what makes a legal golf club

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.

Full Answer

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.

Are any golf clubs legal to play on the course?

If you’re looking to play according to regulations, it’s essential to be familiar with the golf clubs that are legal, as well as those that would be illegal to play with on an official circuit. And, well, while all clubs are perfectly fine to train and play for fun with, some are simply not considered legal to play a golf course with.

What does it mean to be a golf club board?

A golf club is run by an elected Board which has the responsibility to make decisions that will benefit the members and ensure a sustainable future for the club. The Board should interact and work productively with a range of different people including paid staff, fellow volunteers and club members.

How do companies make illegal golf clubheads?

Typically, by making the clubheads larger than the rules allow. The Rules of Golf limit driver clubhead volume to 460cc. So a company that wants to make an "illegal driver" will design a clubhead that is 500cc. Or 600cc. Or even 700cc. Huge, in other words. Way over the limits.

What makes a golf club non-conforming?

In one word: DISTANCE. For most golfers, distance is the main thing you should be looking for in a non-conforming driver. Find a happy balance between what feels right and what will produce results. You may need to practice a bit to get used to a larger head and longer shaft.

What degree wedge is illegal?

A rule that is more important for wedges is the groove rule originating in 2008. This rule affects all clubs with lofts of 25 degrees and more, which basically means it refers to all the wedges. It banned all wedges with U-shaped grooves, allowing only wedges with V-groove design to be officially used.

Why are some golf clubs illegal?

The USGA creates rules and regulations for golf equipment. These regulations restrict the designs and elements that manufacturers can create. However, some individuals and companies come up with golf clubs that are non-conforming to USGA regulations and therefore, illegal in professional play.

Are oversized clubs legal?

Are Oversized Irons Legal? According to the USGA, rule 4b(ii), an oversized iron is considered illegal (non-conforming) if the distance from the heel to the toe is less than the distance from the face to the back. In other words, the oversized iron must be longer than it is wide.

Is a 72 degree wedge illegal?

According to the USGA, a 72 degree wedge is totally legal to use in golf. More specifically, any golfer is allowed to use a 72 degree wedge in all casual, high-level amateur, or professional rounds/tournaments. Believe it or not, the USGA does not have any loft restrictions for wedges.

Is a 64 degree wedge illegal?

Yes, the use of a 64 degree wedge is legal. The 64 degrees is thought to be illegal by some golfers due to the misconception that 60 degrees are the maximum degrees that can be used on the club. However, 64 degrees wedge has been used by many professionals like Phil Mickelson is totally legal to play with.

Are titanium golf clubs legal?

Both the Cor effect and titanium face are disallowed by the USGA. This all-black club utilizes an offset hosel with a closed face allowing golfers to have a square face at impact which helps straighten out drives. Golfers can purchase the driver from 41 inches to 48 inches.

What clubs are illegal?

Some Non-Conforming Golf ClubsClubWhy It's IllegalTaylorMade R510 TP DriverCOR exceeds 0.83 ratingMoney Club HL Driver520cc head sizePineMeadow PGX 500 Driver500cc head sizeIntech Behemoth Driver520cc head size16 more rows

Is a two sided golf club Legal?

The biggest issue with two-way chippers is that there are two club faces. USGA rules state that a piece of equipment is legal as long as the clubfaces are less than ten degrees in loft. Therefore, a putter with two clubfaces is legal. Since a two-way chipper's clubfaces exceed the ten-degree rule, they are not legal.

Is a 68 degree wedge legal?

According to the USGA and R&A, a 68 degree wedge is totally legal to use for any casual, amateur, high-level amateur, and professional golf games. In other words, a 68 degree wedge conforms to all of the equipment regulations, thus making it a legal club.

Is the F2 wedge legal?

The F2 wedge does conform to USGA standards and is legal.

Is an adjustable golf club legal?

2) You cannot have moving parts on a club that are easy to change during play. You can have a telescopic shaft, adjustable weights, or adjustable lie angle, but you have to extend the shafts or set the adjustments BEFORE walking onto the course, and you cannot change them until AFTER you leave the course.

Question 1: Pleasure

I’m guessing that 37.36% of you would argue that golf is plenty enjoyable as it is. The challenge is part of the fun, right?

Question 2: Growth

This question is representative of much of what’s wrong with aspects of the current grow golf movement. Basically it’s guys like us (avid golfers) speculating on what it will take to bring new golfers to the game. At the risk of redundancy, golf is hard.

Question 3: Rounds Played

14.37% isn’t a huge number, but I’d absolutely love to hear more from those of you who said you would play more if non-conforming clubs were available.

Question 4: Limitations

This, to me anyway, is perhaps the most fascinating question in our survey. You can count me among the 67.72% who think non-conforming clubs are fine for recreational play.

Question 5: Usage

Maybe the answer to my previous question can be found in the answers to this question.

Question 6: Your Dollars at Work

And in this lies the rub for manufacturers considering releasing non-conforming club lines.

Question 7: Permission

As we were putting together this survey, I couldn’t help but think that the biggest issue holding back widespread availability of non-conforming clubs might be permission from those we admire.

