Any driver that appears on these lists is conforming, and, therefore, "legal" to use under the Rules of Golfer. If you cannot find your driver on these lists, that probably means the driver is non-conforming and, therefore, cannot be used in tournament rounds or other rounds of golf played by the rules.
Full Answer
What is the legal length of a driver in golf?
Legal driver length Under the Rules of Golf, the maximum length of a club is 48 inches. Clubs must be at least 18 inches long and cannot exceed the 48 inches. Lengths of putters is now a concern due to the proliferation of long putters in golf; however, the 48-inch limit of shafts in the Rules of Golf does not apply to putters.
What are the rules of golf for illegal drivers?
According to the association, golf drivers must conform to specific dimensions in terms of length, weight and head volume. Club materials are also restricted to avoid any undue advantage, such as an excessive spring effect. Illegal drivers create increased swing speed and greater distance.
What is an illegal driver?
Illegal drivers create increased swing speed and greater distance. While all clubs used during USGA events must comply with association guidelines, some manufacturers knowingly produce non-conforming drivers for amateur weekend golfers. Many major companies make club models that are on the USGA's list of non-conforming drivers.
What does'legal'mean in golf clubs?
What's that all about? The short answer: The governing bodies of golf—the USGA and R&A—set parameters that golf clubs must meet in order to be "legal" under the Rules of Golf. But just because a given driver doesn't meet those standards doesn't mean a manufacturer can't make it and sell it.
What is a legal driver golf?
The head must be longer from heel to toe than from face to back. It can't be longer from heel to toe than 5 inches or taller from sole to crown than 2.8 inches. And the volume of the clubhead can't be more than 460 cubic centimeters, with an allowed variance of 10 cubic centimeters.
Is a 460cc driver Legal?
The current USGA limit on club head size is 460cc, so this is the main reason the club is illegal. Larger club head sizes typically lead to an extra distance for the players. Another great feature of this driver is the fact that it is made with a premium lightweight graphite shaft.
What size driver is legal?
Under the Rules of Golf, the maximum length of a club is 48 inches. Clubs must be at least 18 inches long and cannot exceed the 48 inches.
What is the legal length for a driver in the PGA?
46 inchesGolf's governing bodies announced a new model local rule Tuesday that will reduce the maximum length of driver shafts from 48 to 46 inches. The rule, which goes into effect Jan. 1, will allow the various tours the option to implement a local rule (MLR G-10) that will cap driver length at 46 inches.
What is the largest legal golf driver?
460ccBiggest legal driver head size: The maximum driver club head size that the USGA allows is 460cc.
What Taylormade driver is illegal?
Taylor Made, another manufacturer with multiple non-conforming clubs, produces the R510 driver, which can create lofts of 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 degrees. Inspection of the club head will provide identification. The illegal Taylor Made R510 drivers have no etched score marks in the center of its club face.
Are 48-inch drivers legal?
With the USGA and R&A placing a cap on driver length via a new local rule, which is slated to go into effect in 2022, professionals and elite amateurs will no longer be allowed to use a driver in excess of 46 inches — the current limit is 48 inches — at events that choose to implement the rule.
How long is DeChambeau's driver?
Bryson DeChambeau can only use a 48-inch driver when he's competing in Long Drive Association events. Golf's governing bodies announced a new “model local rule” available Jan. 1 that would limit the maximum length of all clubs except the putter to 46 inches.
What makes a golf club legal?
A club “must not be substantially different from the traditional and customary form and make,” meaning that it must contain a shaft and a head, and that it “may” also contain a grip. These parts must be secured together to form “one unit,” with no external attachments.
How long is Rickie Fowler's driver?
43.5”Inspired by Rickie Fowler's 43.5” driver used on Tour, the SPEEDZONE™ Tour Length driver is configured with a shorter 44.5” playing length, and 18g & 6g weights to help deliver more accuracy off the tee without sacrificing distance.
