“ILLEGAL OR NON CONFORMING CLUBS”
Appendix II, 5a of the Rules of Golf states that, "The material and construction of, or any treatment to, the face or the clubhead shall not have the effect at impact of a spring (test on file), or impart significantly more spin to the ball than a standard steel face, or have any other effect which would unduly influence the movement of the ball".
For most competitions and all recreational play, there will be no Rule limiting 'spring-like' effect in driving clubs until 1st January 2008. However, from 1st January 2004 until 31st December 2007, for competitions restricted to highly skilled players, a Condition of Competition may be introduced whereby a driving club is deemed not to conform with this Rule if, under specified test conditions, it has a characteristic time which is greater than 239 microseconds plus a tolerance of 18 microseconds.
Following the above ruling by the Royal & Ancient, members are advised that certain clubs cannot be used in any club competition after the 1st January 2008. The clubs involved are listed on the R & A web site at www.randa.org The list can be accessed through a direct link from the club web site. The list is not reproduced here as it extends to 34 pages! Therefore if you have purchased a driver recently there is a strong possibility that your driver is included. Please check as it will be your responsibility after the 1st January 2008 to ensure you comply with the new ruling.
There will be no change in the rules for club competitions following the above ruling until 1st January 2008, but if any member is considering buying new clubs, you are strongly advised to seek an assurance from the seller that the clubs conform to the above ruling before you purchase.
Michael Wilson – Hon. Sec. – February 2005
