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

[MrFlipper]

More of a general question, there was some talk of non-conforming clubs coming to the market earlier in the year. Seems to have died down but I think there are companies keeping an eye out. There are a decent amount of golfers out there that don't keep a USGA handicap and don't compete in tournaments.

Thanks. As you hear stuff please post it. Every once in awhile you see someone playing a condor or bandit or whatever, there will always be folks playing illegal stuff

[Lihu]

[QUOTE name="Lihu" url="/t/79650/would-you-play-a-non-conforming-illegal-driver/18#post_1100026"] How would anyone get away with this? Every shot I make with my irons has a clump of dirt on the bottom of the club face stuck to it. You would need to reapply it every single shot. Plus, isn't the club shinier with the oil or grease on it? On top of these questions, how the heck does putting this stuff on the face help? Forgive me if I am asking, but I am not aware of all these other tactics. [/QUOTE] It helps reduce sidespin, thus reducing or eliminating slices and hooks.  Because it also reduces backspin, it changes the ball flight somewhat, usually making for a lower trajectory.

Oh, thanks for the information, I guess I can see it increasing distance but sticking greens could be pretty hard with less spin. Plus, I definitely don't need a lower ball flight. :-P

[Pretzel]

I would love to try a driver like that for fun in a couple of rounds, but not much more than that. Part of my plan to help pay for college is to play on the golf team. I can't afford to get used to 20 extra yards outside of tournaments, then lost then when I'm playing competitively. That said, it would still be a lot of fun to try every so often.

[Fourputt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvmac

Quick note, the Callaway ERC II exceeds the USGA limit for COR, still legal under R&A; rules. I don't know if they still do but it is/was common especially in Japan, to release a non-conforming version of the regular OEM models. TaylorMade has the XR line, Wilson had one with a COR of .9 and Nike would add a "+" to their drivers.

More of a general question, there was some talk of non-conforming clubs coming to the market earlier in the year. Seems to have died down but I think there are companies keeping an eye out. There are a decent amount of golfers out there that don't keep a USGA handicap and don't compete in tournaments.

http://www.golfdigest.com/golfworld/2014-03/gwar-nonconforming-golf-clubs-0310

I feel like this will be a nightmare for us who play in tournaments amongst regular amateurs.  Not so much guys who are intentionally cheating, but also guys who are just not paying enough attention.  Maybe the USGA could try and at least make them make it realllllly obvious that it's an illegal club in some way?  Politely ask that manufacturers all put a green stripe on the bottom, or a pink dot, or something to make it easy for everybody to know if its illegal.

Yeah.  If they don't somehow make them very obvious it will just about wreck the game for amateur competitions.  I can guarantee that I would immediately support a boycott against any manufacturer who makes such a club without any obvious distinction.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourputt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lihu

How would anyone get away with this? Every shot I make with my irons has a clump of dirt on the bottom of the club face stuck to it. You would need to reapply it every single shot. Plus, isn't the club shinier with the oil or grease on it?

On top of these questions, how the heck does putting this stuff on the face help?

Forgive me if I am asking, but I am not aware of all these other tactics.

It helps reduce sidespin, thus reducing or eliminating slices and hooks.  Because it also reduces backspin, it changes the ball flight somewhat, usually making for a lower trajectory.

Oh, thanks for the information, I guess I can see it increasing distance but sticking greens could be pretty hard with less spin.

Plus, I definitely don't need a lower ball flight.

It's most often done with the driver, so sticking a green isn't generally a factor in such a decision to cheat.

[RFKFREAK]

Voted no for two reasons.

1 - Even though I don't play in tournaments or even gamble with my friends, should an opportunity arise and I decide to play in a tournament, I'd like to be able to use equipment I'm familiar with and not have to readjust on the fly.

2 - I like to be true to myself and my progress.  My HC is what it is and whereas it's nothing to brag about, it's gotten lower over time, I hope it goes lower in the future, and I'm proud of the work I've put in to get it where it currently is.

[RussUK]

We have the Dunlop Rebel 515cc driver here and i cant say ive ever tought about using one tbh. Although i cant say much as i still plan on anchoring next year. only play for fun so as long as im not hurting anyone i'll carry on.

According to todays golfer some of the big brands are looking at adjustable golf balls. It has a cover thart you can alter the tackiness by soaking in a special solution.

Cant see that being R&A; or USGA approved

[turtleback]

Nah, it is way too expensive a way to cheat.  Much cheaper is just writing down a lower number than you scored.

[Lihu]

Nah, it is way too expensive a way to cheat.  Much cheaper is just writing down a lower number than you scored.

So true. Wish I had done that this morning, but no. . . .:-P

[RFKFREAK]

So true. Wish I had done that this morning, but no. . . .

