Non Conforming wedges clarification

[Richuk123]

hi all.

Had a debate with a fellow golfer about the use of non conforming wedges. He plays the Dunlop Rebel Wedges with the RIP grooves, which don't conform to new wedge rules.

He says that as they were made pre 2010 , he can use them until 2024. I seem to think they were made after and therefore he can't . We're friends so there were no handbags.

He also pointed out that our course is on a temporary layout due to work being carried out on the 18th and so the events are currently non qualifiers, so he can use them regardless in these conditions.

Is he right?

All views welcome

Thanks all..

 

[BTatHome]

No specific idea about that wedge, but the rest of his statement is correct. Manufacturers shouldn't have made them after that date, and they shouldn't have been sold either (no idea how you are supposed to enforce those restrictions though) and unless he is an elite amatuer then he would have many years until the amateur enforcement comes into effect.

Either way, I doubt he'd see any difference in using legal/illegal wedges.

 

[Imurg]

I've an idea that these Rebel wedges even break the old groove rule - could be wrong but something tells me they do....

 

[duncan mackie]

A Committee that wishes to limit players to clubs manufactured with grooves and/or punch marks that conform to all aspects of the Rules of Golf, including those that are effective from January 1, 2010, may adopt the condition of competition detailed below. While this condition of competition may be adopted for any competition, it is recommended only for competitions involving expert players (e.g., professional golf or the highest level of amateur golf).

So question 1 becomes whether your club has implemented such a CoC (we, and most others, haven't). This is regardless of dates in respect of the specific regulations introduced in 2010.

The issue of Q or Non-Q competitions is a complete red herring. Whilst you cannot run a Q competition when the rules of golf are not being followed it by no means follows that because a competition is NQ the rules of golf don't apply!

 

[nemicu]

Here are the groove rules (happy reading :/)
http://www.randa.org/en/Equipment/Equipment-Search/Informational-Clubs/Groove-Rules-Explained.aspx

As far as I know, the Dunlop Rebel has never been conforming to the rules anyway, so any claim on conformity is invalid. Your partner has the gist of it right but it would only apply to wedges that were once deemed conforming. So he is an absolute bounder.

 

[Richuk123]

Here are the groove rules (happy reading :/)
http://www.randa.org/en/Equipment/Equipment-Search/Informational-Clubs/Groove-Rules-Explained.aspx

As far as I know, the Dunlop Rebel has never been conforming to the rules anyway, so any claim on conformity is invalid. Your partner has the gist of it right but it would only apply to wedges that were once deemed conforming. So he is an absolute bounder.

nice one Nemicu. That will wind him up before we play tomorrow

 

[palindromicbob]

Here are the groove rules (happy reading :/)
http://www.randa.org/en/Equipment/Equipment-Search/Informational-Clubs/Groove-Rules-Explained.aspx

As far as I know, the Dunlop Rebel has never been conforming to the rules anyway, so any claim on conformity is invalid. Your partner has the gist of it right but it would only apply to wedges that were once deemed conforming. So he is an absolute bounder.

yup the rebel range is called that because it doesnt conform. all dunlop rebel clubs and even the balls are non -conforming.

 

[rosecott]

nice one Nemicu. That will wind him up before we play tomorrow

You could wind him up even more by asking him for a list of all the rules that don't apply to him.

 

[Richuk123]

Will check his driver not he tee, give it the old "that's got a hi-cor"