How long should your driver be based on height?
Tony Finau is one of the tallest golfers on the PGA Tour at 6'4″, and his driver's length is usually around 45 inches. Both Finau and Fowler are two of the longest drivers on the PGA Tour....Driver Shaft Length Based Solely on Height.Height (feet/inches)Driver Shaft Length5'0″-5'2″44.5″4'10”-5'0″44″< 4'10”43″7 more rows•May 9, 2021
How long is Dustin Johnson's driver shaft?
45.75 inchesSPECS TaylorMade SIM2, 10.5°, Fujikura Ventus Black proto 6X shaft, 45.75 inches.
What are the rules for golf drivers?
The Rules of Golf regulate both game play and the equipment used to play golf. Rule 4 and Appendix II outline the rules as they apply to all clubs, including drivers.
What is Rule 4 in golf?
Rule 4 of the Rules of Golf regulates a driver's use during a round. You can't purposely change or adjust a club in any way; if you do, it becomes a nonconforming driver and you face a penalty.
What is the clubface of a golf club?
Any face that creates significantly more or less spin than a standard steel face or acts like a trampoline to "bounce" the ball a greater distance is not allowed. Faces that are grooved or "punch-marked" are allowed, but rules regulate the size and depth of these marks.
How long is a golf club shaft?
A club's shaft length must be greater than 18 inches but not more than 48 inches.
Do drivers have to have the same shaft?
General. Drivers must conform to most of the same rules as the other clubs. For example, drivers need to be "traditional," with only have one head and one shaft. It's possible, however, to have a club without material added for a grip.
Can you have holes in a driver's clubhead?
The driver's clubhead is where most manufacturers become experimental, so it's also regulated. You can't have holes of any type in the clubhead – apart from the shaft's mounting hole, of course – and protrusions or depressions in the head's body must not extend onto the face.
How long is a golf driver?
The standard length for a men's driver is in the 43-inch to 45-inch range; graphite clubs are often an inch longer, or 45 to 46 inches, since steel shafts weigh more and the length of the graphite shaft balances the shaft. Players can be custom-fit at a golf shop for the proper length of their club shafts.
What is the maximum shaft size for trick shot golf?
Trick-shot artists often use drivers with shafts of 65 inches or longer. However, these clubs do not conform to the 48-inch limit in the Rules of Golf and cannot be used in official tournaments.
What is the longest shafted club in a golf bag?
By Joe Miegoc. The driver is often the longest-shafted club in a player's bag. In its role as the governing body of the game of golf in the country, the United States Golf Association annually tests more than 2,000 articles of equipment each year, including golf clubs, club components, tees, balls and even golf gloves.
What is the USGA list?
The USGA publishes a list updated every Monday. It contains club names and manufacturers as well as identifying marks on the club itself and contains pictures of each to help users identify non-conforming clubs. Please note this list applies only to clubs used in events played by USGA rules. See additional resources for the USGA listing of legal golf clubs.
Can you use non-conforming drivers on the PGA?
Non-conforming drivers cannot be used during any sanctioned event on the PGA, LPGA, Nationwide or Champions Tour. In addition, the American Junior Golf Association follows guidelines and rules identical to the USGA regarding non-legal golf clubs.
Does the USGA evaluate clubs?
The USGA only evaluates clubs for tournaments in the United States . The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews has been following the same procedures for conformity as the USGA since the revamping of the Rules of Gulf in 2008.
What are the rules and regulations for golf?
Golfing governing bodies such as the USGA and the R and A set standards for equipment and rules that apply to any golf competition or rounds that count towards your handicap. The purposes of the governing body rules are to protect the integrity of the game.
What shafts are used on non-conforming drivers?
Most conforming drivers come standard with lightweight graphite shafts. Since the club head of non-conforming drivers is much larger than legal drivers, it is only reasonable to expect graphite shafts on non-conforming drivers.
