As a golf player, for sure, you’re familiar with the non-conforming driver. According to the rules of golf, if the characteristic time value of the clubface is more than 239 (+ 18 tolerance), the club is characterized as non-conforming.
Can you use a non conforming driver in tournaments?
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.
When are non-conforming golf drivers illegal?
When a driver is intentionally non-conforming: Those off-brand or niche companies that intentionally make and market non-conforming drivers don't bother submitting them to the USGA and R&A. They build them to be "illegal," after all. How? Typically, by making the clubheads larger than the rules allow.
Why are golf clubs non-conforming to the rules?
This leads to increased ball speed and distance which provides an unfair advantage, hence why it is non-conforming. This is something many golfers, especially amateurs aren’t aware of. But the manufacturer don’t necessarily know how often a driver has been used once it has left the tour truck.
What is a conforming driver?
This list features clubs that do not violate established rules for flexibility in the driver head. The USGA refers to these drivers as conforming--they do meet testing standards established by the USGA in 1998 and revised in 2004.
What is a non conforming driver in golf?
Non conforming drivers do not meet the USGA requirements for being fair to use in a tournament setting. The main reason that a golf driver is illegal is that it does not meet the 460cc requirements set forth by the USGA. Conforming golf drivers can be no larger than 460cc.
Which drivers are non conforming?
Best Illegal Golf Drivers – Take A Look At Non-Conforming OptionsOur Top Pick: GEEK GOLF DOT COM #1 Japan This 551 Hot Version.Pinemeadow PGX 500cc Driver.Juggernaut Titanium Golf Driver.Intech Golf Oversized Behemoth 520cc Driver.Orlimar Big Buddha 520cc Jumbo Driver.More items...•
What makes a golf ball non conforming?
Legal golf balls can't be smaller than 1.68 inches in diameter. The Polara balls have a diameter of 1.68 inches (the same size as normal). If you have a smaller ball, you'll have less drag and that should give you more distance.
Why are some drivers illegal?
A Brief Intro to Illegal Drivers Typically, the head size and/or loft of the driver is what makes it illegal, or non USGA regulation. What is this? This means that they are banned from official tournament play. Illegal drivers can add distance and correct slices by merit of their design – not by merit of player skill.
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.
What is the longest non-conforming driver?
THE NEW 2020. FORMULA 11 Series. USGA NON-CONFORMING DRIVERS. The Formula 11 Drivers are made for speed and are the longest hitting drivers in the world.
Do non-conforming golf balls work?
Many of these non-conforming balls are built for one thing, distance. Although distance is important there is a lot more to golf than how far you can hit the ball. Luckily the dimple pattern and materials of the MG make them a good choice for the short game as well.
How far should a 80 year old hit a golf ball?
As you get older, your swing speed normally decreases. That being said, there are still older golfers who have incredibly high swing speeds. If you're able to drive the ball somewhere close to 220 yards, you're pretty much average. I'd say anything lower than 210 yards and you're less than average.
Does putting chapstick on your driver work?
Chapsticking The Driver Using something like chapstick on your clubface will actually reduce a lot of the spin. When you have less spin you'll have fewer hooks and slices.
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.
Why are golf drivers not flat?
Driver Bulge A clubhead's horizontal curvature is known as its bulge, which is designed to partially counter the gear effect. If you hit the ball closer to a driver's toe, the face imparts sidespin that causes the ball to hook -- curving to your left, if you're right-handed.
Are offset drivers legal in golf?
Are Offset Drivers Legal? 100% yes. As long as the Driver has been approved by the USGA and is on the conforming list it is legal.
What happens when a driver is unintentionally non-conforming?
When a driver is unintentionally non-conforming: Occasionally, major golf brands will, in pushing up as close to the limits as possible, unintentionally go over the limits or otherwise fail to meet the equipment requirements that are set forth in the rule book. In this case, the culprit is usually characteristic time.
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.
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).
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
What does "nonconforming" mean in the USGA?
The USGA refers to these drivers as conforming--they do meet testing standards established by the USGA in 1998 and revised in 2004. Any driver that does not meet these standards are referred to as nonconforming and are inelligible for use in any competition that conforms to USGA rules.
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.
