NCAA Division I Women's Golf

Transcription

1 NCAA Division I Women's Golf Notes for Coaches and Players on Coaches, Advice in Team Competition, Electronic Communication Devices and Distance-Measuring Devices The following notes are intended to clarify certain Local Rules and Conditions of Competition. These guidelines apply during competition rounds but not to practice rounds. These notes do not override (nor are they a substitute for a thorough understanding of) the Rules of Golf, the Decisions on the Rules of Golf, and the text of any Local Rule or Condition of Competition which might be in effect. Local Rules and Conditions of Competition for NCAA Tournaments ("Hard Card") The provisions of the NCAA Hard Card, unless specifically overridden by a Committee's Notice to Players, cover four important topics: Coaches, Advice in Team Competition, Electronic Communication Devices, and Distance-Measuring Devices. Coaches Coaches are outside agencies under the Rules of Golf. However, certain actions by coaches may result in a penalty to the player. See text of the Hard Card and the additional instructions below. Advice in Team Competition As the coach is authorized to give advice, the relationship between the player and the coach is analogous to the relationship between a player and her partner (and/or either of their caddies). As such, if the coach breaches a Rule in the process of giving advice to a player, that player is deemed to have requested the advice, and would be liable for the breach of the Rule. When in the role of giving advice, a designated coach must take care to ensure that any communications she/he has with other parties (i.e., other than the other designated coach and the players) conform to the Rules. In particular, the designated coach should not receive advice from a third party (i.e., anyone other than the team's other designated coach or a player) in order to pass advice on to a player. In such a case, the third party should be informed that she/he is not permitted to give advice to either of the two designated coaches and that her/his team would be subject to penalty if they continue such practice. 1

2 For example, if a player's parent or personal golf instructor were to offer advice to a coach about the player not being aligned correctly, the coach needs to take immediate action to stop this irregular procedure. If the coach fails to do so and continues to receive advice from the parent or instructor, in equity (Rule 1-4), the player would incur a penalty for each such breach in view of the purpose of Rule 8-1. Electronic Communication Devices Coaches are permitted to use electronic communication devices for certain purposes during the round. However, a coach must not use the electronic device for the purpose of communicating advice to a player. Additionally, the use of such devices must be done in a private manner so as not to disrupt any players. Devices including cell phones, walkietalkies, and two-way radios are permissible. The use of such a device must not breach Rule See Decision 14-3/16 for details on permitted and prohibited uses of electronic devices during a stipulated round. Distance-Measuring Devices (DMDs) Players may use DMDs during the stipulated round. Coaches may use DMDs in the course of giving advice to a player. However, both players and coaches must ensure that any device so used complies with the Rules of Golf. Application of the Local Rule Permitting the Use of DMDs Definitions: The following terms are provided to help players and coaches better understand the terminology used in this section: 1. Two types of conforming DMDs are permitted under the Local Rule: Stand-alone devices are designed to measure distance and, while the device may have additional features, the primary function of the device is to measure distance. Common devices include lasers, and handheld and watch-style GPS units. Multi-functional devices are devices such as mobile phones and tablets that are designed for general use yet it is also possible to install an application or program which would allow the device to function as a DMD. 2. Effective playing distance is used to describe the use of measured data other than distance (e.g., elevation, temperature, shot trajectory, humidity, or wind) to calculate a distance other than the actual distance from the device to the target. 3. Access means that a player has viewed or otherwise used the information generated by a prohibited function or the player uses a device where such output is displayed. 2

3 FAQs: Application of the Local Rule Q-1 With the Local Rule allowing DMDs in place, may players share the device? A-1 Yes. The Definition of "Advice" and Decision 8-1/2 clarify that the distance between objects is a matter of public information and therefore not advice. Distance-Measuring Devices Q-2 What restrictions apply to stand-alone devices? A-2 Stand-alone devices may contain many functions, however; certain functions may not be accessed during the stipulated round without violating Rule Examples of functions which may not be accessed 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); 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 elevation changes or other conditions affecting shot distance. Q-3 Can a stand-alone device include a club recommendation feature? A-3 Yes but you may not access such recommendations during the stipulated round. However, you are permitted to reference a chart of estimated distances you hit each club based on data processed from prior rounds. As a result, a device can include a similar function (e.g., display the average distances you hit each club), which still requires the player to make a decision in selecting a club. The device must not use data collected from the current stipulated round to recalculate the average distances displayed until after the stipulated round is complete. Q-4 Can a device measure and record the distance I hit my clubs? A-4 Yes so long as any data collected is not used during the stipulated round in a manner that is not permitted (e.g., updating average club distances, displaying yardages hit during the stipulated round other than on the hole currently being played). 3

4 Multi-Functional Devices The following questions provide guidance only to multi-functional devices, such as a smart phone or a tablet. By design, these devices are capable of performing many different functions during a stipulated round, only one of which is the ability to measure distance. It is important to recognize the interactions of the multiple Rules regulating what is generally permitted and those that apply only if the device is used to measure distance. Q-5 Is it OK to use a multi-functional device to measure distance? A-5 Yes, however additional care should be taken to ensure that using a multi-functional device to measure distance is not in breach of the Rules. Multi-functional devices may contain other features or applications that, if accessed by the player during the stipulated round, would cause the player to be in breach of Rule Q-6 Are there features or capabilities that may not be included as part of an application being used to measure distance? A-6 No. Any feature or capability permitted on a conforming stand-alone device is also permitted within a distance-measuring application. However, if an application is capable of measuring anything, other than distance, that might assist the player in his play, accessing this information during the stipulated round would be a breach of Rule Q-7 When a multi-functional device is being used to measure distance what other installed features or applications are prohibited, even if these additional applications are not used? A-7 There are no restrictions on the types of features or applications that might be available on a multi-functional device. However, there are features or applications which may not be accessed during the stipulated round. While not a comprehensive list, if a multifunctional device is being used as a DMD, the following features or applications must not be accessed: Any application or feature that can measure or gauge variable conditions that might assist the player in his play (e.g., anemometer, pressure, etc.); or Any application designed to analyze the golf swing. Q-8 While Q-7 indicates that I cannot measure or gauge weather conditions that might assist me in my play, can I use an Internet browser or application installed on a multifunctional device to access weather-related information that was measured through a local weather station (e.g., temperature, wind speed, nearby lightning strikes, etc.)? A-8 Yes, accessing weather information reported by another source is permitted, whereas actively measuring or gauge these conditions is not. See Decision 14-3/18. 4

5 Q-9 There are many features and applications available for multi-functional devices that could be used in a way that might assist me in my play. Are there general guidelines that should be followed to ensure that, if used, they are only used in a way that does not breach Rule 14-3? A-9 The following examples are provided to help clarify how a variety of common features and applications can be used in such a way that is not a breach of the Rules and how these same features or applications, when used in a different way, would result in a disqualification penalty under Rule Phone, text messaging, , Internet OK to call home, respond to or send a business , or check the weather Not OK to call a swing coach and discuss your swing Camera (still photos and videos) OK to capture your swing and review it after the round Not OK to review an image or video that was recorded during the round Spirit Level Use of a spirit level is a breach only if the level is used in such a way that might assist the player (e.g., measure the slope on the green) Note: These features or applications can be present or installed on a multi-functional device regardless of whether the device is being used to measure distance. See Decision 14-3/16. Jerry Lemieux Head Rules Official NCAA Division I Women's Golf January 5,