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.
Do any of the PGA Tour players have smaller driver heads?
Some of the tour players have smaller driver heads but they are not made for the retail market. Players such as Tiger Woods, David Duval (previously), and Paul Casey each played a 380cc driver head made for them by Nike. I have a question as to what the TEE is that measures 45".
Why don't more golfers use non-conforming driver heads?
But most golfers won't use such a driver because of the stigma of using a club that breaks the rules. The governing bodies of golf maintain lists of golf driver heads that conform to the Rules of Golf. (What many golfers think of as the non -conforming drivers list is actually called the conforming drivers list.)
Are your golf clubheads too big?
Most of the time, golfers have drivers that feature clubheads that are way too big. Club manufacturers will claim that there's a bigger sweet spot the bigger you go. I'm here to tell you that's just not true.
What is the largest legal driver head size?
460ccBiggest legal driver head size: The maximum driver club head size that the USGA allows is 460cc.
What golf driver has the largest head?
460cc club headThe largest head size that the USGA currently allows is the 460cc club head. The 460cc design is legal but there are many drivers out there that are made larger than the 460cc. These clubs are not legal to use in tournaments but they can be used for a casual round of golf.
What is the maximum size of a golf driver?
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.
Are 460cc drivers 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.
How big is a 460cc driver?
460cc is the maximum permissible size of a golf head. These are generally found in big head drivers. It roughly translates to 28 cubic inches. Everyone often wonders why there is an upper limit being set for these driver sizes.
Can a driver head be too big?
From a pure performance standpoint, the larger the size of a clubhead, the higher its Moment of Inertia could be. In turn that means the larger the head, the better it's off center hit performance could be. Likewise, the larger the size of the head, the larger the face area could be as well.
How long is DeChambeau's driver?
46 inchesBryson 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 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.
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.
Are Big Bertha drivers legal?
The Callaway Big Bertha 460 HT driver delivers a 13-degree loft. The way to distinguish the illegal club from the conforming version is to inspect the “Big Bertha 460” logo on the club's sole. The illegal version has a dash within the body of the “B” in “Big Bertha” and a dash and a dot in the “4” in “460.”
Why is the TaylorMade R580 illegal?
Why Is The TaylorMade R580 So Controversial? The main reason why most players suspect the R580 is illegal is because of its coefficient of restitution or COR. COR in golf is essentially the percentage of energy transferred from the club to the ball on impact. The USGA has a strict 0.83 COR limit on any club.
When did 460cc drivers come out?
20042004: Legal Limit of 460cc Instituted Bullet released the B52 Bomber driver weighing in at a massive 500cc and was absolutely massive.
Why don't golfers use drivers?
But most golfers won't use such a driver because of the stigma of using a club that breaks the rules.
Why do golf shops only sell conforming drivers?
Most golf shops only sell conforming drivers because most manufacturers only make and market conforming drivers. But some other companies, and, rarely, a major golf equipment brand, intentionally make non-conforming drivers.
What does it mean when a driver doesn't meet the rules of golf?
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. It just means that such a driver doesn't conform to the Rules of Golf and, ...
What does it mean when you can't find your driver?
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. If you cannot find your driver on the list, contact one of the governing bodies to inquire.
Can a driver play in a golf tournament?
It just means that such a driver doesn't conform to the Rules of Golf and, therefore, is not allowed for use in any rounds of golf played under the rules (tournament rounds and handicap rounds, for example).
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.
I agree
I do not see an advantage using a 460cc driver over a smaller head driver. I have an old Calloway Steelhead driver that I picked up years ago for 10 bucks at a second hand sports shop. I have played it a couple of times and hit as far as my 460cc.
Amaller headed drivers
Seems to me that if you're looking to try a smaller headed driver, the way to go is to find some used ones. They are predictably much less expensive, and if you find yourself really drawn to the idea, it can't hurt the pocketbook anywhere near as much as a new driver to put a more modern shaft in an older, smaller head and give it a good workout.
Another option is to try out
Another option is to try out using a 3 wood off the tee. The head is smaller and the loft is higher, so with a slower swing speed, you should do better. And if you want you can always change the shaft length and flex. Much cheaper than buying a new club, unless you and the fitter are certain the new club will do the job as expected.
