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Would you play a non-conforming (illegal) driver?


mvmac
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25 members have voted

  1. 1. If a major manufacturer offered a non-conforming driver that promised an extra 15-20 yards, would you put it in your bag?

    • Yes
      18
    • No
      100


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If a major manufacturer offered a non-conforming driver that promised an extra 10,15, 20 yards, would you put it in your bag?

Mike McLoughlin

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About 15 years ago Callaway offered an illegal version of the ERC driver. I tried it, but did not notice much in the way of distance improvement so I went back to the conforming driver. Currently I play in too many tournaments so I would rather not be switching driver in and out of my bag. So I voted no.

Michael

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Nope. I don't compete much, but I like to keep a handicap and I don't feel a need for hitting the driver that much farther. I don't want to have two drivers in play, one illegal for casual play and one for play by the rules.

Ogio Grom | Callaway X Hot Pro | Callaway X-Utility 3i | Mizuno MX-700 23º | Titleist Vokey SM 52.08, 58.12 | Mizuno MX-700 15º | Titleist 910 D2 9,5º | Scotty Cameron Newport 2 | Titleist Pro V1x and Taylormade Penta | Leupold GX-1

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I have one of those Callaway ERC+ drivers.  I never knew it was 'illegal' till i started hitting the ball so far and then my friend took a look at it.  This after i was booming my drives 20 yards beyond the 185 mark.  It's on the shelf now.

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I would rather play with a conforming club all the time, so when I make it to the pro level I don't have to revamp my game and change out clubs. I also wouldn't want anyone accusing me of making it to that level with an illegal driver.. Especially since distance matters so much more than accuracy. ;)

:adams: / :tmade: / :edel: / :aimpoint: / :ecco: / :bushnell: / :gamegolf: / 

Eyad

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I play golf to beat the game fair and square. I like the challenge of golf so to make it easier with non-conforming drivers, straighter-flying balls and whatever else manner of cheating there is just doesn't appeal to me.

SWING DNA
Speed [77] Tempo [5] ToeDown [5] KickAngle [6] Release [5] Mizuno JPX EZ 10.5° - Fujikura Orochi Black Eye (with Harrison ShotMaker) Mizuno JPX EZ 3W/3H - Fujikura Orochi Black Eye Mizuno JPX 850 Forged 4i-PW - True Temper XP 115 S300 Mizuno MP R-12 50.06/54.09/58.10 - Dynamic Gold Wedge Flex Mizuno MP A305 [:-P]

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No. Part of what I enjoy about golf is the challenge, knowing that shooting good scores is a result of my hard work. I earn nothing by cheating.

Bill

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” - Confucius

My Swing Thread

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I would. I have no delusions about my golf game. I play solely for fun. I have noticed the game is a lot more enjoyable in the summer when I am hitting the ball further.
  • Upvote 1

-Matt-

"does it still count as a hit fairway if it is the next one over"

DRIVER-Callaway FTiz__3 WOOD-Nike SQ Dymo 15__HYBRIDS-3,4,5 Adams__IRONS-6-PW Adams__WEDGES-50,55,60 Wilson Harmonized__PUTTER-Odyssey Dual Force Rossie II

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As I don't compete, don't have a strong opinion ... but it would bother me to use something that is deemed illegal, voted no.

John

Fav LT Quote ... "you can talk to a fade, but a hook won't listen"

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[COLOR=333333]If a major manufacturer offered a non-conforming driver that promised an extra 10,15, 20 yards, would you put it in your bag?[/COLOR]

Even though I hit 30 yards further now than I did 3 months ago, I voted "yes". It would be fun to get another instant 20 yards! Although, it would mean I would need shorter woods and hybrids with the same increase in yardage as I already overdrive one par 4 green with my current yardage. Also, if it potentially makes the club weaker in any way, then no. I've seen a couple much older golfers with thinned faces, and the clubs look very frail. They are probably thinned down for the 75-85mph swing, and someone swinging over 100 is going to cave it in for sure. Is there a proposed new technology that can gain that yardage? I guess they would need to clearly mark it as non conforming too! Although, it's pretty obvious when you watch someone using this technology anyway.