Wish I could have played this morning, but no...

[Lihu]

[QUOTE name="Lihu" url="/t/79650/would-you-play-a-non-conforming-illegal-driver/36#post_1100077"] So true. Wish I had done that this morning, but no. . . .:-P [/QUOTE] Wish I could have played this morning, but no...:cry:

Not if you hit as many trees as I did. Amazed I made 3 greens on 9 holes today???

[Fourputt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RFKFREAK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lihu

So true. Wish I had done that this morning, but no. . . .

Wish I could have played this morning, but no...

Not if you hit as many trees as I did. Amazed I made 3 greens on 9 holes today???

I'd take the trees just to get out and play.

[RFKFREAK]

I'd take the trees just to get out and play.

+1

[mvmac]

I feel like this will be a nightmare for us who play in tournaments amongst regular amateurs.  Not so much guys who are intentionally cheating, but also guys who are just not paying enough attention.  Maybe the USGA could try and at least make them make it realllllly obvious that it's an illegal club in some way?  Politely ask that manufacturers all put a green stripe on the bottom, or a pink dot, or something to make it easy for everybody to know if its illegal.

I think the retailers and OEM's would make it pretty obvious if they made a club that was non-conforming to USGA rules.

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

I feel like this will be a nightmare for us who play in tournaments amongst regular amateurs.  Not so much guys who are intentionally cheating, but also guys who are just not paying enough attention.  Maybe the USGA could try and at least make them make it realllllly obvious that it's an illegal club in some way?  Politely ask that manufacturers all put a green stripe on the bottom, or a pink dot, or something to make it easy for everybody to know if its illegal.

I think the retailers and OEM's would make it pretty obvious if they made a club that was non-conforming to USGA rules.

Doesn't this somewhat depend upon what they do to make it non-conforming?

From my condensed (120+ mixed 9 and 18 hole rounds in 6 months) experience, it's actually pretty obvious when someone is using non conforming drivers. It's really obvious from seeing which club they use for their approach. I think a lot of guys use them in the winter to compensate for distance loss in the colder weather?

In any case, the "club distance/driver distance percentage" is pretty accurate IMO.

For reference, this is what I am referring to: http://thesandtrap.com/t/79608/distance-ratio-are-your-iron-distances-proportionate-to-your-driver#post_1099364

[billchao]

Guys, let's stick to the topic, please. [quote name="Fourputt" url="/t/79650/would-you-play-a-non-conforming-illegal-driver/30#post_1100063"] It's most often done with the driver, so sticking a green isn't generally a factor in such a decision to cheat. [/quote]With the low spin drivers out today, this seems pointless. I can get down to 1900rpm on a good hit, and if I reduce the spin on my mis-hits, they wouldn't stay up in the air long enough for me to gain any benefit.

[Pretzel]

I thought the topic was non-conforming drivers? Does the discussion of a driver with Vaseline on the face (a non-conforming driver) not count as the same thing?

With the low spin drivers out today, this seems pointless. I can get down to 1900rpm on a good hit, and if I reduce the spin on my mis-hits, they wouldn't stay up in the air long enough for me to gain any benefit.

This I would agree with. With modern balls and drivers, spin is much less of a factor than it was previously. With the high-spinning balls of the past, the Vaseline would reduce the overall spin to make shots travel both straighter and further. Currently that same trick would just make your tee shots spin so little that they'd go a shorter overall distance I think.

[Lihu]

Guys, let's stick to the topic, please.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourputt

It's most often done with the driver, so sticking a green isn't generally a factor in such a decision to cheat.

With the low spin drivers out today, this seems pointless. I can get down to 1900rpm on a good hit, and if I reduce the spin on my mis-hits, they wouldn't stay up in the air long enough for me to gain any benefit.

Seems like using grease is illegal, but a low spin head which appears to accomplish that goal is legal? What is illegal now might be legal in the future of golf?

[Golfingdad]

Doesn't this somewhat depend upon what they do to make it non-conforming?

From my condensed (120+ mixed 9 and 18 hole rounds in 6 months) experience, it's actually pretty obvious when someone is using non conforming drivers. It's really obvious from seeing which club they use for their approach. I think a lot of guys use them in the winter to compensate for distance loss in the colder weather?

In any case, the "club distance/driver distance percentage" is pretty accurate IMO.

For reference, this is what I am referring to: http://thesandtrap.com/t/79608/distance-ratio-are-your-iron-distances-proportionate-to-your-driver#post_1099364

Huh?  You are able to tell who uses non-conforming drivers based on the club they use for their approach shot?  That is silly.

Are there even any non-conforming drivers out there today?  (Except for the aforementioned 15 year old Callaway)