Illegal Drivers

[Screwback]

Just wondered about this as its a couple of years since the rule was implemented.

Does anyone at your club still play in comps with an illegal driver or is it a rule thats strictly adheared to???

Also what are your opinions on it as a rule? too far for the amateur game or not???

 

[Spinn77]

At ours, as far as i know, its a rule taken seriously. I was asked about my driver and I had to check the list on the R&A site; got the all clear due to the T symbol on the top of the club and the word Taylormade on the sole (if memory serves).

but there were a couple of fella's who have asked me about it. Normally after a couple of decent drives though, desperation setting in - so i tell myself anyway.

I think i'd check if i knew enough about it all to recognise a potentially illegal one during a match. I wouldnt have a clue though

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I'm not aware of any illegal drivers but it wouldn't surprise me if there were some. As for it's introduction into the amateur game, I think it is probably a step too far. Most amateur's don't have the game to take advantage of many the technological improvements on a regular enough basis to worry about. I think probably the elite amateur events should adhere to the rules but as for us club golfers, is it really gonna make a difference?

This goes for the new groove rule too, let's face it, a large majority of of club golfers hit so few greens backspin is largely irrelevent. Those who do hit the greens, mostly don't get backspin form the fairway let alone the rough and those who do get backspin don't have the distance control to take advantage of it. In fact I would go as far as to say that many people could do without the backspin.

Personally I'm of the opinion that if the governing bodies want to make it tougher for the pros, they should narrow the fairways, grow the rough and make the bunkers into the hazards they are supposed to be.

 

[freddielong]

I think that the driver rule was made because of the other technology coming in behind it, I am sure most people on here are now hitting it further than they were, with there illegal club, imagine what it would be like with the illegal faces as well.
At our club it is adhered to I don't think I have seen anyone using anything they shouldn't be although we do need to get hold of the ball IMO

 

[Faldo_Fan]

By all accounts the advance in shaft and head technology and other areas since the ban means even the current legal driver out perform some of the banned ones anyway!
As soon as something is outlawed manufacturers look to compensate in other areas. I'm sure we'll see this with wedges next or balls to compensate for groove changes?

 

[RGDave]

I reckon it's all forgotten at mine and I'm fairly sure there might be a few chaps still using illegal kit.
I've seen a few dodgy looking clubs in bags but would never ask, it seems so irrelevant to amateur comps.

 

[Robobum]

I'm pretty sure that there are some 'moody' drivers in various bags at our place. Those guys are such infrequent players that they could have 25 clubs in the bag, illegal balls, drivers, wedges etc and still wouldn't break 100.

All the county comps that took place after this rule was put in place were religiously checking drivers on the 1st tee. Be interesting to see if the same is done with the wdges when that is introduced.

 

[RGDave]

I'm pretty sure that there are some 'moody' drivers in various bags at our place. Those guys are such infrequent players that they could have 25 clubs in the bag, illegal balls, drivers, wedges etc and still wouldn't break 100.

That's the truth I reckon.

 

[Sponge1980]

I'm sure that a few folk at my club are using drivers that have been made illegal. But as has been mentioned in posts above I dont think at our level of golf they are getting any advantage.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I concur. We have guys that have kit that is 5-10 years old and hasn't changed so its likely some of them will still be using an illegal driver. Am I bothered? Not a chance. I don't see how some 20 handicapper is going to get any advantage from a non-conforming driver when he can only hit it 200 yards max and can't guarantee it'll be straight.

If someone wants to stand on the 1st tee and do an audit thats fine but I don't really know how rigidly its been enforced

 

[Imurg]

OK I hear all the above and agree with it - but!!

If you're using an illegal driver, you're breaking a rule. In principle its the same as kicking your ball out of the rough every time your illegal driver puts you there.

If we stick to rules when we play properly (by that I mean disregarding paractice rounds), should we not completely comply with this rule too?
I know its not going to make any real difference but did Michelle Wie's transgression in another thread make any difference either?

You can't pick and choose the rules.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Imurg

I agree but how you going to police it. Members won't suddenly fork out on a new driver if the one they've been using for x years still does a job. I can't see anyone at my club standing on the 1st with a list of non-conforming clubs checking each one off to see if you can use it or not.

 

[Imurg]

Agreed. But it does beg the question - if this rule is being overlooked, are there others that don't get enforced as rigourously as they should?

 

[Screwback]

Agreed. But it does beg the question - if this rule is being overlooked, are there others that don't get enforced as rigourously as they should?

Thats the point i was trying to make if this rule can be shall we say over looked what others are being treated in the same manner.

 

[Golfman]

The improvements in shafts since the hot face clubs were banned makes more difference than the club face. Also how often fdo people find the centre of the clubface to hit the tiny hot spot?