Older, Smaller Drivers
The biggest difference in the "older" drivers versus the newer drivers would be the COR or CT. Depending just how old you go, the ball speed may be less on the older driver due to the fact that technology had not advanced to the point that the driver had maximum COR or what is now measured, CT.
General Information
I did not try to play golf until I retired and almost stopped several times due to pain. Then I found you shortly prior to your surgery. Then I lost you for a while. Glad I received an email announcing your return.
Spinal stenosis and golf
I am approaching 79 and had major back surgery 3yrs ago for ruptured discs .
Inspirational
Mr.Lieberman, Thanks for sharing your life experience. I am only 56 but am currently working my way through a Sciatica bout. Going to find out over the next couple of weeks if it is piriformis syndrome, discs misbehaving or something else.
How long is a golf driver?
According to the rules of golf 48 inches is the maximum shaft length allowed to be used in a driver, most standard drivers however are around 45 inches. A longer shaft in combination with the right driver head and lie/loft setting can give you that extra 10 yards that you are after.
Why is clubhead speed important?
Added clubhead speed ensures that maximum energy is transferred over to the golf ball which delivers high ball speeds and maximum distance.
What is a Krank driver?
Krank is a well-known name amongst long drive enthusiasts. Krank specializes in the design of long driver drivers but in recent years their drivers are becoming more and more popular amongst regular golfers. The latest Krank driver, the Formula 11 XX, is one of their best driver designs to date.
What does speed and rhythm mean in golf?
Speed and Rhythm. By now we know that speed equates to distance. All of the long hitters on the PGA Tour have high swing speeds and it is the main reason for how they hit the golf ball as far as they do. Without good rhythm though swing speed and added distance will only get you into trouble.
What is a Formula 11 XX driver?
The Formula 11 XX is a 100% handmade driver with a forged driver head. Forged clubheads aren’t unique in the golf industry, but it is unique for a driver head to be forged. The Formula 11 XX is a culmination of what the Krank R&D team has discovered about long drive driver designs over the last 16 years.
What is the goal of a golfer when he steps up to the tee?
When a golfer steps up to the tee with their driver in hand their main goal is to try and hit the ball as far as possible. For many hitting it far is easy, but hitting it far and straight is another story.
Why is setup important in golf?
Setup is key to ensure a rhythmic and balanced golf swing. Hitting the ball as hard as possible doesn’t deliver distance, timing does. Below is a list of easy to remember checkpoints which will ensure that you give yourself the best chance of hitting sweetly timed drives.
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Product Description
SOOOLONG 750cc BENEFITS: HIGHEST MOI - FOR INCREDIBLE FORGIVENESS - KEEP MISHITS IN PLAY!
Where is Matt from Plugged In Golf?
He's worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking. Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
Does swing speed vary between smaller and larger heads?
First, swing speed did vary significantly between larger and smaller heads but without a consistent pattern. Also, there was no clear pattern regarding club size and launch or spin. Smaller heads are thought to be lower spinning, but that wasn’t universally true in our test.
Do larger heads produce more ball speed?
The main takeaway here is that, by virtue of being more forgiving, the larger heads consistently produced more ball speed relative to club head speed. There were also a couple interesting nuggets in the data. First, swing speed did vary significantly between larger and smaller heads but without a consistent pattern.
How many cubic inches are in a clubhead?
The volume of the clubhead must not exceed 460 cubic centimeters (28.06 cubic inches), plus a tolerance of 10 cubic centimeters (0.61 cubic inches).
When did titanium driver heads become popular?
Driver heads produced from titanium didn’t become popularized until 1995 when the Callaway Great Big Bertha and the TaylorMade Titanium Bubble were introduced.
How is progress measured in golf?
In golf, progress is usually measured by decades, but in the case with driver size and the ability to produce these clubs out of lighter, yet stronger materials, size grew exponentially in only the next few years.
When did the USGA impose a 460cc limit?
So in October 2003, the USGA imposed a 460cc limit on club head size effect January 1, 2004.
When was the first titanium driver made?
A milestone of sorts came in Japan in 1990 as Mizuno created the first titanium driver called the Ti-110. Titanium had been well known for its high strength, yet lighter weight compared to steel. The extremely expensive price tag made this a very limited product to consumers.
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.
