New Club - Legal or Illegal?

[blnc2007]

I purchased a Snake Eyes putting wedge 3500SL from Golfsmith a few days ago. During a round of golf last week my buddy said it was an illegal club not recognized by the USGA. I searched the USGA's Informational Data Base and received a "not found" reply. I've got a couple of tournament's coming up and need to know if this club is compliant and if not why does Golfsmith sell it?

Thanks.

[iacas]

Why would it be illegal?

http://www.golfsmith.com/product/30076171/snake-eyes-3500-sl-wedge

[blnc2007]

That's not the club, it's a Snake Eyes 3500 SL Putting Wedge. It's not in Golfsmith's data base.

[iacas]

Okay.

So if it's illegal it violates something here: http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Appendix-II/ .

[Zeph]

I haven't heard anything about it being illegal. Can't find anything on Google either. Ask your buddy why it's illegal.

[newtogolf]

It looks like one of those chipper clubs, which I believe are not conforming.

[Mordan]

Putting wedges or chippers as they're sometimes called are illegal when they have two faces so that they can be used right or left handed. Your mate might be confused by this and think that they're all illegal but that isn't true.

[rogolf]

From the USGA site (Rules FAQ),

Rule 4-1

Chippers

Q. Do chippers conform to the Rules of Golf?

A. Yes, chippers are iron clubs not putters, and therefore must conform with the requirements for woods and irons. For example, chippers may not have a putter grip, two striking faces or appendages for aiming purposes. Additionally, the USGA considers the long chipper to be not traditional and customary in form and make. Essentially, an otherwise conforming chipper must be approximately the same length as a club of similar loft in the player's bag. (Decision 4-1/3 and Rules 1 through 5 in Appendix II)

[Spyder]

Yuck... I never understood the desire for a club like this.

[saevel25]

If you want a chipper, get a putter with the biggest head you can find and have it bent to like 10 degrees loft. There you go, just tote it around as a 2nd putter :p

[MyrtleBeachGolf]

If you want a chipper, get a putter with the biggest head you can find and have it bent to like 10 degrees loft. There you go, just tote it around as a 2nd putter :p

I know this is just sarcasm, but there's no way any of that would be legal. Also, those chippers are more close to 8 iron loft (38*). I'm not sure 10* would help all that much even if it were legal to do that.

[iacas]

Putting wedges or chippers as they're sometimes called are illegal when they have two faces so that they can be used right or left handed. Your mate might be confused by this and think that they're all illegal but that isn't true.

@cedrictheo and I played with a guy at The Berk who had a two-faced chipper he'd just bought. I had to tell him that yes, despite me being in the PGA, and despite the fact that he bought it from a PGA Tour SuperStore, it was in fact an illegal club.

I think he planned to return it or exchange it as they never told him it was illegal.

[Fourputt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mordan

Putting wedges or chippers as they're sometimes called are illegal when they have two faces so that they can be used right or left handed. Your mate might be confused by this and think that they're all illegal but that isn't true.

@cedrictheo  and I played with a guy at The Berk who had a two-faced chipper he'd just bought. I had to tell him that yes, despite me being in the PGA, and despite the fact that he bought it from a PGA Tour SuperStore, it was in fact an illegal club.

I think he planned to return it or exchange it as they never told him it was illegal.

I've been in a similar situation.  These clubs should be marketed with a big red flag to warn off players who are concerned with playing by the rules.  I really don't care if someone owns and uses them when not in competition, but to have one and not even realize that it's nonconforming is just wrong.

I'm joining a little club out here in the Colorado wheatfields, and I'd be willing to bet that I see guys here unknowingly using clubs in competition that are illegal, and I won't even consider mentioning it, because I want this to remain a friendly environment.  I'm the new guy and I'm not about to make waves.  As usual, I won't counsel anyone on the rules unless he expresses an interest in it.

[ghalfaire]

I decided a few years ago the rules associated with "chippers" was too numerous to keep track of so I just eliminated it from the bag and learned to chip with a 5 hybrid.  I just take a putting grip and stance and putt with it off the green.  Works great but does take a little practice when you start as the club is longer than the typical chipper and the face/ball reaction is different.  But I like it and no ever says it is an illegal club.