Is this putter legal?

[CMNI]

I was given this putter as a joke at Christmas. LINKY


I have played ice hockey my whole life, and while I took the club as a joke, I have used it a couple of times. I have a much better feel for the ball as I know how to put pressure on this type of grip. Question is. Is this a legal putter to use?

 

[WillC]

No idea if it is legal, probably not.

I just think Happy Gilmore when I see it.

 

[atticusfinch]

I was given this putter as a joke at Christmas. LINKY


I have played ice hockey my whole life, and while I took the club as a joke, I have used it a couple of times. I have a much better feel for the ball as I know how to put pressure on this type of grip. Question is. Is this a legal putter to use?

Can't tell from the ad. Here's the rule.

The grip consists of material added to the shaft to enable the player to obtain a firm hold. The grip must be fixed to the shaft, must be straight and plain in form, must extend to the end of the shaft and must not be molded for any part of the hands. If no material is added, that portion of the shaft designed to be held by the player must be considered the grip.

(i)
For clubs other than putters the grip must be circular in cross-section, except that a continuous, straight, slightly raised rib may be incorporated along the full length of the grip, and a slightly indented spiral is permitted on a wrapped grip or a replica of one.

(ii)
A putter grip may have a non-circular cross-section, provided the cross-section has no concavity, is symmetrical and remains generally similar throughout the length of the grip. (See Clause (v) overleaf).

(iii)
The grip may be tapered but must not have any bulge or waist. Its cross-sectional dimensions measured in any direction must not exceed 1.75 inches (44.45 mm).

(iv)
For clubs other than putters the axis of the grip must coincide with the axis of the shaft.

(v)
A putter may have two grips provided each is circular in cross-section, the axis of each coincides with the axis of the shaft, and they are separated by at least 1.5 inches (38.1 mm).

 

[Colin L]

As far as I can see from the photo it looks as if it would be ok, but there’s no way I’d commit an opinion without something clearer.

 

[Hosel Fade]

looks like it should be fine

 

[bobmac]

If you're in doubt, contact the manufacturer and ask if it's been ok'd by the R&A for use in competition

 

[delc]

If you're in doubt, contact the manufacturer and ask if it's been ok'd by the R&A for use in competition

I checked the Rules of Golf Equipment section and surprisingly there is no list of conforming putters! I guess it just has to comply with the general rules for putters. It looks like a normal putter with a very long grip, so I can't see why it shouldn't conform.

 

[bobmac]

I checked the Rules of Golf Equipment section and surprisingly there is no list of conforming putters! I guess it just has to comply with the general rules for putters. It looks like a normal putter with a very long grip, so I can't see why it shouldn't conform.

' “A manufacturer should submit to The R&A a sample of a [product] to be manufactured for a ruling… If a manufacturer fails to submit a sample, or having submitted a sample, fails to await a ruling before manufacturing and/or marketing the [product], the manufacturer assumes the risk of a ruling that the [product] does not conform with the Rules”.
The above indicates that submissions of new equipment to The R&A for a ruling are strongly recommended, but not mandatory.'

As I said above.........

contact the manufacturer and ask if it's been ok'd by the R&A for use in competition

 

[delc]

As I said above.........

But that rule seems to apply to everything other than putters! There are lists of conforming drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and golf balls, but not putters. It would have to comply with the design requirements in Appendix II.

"If a manufacturer fails to submit a sample, or having submitted a sample, fails to await a ruling before manufacturing and/or marketing the [product], the manufacturer assumes the risk of a ruling that the [product] does not conform with the Rules”.


So if the manufacturer is happy that its putter conforms to the rules, it wouldn't be mandatory to submit a sample to the R&A. Remember that putters generally don't have grooves that need to be measured, etc.

 

[rulefan]

Check http://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-decisions.html#!rule-14323

1d - Alignment. The ad looks as if that is not ok.

 

[delc]

Check http://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-decisions.html#!rule-14323

1d - Alignment. The ad looks as if that is not ok.

It just looks like a normal Ping Anser style putter fitted with a long grip to me.

 

[bobmac]

But that rule seems to apply to everything other than putters! There are lists of conforming drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and golf balls, but not putters. It would have to comply with the design requirements in Appendix II.

"If a manufacturer fails to submit a sample, or having submitted a sample, fails to await a ruling before manufacturing and/or marketing the [product], the manufacturer assumes the risk of a ruling that the [product] does not conform with the Rules”.


So if the manufacturer is happy that its putter conforms to the rules, it wouldn't be mandatory to submit a sample to the R&A. Remember that putters generally don't have grooves that need to be measured, etc.

[h=2][/h]The OP asked if this putter is legal.
I replied
If you're in doubt, contact the manufacturer and ask if it's been ok'd by the R&A for use in competition

Clearly the OP is in doubt or he wouldn't have asked the question in the first place.

If they have submitted a sample and it has been classed as conforming, then you have your answer.
If they haven't submitted a sample, then I wouldn't use it.
And there's no real need to quote something to me that I quoted in my previous post as I probably know it already.