Appendix II says that club manufacturers 'should' submit a sample club for testing, so it is not absolutely compulsory, but there is a risk that the club could subsequently found to be non-conforming.
Conforming Club?
- Thread starter Region3
- Start date
nickjdavis
Head Pro
No.
And if someone challenged you as to its conformity it would be upon them to demonstrate that it was non conforming.
You just need to look at all of the small bespoke putter manufacturers who will craft you a putter (sometimes, but not always based on a standard "blank" from their range) based upon your own specifications, to realise that not every club built that is in use in competitive play, has been submitted for approval.
nickjdavis
Head Pro
This is plainly not correct. I know of at least three instances where major golf equipment manufacturers have released to market products, that anyone with a basic knowledge of the rules as they apply to equipment, would instantly know were non conforming.
In every case, when the "legality" of said equipment was questioned by individual golfers, the manufacturers basically turned round and said..." don't be silly, we are professionals, we know what we are doing better than you do". In all three cases the manufacturers eventually admitted they were wrong and put in place methods of negating the non conforming features of the equipment.
Manufacturers often don't undertake the due diligence one would expect.... sometimes its because of ignorance of the rule, sometimes its due to pressure of bringing a product to market, and sometimes its simply down to pure arrogance and a possible desire to see if they can push a rule to beyond bending point with the hope that they might get the rule amended retrospectively.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Which clubs have been released by manufacturers that are non conforming ?
Drivers with excessive COR's. Irons with illegal grooves. Putters with non-conforming heads or grips.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
And those exact clubs are ?
SatchFan
Q-School Graduate
Condor Golf make a selection of non-conforming (illegal) clubs but clearly market them that way. The wording off their site is "Designed for: Players who score 80 - 90, and not concerned with hitting an "illegal" club but just wanting to hit longer tee shots".
Leereed
Head Pro
A lad at ours got a non- conforming driver think it had a thinner face.We all had a go with it and it was no longer. is the average club golfer good enough to take advantage if any of a non- conforming club?
nickjdavis
Head Pro
There was a high profile thread on another golf forum that highlighted a club that, as it was advertised, was non conforming.
A well known GPS manufacturer released a DMD with a club suggestion facility.
A high profile electric trolley manufacturer released a trolley with a temperature gauge.
All non conforming.... and in each case the manufacturer had to alter the product or change their product promotion.
GreiginFife
Money List Winner
Dunlop Rebel range. Blatantly non-conforming. From an excessive CoR driver to a wedge that had practically razor edge grooves (I think they were actually dual depth/width as well).
nickjdavis
Head Pro
Try Googling...."Spiral Necked Putter"..... and see how many pictures you can find of putters with Spiral Necks.... and look at some of the manufacturers names.
Non conforming simply because the rules state that the hosel has to be of "plain design".
Non conforming simply because the rules state that the hosel has to be of "plain design".
GreiginFife
Money List Winner
On the OP, I would havd thought that its the head that goes for conformity approval rather than the whole club (due to the fact you can pretty much play any shaft you like in a head) and therefore the demo club is the same club as the retail version (or what woukd be the point in testing it if you were buying a different product?), the rules dont differentiate how a club is attached, save that it doesnt come loose. So whether its screwed or glued surely the head is conforming as long as its been deemed so.
The shaft also has to conform in being straight and symmetrical in cross section and bending properties, as does the grip. However the shaft in any test club is almost certainly going to conform.
GreiginFife
Money List Winner
Yes but the question ismore about the head (being a demo) surely as the rules set around the shaft is exactly that, around the shaft, hence why you can basicslly pair up any head with any shaft to make a conforming club, assuming the head is conforming and the chosen shaft meets the above description. IIRC most images on the conforming iron set lists are of heads only which one could assume means its the head (by its properties) that conforms. Attach a shaft that meets the requirements and you have a conforming club, no?
If the head conforms and you securely attach a straight and symmetrical shaft (even by a grub screw) then surely the club conforms?
I realise I use surely a lot there but trying to apply common sense to TRoG is liable to such things.