:ping:  :tmade:  :callaway:   :gamegolf:  :titleist:

TM White Smoke Big Fontana; Pro-V1
TM Rac 60 TT WS, MD2 56
Ping i20 irons U-4, CFS300
Callaway XR16 9 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S
Callaway XR16 3W 15 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S, X2Hot Pro 20 degrees S

"I'm hitting the woods just great, but I'm having a terrible time getting out of them." ~Harry Toscano

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Nope.

In David's bag....

Driver: Titleist 910 D-3;  9.5* Diamana Kai'li
3-Wood: Titleist 910F;  15* Diamana Kai'li
Hybrids: Titleist 910H 19* and 21* Diamana Kai'li
Irons: Titleist 695cb 5-Pw

Wedges: Scratch 51-11 TNC grind, Vokey SM-5's;  56-14 F grind and 60-11 K grind
Putter: Scotty Cameron Kombi S
Ball: ProV1

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If a major manufacturer offered a non-conforming driver that promised an extra 10,15, 20 yards, would you put it in your bag?

Great question. When Callaway came out with the ERC, it was endorsed by Arnie Palmer. Arnie, however, had to backtrack a bit when the club's legality with USGA rules came into conflict with his position as the national chairman of the USGA Members Program. Since then, no big name golfer has come out to endorse a non-conforming driver.

Rather than use illegal clubs, I have begun to play senior tees on a regular basis. To some extent, it has revitalized my game, in that, my approach shots are with clubs that I used in my 20's and 30's, rather then so many fairway woods. For me, playing senior tees is not a big deal since I'll be 65 in a few months, but I can see the dilemma with younger golfers. In this case I defer to the PGA program, "Tee It Forward," endorsed by many, including Jack Nicklaus (http://www.pgamediacenter.com/videos/2013_TeeItForward_JackNicklaus.cfm).

Now, if I were younger, would I use a non-conforming driver? I think I would if my handicap were 20+, because I would need help, wherever I could find it. However, if I had a competitive game, definitely not.

Drivers: Bag 1 - TM R11 (10.5°); Bag 2 - Ping G5 (9°),
Fairway woods: #1 - TM RBZ Tour (14.5°) & TM System 2 Raylor (17°); #2 - TM Burner (15°) & TM V-Steel (18°)
Hybrid: #1 - TM Rocketballz (19°); #2 - Ping G5 (19°)
Irons: #1 - Ping i3+; #2 - Hogan Edge  (both 4-pw, +1" shaft)
Wedges: #1 - Ping i3+ U wedge (52°) & Ping Eye 2+ BeCu (60°); #2 - Ping ISI Sand BeCu (52°) & Cleveland CG11 lob (60°)
Putters: Ping B60i & Anser 2, Odyssey White Steel 2-Ball & White Hot XG #9, Lamkim Jumbp grips
Golf Balls: Titleist Pro V1, Bridgestone B330, Callaway SR1, Slazenger Grips: Lamkin Crossline
Golf Shoes: Footjoy & Adidas; Golf Glove: Footjoy StaSof®; Golf Bag: Ping Hoofer
I love this game! :-D

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Never during any round that meant something. Even if I was simply playing to see how well I score.

However I would give it a try once, maybe during a "fart around" round to see if it really offered more as advertised.

Maybe at a "beer drinking" Scramble, because my group never seems to win anyway (too many bloody marys, way too early)

In my Grom:

Driver-Taylormade 10.5 Woods- Taylomade 3 wood, taylormade 4 Hybrid
Irons- Callaway Big Berthas 5i - GW Wedges- Titles Volkey  Putter- Odyssey protype #9
Ball- Bridgestone E6
All grips Golf Pride

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Note: This thread is 2268 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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