On January 1, 2014, a major change to the rules of golf came into effect: the authorization of the iPhone and other smartphones as distance measuring devices in competition. This positive change solves a problem that was causing much controversy and confusion. Golf clubs have been allowing distance measuring devices in their local rules since 2006. Most of them, in addition to GPS and laser rangefinders, also allowed GPS-enabled iPhone apps.
However, in 2012 the R&A clarified that the iPhone is not allowed to be used as a distance measuring device because it has a built-in compass and weather forecast. But now two decisions have been published (14-3/4 and 14-3/18) which, for the first time, allow these two functions and make it legal to use the iPhone to measure distances. This authorization is still subject to the condition that the club allows the use of distance measuring devices in the local rules. However, the iPhone must not have any other application installed on it that offers unpermitted assistance, e.g., a wind speed indicator. Note: Many GPS golf apps offer advice on club selection and are therefore still prohibited. “Expert Golf” is a notable exception, recommended by Apple, which complies perfectly with the rules of golf.
This amendment to the rules shows that the R&A and the USGA know how to evolve with the times and take into consideration new requirements and new technologies in their decisions. The R&A has not mentioned the role played by Yves C. Ton-That, referee and author of the worldwide bestseller “Rules of Golf, The Essentials” in this new ruling. Ton-That, creator of “Expert Golf” one of the most popular golf apps, had insisted time and again to golf bodies that neither the compass nor the weather forecast is an unfair advantage to the player, in his intense campaign for a rule change in line with modern requirements.
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