CJGA POLICY ON THE USE OF DISTANCE-MEASURING DEVICES
Distance-Measuring Device Policy (PDF)
WORDING OF THE LOCAL RULE ALLOWING THE USE OF DMDs IN 2013 AND THE INFORMATION FROM APPENDIX IV:
CJGA LOCAL RULE FOR 2013:
In competitions conducted by the CJGA in 2013, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, 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, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.
INFORMATION FROM APPENDIX IV TO THE 2012-15 RCGA RULE BOOK:
5. Distance-Measuring Devices (Rule 14-3)
During a stipulated round, the use of any distance measuring device is not permitted unless the Committee has introduced a Local Rule to that effect (see Note to Rule 14-3 and Appendix I; Part B; Section 9).
Even when the Local Rule is in effect, the device must be limited to measuring distance only. Features that would render use of the device contrary to the Local Rule include, but are not limited to:
- the gauging or measuring of slope;
- the gauging or measuring of other conditions that might affect play (e.g., wind speed or direction, or other climate-based information such as temperature, humidity, etc.);
- recommendations that might assist the player in making a stroke or in his play (e.g., club selection, type of shot to be played, green reading or any other advice related matter); or
- calculating the effective distance between two points based on slope or other conditions affecting shot distance.
Such non-conforming features render use of the device contrary to the Rules, irrespective of whether or not:
- the features can be switched off or disengaged; and
- the features are switched off or disengaged.
A multi-functional device, such as a smartphone or PDA, may be used as a distance measuring device provided it contains a distance measuring application that meets all of the above limitations (i.e., it must measure distance only). In addition, when the distance measuring application is being used, there must be no other features or applications installed on the device that, if used, would be in breach of the Rules, whether or not they are actually used.