When did golf balls become banned?

The decision to ban it came in 1990 when the British variant was no longer deemed suitable for any kind of golf competitions.

What are the rules of competitive play?

Rules of competitive play state that professional golfers are required to use golf clubs that conform with the Rules of Golf prescribed by the United States Golf Association. This leads club and equipment manufacturers to submit their clubs to the USGA for testing in order to be completely certain that their clubs are compliant with all the rules.

What is the groove rule for wedges?

This rule affects all clubs with lofts of 25 degrees and more, which basically means it refers to all the wedges. It banned all wedges with U-shaped grooves, allowing only wedges with V-groove design to be officially used.

Why are steel shafts illegal?

The reason was the perceived lack of quality over the traditional hickory clubs that were used up to that point. That changed when Bristol Steel succeeded in creating a seamless shaft, ...

Is it legal to play golf with a 52 degree wedge?

And, well, while all clubs are perfectly fine to train and play for fun with, some are simply not considered legal to play a golf course with. As it should be – rules are there to be bent, but never broken when it comes to sports. That is why you should turn to BombTech for a legal-but-incredible 52-degree golf wedge for sale.

Is a wedge legal in golf?

When it comes to golf wedges, there are several rules on golf wedges that explain whether or not a wedge is legal for standard competitive play. The general rule for all clubs states that any club cannot be substantially different from the customary traditional form and make. A rule that is more important for wedges is the groove rule originating ...

Is golf equipment banned?

Some equipment has been permanently banned from competitive professional golf, while some has been banned but, interestingly and surprisingly, approved all over again. That is why most legal considerations should be left to the pros, while enthusiasts should just focus on enjoying their time on the grass.

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, ...

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.

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).

Who makes nonconforming golf clubs?

Tom Wishon, founder and designer for Wishon Golf, which produced nonconforming clubs for many years until recently discontinuing the practice for lack of interest, says it is a huge consideration. "The number who actually would buy nonconforming is far smaller than the number that would want to buy it," Wishon says.

When did golf participation go flat?

John Spitzer, managing director of equipment standards for the USGA, points to the fact that participation was flat from 2000 to 2008 -- a period in which golf enjoyed one of its most significant bursts in equipment technology. "Multilayer balls and adjustability were a big benefit to golfers, but we didn't see a boost in participation," says ...

Is golf a game?

Golf, however, isn't really a game that can be mastered. And because of that, there does seem to be an appeal to making it easier. But to do so outside the rules is a stumbling block, despite industry leaders such as PGA of America president Ted Bishop being OK with the idea.

Is Adams Golf a nonconforming company?

Interestingly, Adams Golf -- often mentioned in industry circles as the most likely company to give nonconforming a try -- says it doesn't have any projects specifically designed to produce clubs outside the rules.

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.

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 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 unthinkable that some manufacturers will venture into the deep dark underworld of non-conforming clubs?

With all the rules and restrictions contained in the rules of the governing bodies, it is nearly unthinkable that some manufacturers will venture into the deep dark underworld of non-conforming clubs.

Is it legal to put lights on a golf cart?

Installing golf cart lights is one of the key components in making a golf cart street legal, if not the most important. There are so many different lighting options for golf carts out there. Generally, you’ll see “Basic” and “Street Legal” or "Deluxe" options.

Can you drive a golf cart on the street?

For example, in some cities in Florida, Georgia, Texas and California there are entire communities that drive their golf carts on the street. ALWAYS check with your local municipality to make sure it’s okay to drive a golf cart on the street.

Why are golf clubs required?

Golf clubs are required legally to ensure everyone is treated equally and fairly. This policy outlines the approach a golf club takes to equality, diversity and inclusion and sets out how the golf club is complies with legislation, such as the Equality Act 2010.

What is legal structure in golf?

The legal structure of your club is how it is constituted in the eyes of the law. Golf clubs will take different legal forms depending on their structure and size, along with decisions taken historically.

What is the principle of good governance in golf?

However, the practical implementation of this must be tailored to your own club, its situation, and how the Board and stakeholders wish their club to be governed.

What is the oldest profession in golf?

This is the unfortunate truth for the staff who are the actual greenkeepers at your club. Greenkeeping is the oldest of golf’s professions. Greenkeepers undertake years of training and qualifications in agronomy, turf science, machinery operations and irrigation and finance in order to maintain the course they provide.

Why do golf clubs need full time managers?

Clubs are demanding more of their manager in the increasingly competitive and challenging business environment. A full time appointment can be seen as essential to the ecient management of the modern golf club, ensuring the necessary time is devoted to the overall objectives and providing a satisfactory customer experience.

What is the purpose of a good governance board?

Having good governance in place (processes, systems and practices) will help to ensure accountability of the Board and transparency of its actions to the membership.

What is a golf club data controller?

Golf clubs will manage personal data of all their members. This makes them a Data Controller under the Data Protection Act and they are responsible for complying with the legal requirements of the Act. A data protection policy sets out the procedures for handling data and ensures a club is meeting its legal obligations.