What is non-conforming driver?
Most non-conforming drivers are produced by manufacturers that are outside the premium brands. These manufacturers do not have the money to do major research and development while the quality processes may be lacking a bit. It is highly recommended that you research before purchasing a non-conforming driver.
Can Pinemeadow golf clubs be dented?
the club can easily be dented and paint chipped. Pinemeadow is one of the better-known manufacturers that has a non-conforming driver in its range. This driver has a 500cc head exceeding the allowable maximum by just under ten percent.
Is it legal to drive a golf club?
However, not all of it is legal and this leads us to take a look at the best illegal/non-conforming golf drivers. Drivers are generally the most prized club for most golfers, and equipment manufacturers put a lot of time, money, and effort into developing better drivers.
Can you practice driving with non-conforming drivers?
Non-conforming drivers can be used for practice at the driving range, or during unofficial rounds. Remember never to count a round played with illegal equipment toward your handicap. The most important rule applicable to drivers is the size of the head being limited to 460cc.
Bridgestone
The Bridgestone Sports Co. manufactures numerous illegal drivers, including the Tourstage V800, which produces lofts of 9 degrees and 11 degrees. On its sole, the Tourstage V800 possesses a curved line and a triangle logo for identification purposes. The back of the club also has a circular weight insert.
Callaway
One of the biggest names in golf club manufacturing, Callaway caters to recreational golfers with a variety of non-conforming drivers from its Big Bertha and E.R.C. model lines. The Callaway Big Bertha 460 HT driver delivers a 13-degree loft.
Diamond
Diamond Tour Golf produces several illegal drivers in its Grand Hawk, Pit Viper and Turner lines. The Diamond Pit Viper PV/427 hits lofts of 8, 9, 10 and 11 degrees. Six small circles etched into the sole identify the non-conforming club from its legal variations.
Mizuno
The Mizuno BlueFire driver delivers lofts of 8, 9, 10 and 11 degrees. The non-conforming model has “Mizuno BlueFire,” a line, and the model’s flame logo displayed on the club’s sole. Other Mizuno illegal drivers include the Grand Monarch Royal Cresta, Intage X3, JPX E300 and Presage Navigator.
Nike
The official equipment manufacturer for golf superstar Tiger Woods, Nike, makes illegal drivers such as the X-Face, Ignite and SQ. The Nike Ignite+460 leads the way, capable of yielding lofts of 9.5 and 10.5 degrees.
Taylor Made
Taylor Made, another manufacturer with multiple non-conforming clubs, produces the R510 driver, which can create lofts of 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 degrees. Inspection of the club head will provide identification. The illegal Taylor Made R510 drivers have no etched score marks in the center of its club face.
What's the Standard Driver Length
The standard driver length for men's clubs is 45.5" to 45.75" inches long. Because women tend to be shorter than men, the standard women's driver length is usually closer to 44".
What Length Driver Do the Best Club Fitters Recommend for Most Golfers?
In our experience getting fitted and what we've gathered talking to and researching what club fitters have to say about driver length, most of the best club fitters recommend drivers very close to the standard length for most golfers.
How Long Are PGA Tour Professionals' Drivers?
PGA Tour Professionals tend to play drivers between 44-46" in length. The vast majority of pros are in the 44.5" to 45.75" range from what we've been able to gather.
How Long Should Your Driver Be?
As we mentioned at the start of this article, the best driver for you has the optimal balance of distance and accuracy.
Don't Cut Down a Driver Without Making Weight Adjustments
Many golfers wanting to try a shorter driver think they can simply have their shaft cut down, but this is not the case if you want it to feel anything like a normal driver.
Making a Case for a Driver and "2-Wood" In Your Bag
It's starting to become popular having both a Driver and a "2-wood" in the bag.
Final Thoughts
We've covered a lot in this guide, but ultimately it's on you to test out different clubs and find out what's right for you.
