Artificial Devices
Artificial devices are all objects and devices that could help you while playing and that, according to the rules of golf, do not belong to the permitted equipment.
The rulebook deals with the topic under the keyword equipment and draws a clear line: what is expressly permitted in the rulebook is allowed, everything else is forbidden during the round. This includes, for example, swing aids and training devices, special gloves with grip reinforcement or measuring devices with forbidden additional functions. Perfectly normal things such as tees, ball markers, a pitch mark repair tool or a distance measurer without slope function are allowed, on the other hand. Whoever uses a forbidden device in a competition risks disqualification. The details are set out in the rulebook; additions may stand in the local rules of the facility.
In practice, the most common case is the distance measurer. An example: you use a laser with slope function, which converts the slope into a "plays like" distance. In a tournament this is only allowed if the function is completely switched off. A fellow competitor sees the switched-on mode, reports it, and your round is over. Also popular: the grip trainer that sits in the practice bag and serves as a warm-up aid before the round. If you use it between holes as a swing crutch, that is already a breach.
The biggest misconception is the assumption that the ban only applies to professionals. It applies in every counting competition, also in the club tournament on Sunday. On the driving range, on the other hand, you may work with any training aid that helps you — no game is in progress there. If you are unsure whether a device is allowed, ask before the round at the club office. It costs a minute and saves you trouble on the scorecard.
FAQ
May I use my distance measurer in a tournament?
In principle yes, but with one important restriction: additional functions such as the slope calculation, which converts slopes into an adjusted distance, must be completely switched off. If you use such a function in a counting competition, you risk disqualification — also at the small club tournament on Sunday.
Where exactly is the line between permitted equipment and a forbidden device?
Permitted is what the rulebook expressly allows: tees, ball markers, a pitch mark repair tool, normal distance measurers. Forbidden during the round are swing and training aids, special gloves with grip reinforcement and devices with unauthorised measuring functions. If in doubt, ask before the round at the club office — it costs a minute and saves you trouble on the scorecard.
Does the ban on artificial devices also apply to practice on the range?
No, on the driving range you may work with any training aid that helps you — no game is in progress there. The ban only takes effect during the round being played, which already includes the warm-up aid between two holes. Whoever uses the grip trainer before the round and then packs it into the bag does everything right.