USGA on Bionic Glove: Right or Wrong?

[iacas]

What do you think? Is the USGA right in ruling the Bionic Glove illegal ?

I think they are. I think that gloves should be plain. Butch Harmon or somebody has that training glove, and that's great - for training. They make golf grips that help you train, too - doesn't make them suitable for golf.

The USGA allows thick gloves, too. Winter golfers know that.

Gloves that vary in thickness to promote a better, more solid, and perhaps more proper grip? That's well over the line, I think, and that they're being sued is just stupid. It's like an aluminum bat company suing MLB because they disallow aluminum bats. Or a cork company suing MLB, for that matter.

Yes, I realize that MLB isn't the ruling body for ALL baseball everywhere, of course, but then again, what other major sport really has a single ruling body for ALL levels of play? Badminton?

[dipgolf]

While I haven't seen the glove in person, I just dont see what the big deal is with the USGA. The pads maybe larger than I think so my decision may change but, it's just a glove. I think it's stupid that one organization, the USGA, can regulate such a large sport. Sure, they do an awesome job, but it seems like they can make or break and equipment company.

[iacas]

While I haven't seen the glove in person, I just dont see what the big deal is with the USGA. The pads maybe larger than I think so my decision may change but, it's just a glove. I think it's stupid that one organization, the USGA, can regulate such a large sport. Sure, they do an awesome job, but it seems like they can make or break and equipment company.

The question becomes where do you draw the line. They've drawn the line at "no padding" (or, as winter golfers know, an even distribution of padding) because how do you really measure how much padding is present in certain places and how it affects a golfer?

Ruling bodies are smart to avoid getting themselves on a slippery slope. "Plain in appearance" is just such a slippery slope, but if the USGA has long enforced similar guidelines for other gloves - or done so several times before for this particular glove - then it's at least a poorly-worded rule backed by consistent rulings. Clearly the USGA can "make or break" a small company, but if a company wants to make equipment that's illegal, well, that's their prerogative. Make the darn stuff legal - at least on your fourth attempt. Y'know?

[TourSpoon]

Anyone who uses the word "Bionic" should automatically have their product deemed non-conforming just for a sheer lack of creativity and respect for Steve Austin (a man barely alive).

Seriously, the USGA has deemed it non-conforming. It has to draw the line somewhere. I am not sure what the unfair advantage for wearing it is, but there must be something there. Is it as big as square grooves? Of course not. That is a whole seperate thread.

[J_Bone]

I agree with the ban. Falls in line with the belly putter IMO..

[Diggitydog]

Wow, did I ever get on a Lee Majors tangent after reading Tourspoon's post about Bionic Man. Was checking out the Fall Guys / Six Million Dollar Man Wikipedia pages.

[Zakko]

I think the ban is uncalled for. There's more technology in 90% of most gloves nowadays than just some extra padding.

"Gee, a material that takes moisture away from your hands? That's SATANIC!!! BAAANNN!!!"

[mkoreiwo]

I think they blew the call on this one.... The glove does feel good, but thats about it. I have used one and really now - its not going to shave any shots off your game. It was durable and comfortable. Period.

USGA is way off on this one....

[ericm]

I had the exact opposite reaction when I tried one. Within half a round I had enough discomfort in the pad of my hand that I threw the thing away. I'd ban them just for that, but that's just my opinion.

On the merits, they also deserve to be banned. They are going for the same effect that those grips on practice clubs are looking for. Same desire, same result (not legal for use on the course, have at it on the range).

[sonicblue]

If I get the description they gave, it's just that the glove is built up so arthritic people don't have to squeeze as hard? That sounds like exactly the same effect that would be achieved by using larger grips as well. In the end, it does not DE FACTO invoke a better stroke/better hit. It's just addressing potentially one reason people may not be hitting the ball well, and implementing a very simple solution to the problem. Lastly, I would argue that this glove would certainly not help everyone.

Contrast this with something like a "hot" driver. It instantly helps every single person hit it farther, all else aside. This glove just has extra padding, that may or may not help someone by promoting a more relaxed grip. Sounds like any other gimmick that the USGA might as well let the market decide on.

[wachesawgolfer]

I voted no. They allow ribbed grips over round grips. Hard to see the difference. Both artificially help the player to hold the club correctly. People play just as bad with either of them.

[ericm]

From the Bionic website:

Hand position and grip is an essential component to the golfer’s swing. And unfortunately, the anatomical nature of the hand causes a variety of problems that interfere with performance. The Bionic golf glove is scientifically designed to even the playing field.

I can't understand how they ran into problems with the USGA with a marketing approach like this.

wachesaw, What are "ribbed grips over round grips"? A picture from the web, maybe.

[wachesawgolfer]

:


Iwachesaw,
What are "ribbed grips over round grips"? A picture from the web, maybe.[/QUOTE]

The Rules of Golf allow a grip with one vertical straight rib or ridge which most companies position so the rib fits in the fingers. Some people position it to 9 oclock or so for right hand alignment on the club. Go to a golf store and feel the grips on the clubs and you will feel many ribbed grips, just as common as round grips. Ping uses a lot of ribbed grips. How this grip get approved by the USGA, it would not today, so it must be an older grandfathered in design.

[beung]

The rib or ridge is probably to accomidate the seam of the grip, hence why they only allow one vertical rib or ridge.

I have faith and fully believe the USGA has no intention of falsely rejecting equipement just because. They are to protect the integrity of the game not to disallow manufactures from making products.

With that said, I don't see how this glove could possibly having anywhere near as much impact to your score as a belly putter could. If they state that the palm of the glove must be all the same thickness, then that is the rule, like the rule or not the rule is the rule. Until they change that rule the glove does not conform. Nike had to recall a bunch of drivers because a small percentage over-performed and I am willing to be there is no way you could even tell the difference between the conforming and non-conforming driver unless you did some precise scientific measurements.

I could care less if some one uses the glove or not but the rule is the rule, no matter how small the advantage might be, it's the rule. If they changed the rule that allowed the glove then my stand would be the same.

[Fourputt]

From the Bionic website:

That quote pretty much tells me that it's planned intention is to be a swing aid. As such, it is illegal under the Rules of Golf to use for a competition round. This isn't just a capricious whim by the USGA. The glove appears to be a direct violation of the rules... as such it should be restricted to the practice tee.

[shredfit]

I guess I don't see the problem with these gloves. They are being marketed to people with arthritic hands. So by USGA standards these people should just give up golf? or perhaps never play in a tournament???

A golf Superintendent friend of mine lost the tips of his fingers in a accident pulling drain tile on a course flooding emergency. After healing, he put athletic tape on the ends of all his clubs so they would NOT fly out of his hands when he swings(clearly a violation of USGA rules). What should he do? Just quit the game he labored and loved his whole life?

Perhaps the USGA should make them legal ONLY if you need them... Doctors note for arthritis, lost fingers/fingertips etc etc.

[iacas]

Y'all do realize this is a pretty old thread that was revived (for some reason) only recently, right?

[wachesawgolfer]

[QUOTE=beung;88706]The rib or ridge is probably to accomidate the seam of the grip, hence why they only allow one vertical rib or ridge.

Again this is not true. Best to check out the Golfpride website where they describe the ribbed grips, their purpose and offer most of their grips either round or ribbed.(Which is more than most manufacturers) Ribbing is not needed to make the grip or seam. Most grips are "round", not ribbed.