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Ian Poulter's Cell Phone Photo

by Wendy Uzelac, USGA

Twitter is a fun application that keeps “followers” in the know of the people they choose to “follow.”

Ian Poulter is an active participant on Twitter with more than 80,000 followers, and he has been tweeting from the U.S. Open. This afternoon, after he played his third round, he tweeted a photo of his golf ball on the10th fairway. The ball was muddy, and he captioned it with his personal opinion about the situation. The rules question that arises is not about the mud, but rather about taking the picture of his ball during play. Believe it or not, it's not a violation.

Rule 14-3 is the rule regarding Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment which is the one that covers this situation.

14-3. Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment

The United States Golf Association (USGA) reserves the right, at any time, to change the Rules relating to artificial devices, unusual equipment and the unusual use of equipment, and make or change the interpretations relating to these Rules.

A player in doubt as to whether use of an item would constitute a breach of Rule 14-3 should consult the USGA.

A manufacturer should submit to the USGA a sample of an item to be manufactured for a ruling as to whether its use during a stipulated round would cause a player to be in breach of Rule 14-3. The sample becomes the property of the USGA for reference purposes. If a manufacturer fails to submit a sample or, having submitted a sample, fails to await a ruling before manufacturing and/or marketing the item, the manufacturer assumes the risk of a ruling that use of the item would be contrary to the Rules.

Except as provided in the Rules, during a stipulated round the player must not use any artificial device or unusual equipment, or use any equipment in an unusual manner:

a. That might assist him in making a stroke or in his play; or
b. For the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that might affect his play; or
c. That might assist him in gripping the club, except that:

(i) plain gloves may be worn;
(ii) resin, powder and drying or moisturizing agents may be used; and
(iii) a towel or handkerchief may be wrapped around the grip.

Exceptions:

1. A player is not in breach of this Rule if (a) the equipment or device is designed for or has the effect of alleviating a medical condition, (b) the player has a legitimate medical reason to use the equipment or device, and (c) the Committee is satisfied that its use does not give the player any undue advantage over other players.

2. A player is not in breach of this Rule if he uses equipment in a traditionally accepted manner.

Using a camera during a stipulated round to take a picture of mud on his golf ball does not gain Ian Poulter any knowledge that could assist him in his play. Decision 14-3/16 clarifies that it's not a problem under the Rules of Golf, and also addresses the use of other electronic devices taken onto the golf course.

14-3/16 Use of Electronic Devices

As provided in the Etiquette Section, players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.

The use of an electronic device such as a mobile phone, hand-held computer, calculator, television or radio is not itself a breach of Rule 14-3. For example, the following uses of an electronic device during a stipulated round are not a breach of the Rules:

• Using the device for matters unrelated to golf (e.g., to call home);

• Using the device to access information on advice-related matters that were published prior to the start of the player's round (e.g., an electronic yardage book, swing tips); or

• Using the device to obtain information related to the competition being played (e.g., the leader board or projected "cut").

However, examples of uses of an electronic device during a stipulated round that are a breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, include:

• Using the device (e.g., a television or radio) to watch or listen to a broadcast of the competition being played;

• Using the device to ask for or give advice in breach of Rule 8-1 (e.g., calling a swing coach at home); or

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