are available to everyone. It therefore follows that it is not an unfair advantage, as anyone can buy one if they choose to do so. It is therefore easy for someone to say that a rangefinder would help their game and that this is not an unfair advantage, as an unfair advantage would be having something that others could not have.

 

I'm all for the use of range finders and gps systems. I just found it funny how he was making his argument (until he cleared it up). I have and use both.

[spooky]

Oh, and good luck getting those metallic wooden club things approved as well. Personally, I am dreading the summer as it gets very difficult to play in my suit and tie :D

 

In all seriousness, have they considered that not everyone can afford the latest hi-tech clubs, drivers, best golf balls, etc. Perhaps you could also counter-argue by suggesting that not everybody can afford a Powakaddy (if that is spelled correctly) and that this therefore gives people an unfair advantage as it is easier than carrying clubs or pulling a trolley. I reckon you could spend hours providing legitimate examples... and it would probably make little difference :good:

[dasnav]

Oh, and good luck getting those metallic wooden club things approved as well. Personally, I am dreading the summer as it gets very difficult to play in my suit and tie :D

 

In all seriousness, have they considered that not everyone can afford the latest hi-tech clubs, drivers, best golf balls, etc. Perhaps you could also counter-argue by suggesting that not everybody can afford a Powakaddy (if that is spelled correctly) and that this therefore gives people an unfair advantage as it is easier than carrying clubs or pulling a trolley. I reckon you could spend hours providing legitimate examples... and it would probably make little difference :good:

 

I tried all these arguments... I am looking for some reinforcements to my arguments about speeding up play really & justifying their use....

[Taylormadematt]

Im having the same probs at my club, they don't live in the 70's just think it's unfair if i have one and no-one else, but what confusses me is that we have a yardage book with it all in anyway from about 6 different points per hole.

[larrybud]

My Comittee are reluctant to approve as they believe it to be an unfair advantage because not everyone could afford one.....

I would reply to that "Aren't $500 460CC drivers too?"

[Woodywatcher]

I too have the same problem here in the UK.

 

They gave me the same arguments and I too argued the points you made.

 

My solution was an unfortunate accident. I lost my GPS system and have decided not to replace it until the use of them is allowed in comps.

 

Otherwise, when you most need it, in the heat of a medal or stableford you can't use it.

 

Just have to wait until the establishment come around. They will but it will take time.

[nellski2004]

my club brancepeth castle(co durham) have allowed the use of gps, but our county golf union have not. i played in scotland last week in a scottish golf union order of merit event and was allowed to use my skycaddie,so work that one out!!! it was great no pacing off markers straight to the ball and instant yardage.its got to to speed play up.

[pflogger]

Let's see...I have a $2,500 bag of golf clubs here, and my tournament competitor is rather poor, and his bag consists of about $200.00 worth of used clubs (and he's making payments on them). Now, since this is golf, and the world of golf can get sort of snobbish, I'm rather embarassed he's in my fouresome. I mean, the guy's knickers don't even come close to matching his cheap golf cap (I mean, come on...if you can't afford a Tartan, why are you even playing?).

 

Sorry guy's...there is no argument for not allowing GPS in a local tournament setting. The only advantage is that it is "MUCH" faster than measuring from sprinkler heads, yardage books, calibrated eyeball, etc.. It gives no more information than is readily available with any of the other methods, but it is instantaneous. Ask the course how they set up the tournament. Did they use a "big chief" tablet and a #2 pencil? Chances are, they have software that makes tournament tracking and scoring a bit easier than that of the pre compuer era.

 

So don't argue that it shouldn't be allowed because not everyone can afford one, and those that can have an advantage. We have a local rule that if you can't afford a driver that retails for at least $500.00 YOU CAN'T Play!! No we don't discriminate in the least. If you have at least $2500.00 invested in your golf bag, drive a Mercedes, BMW, or a Lexus, and your wife has been seen on "E" at least once, you're more than welcome to play with us and use your GPS regardless of race, creed, or ethnicticity. Of course, because everyone has limits, we can't allow the use of solid gold divot repair tools over 4 ounces (local rule), as the price of gold has really shot up lately and our members are already complaining that they're only able to put half a tank's worth of gas in their H1 Hummers anymore.