D-S
Well-known member
I just looked up 4.3a(3) and it refers to ’Information Gathered Before or During a Round’ - is this the correct rule reference? Shouldn’t it be 4.1a(3)?
Tracker dots on clubface
- Thread starter D-S
- Start date
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
…as in my query of not so long ago about strike spray on the club face (well where else would it be you might ask). As it can give me immediate feedback on precisely where I hit the ball it ain’t allowed…
rulefan
Tour Winner
I am not querying the rule itself. It is clear in what it says.
I was simply making an observation about the need or justification.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
I heard that the stickers could be deemed an extra alignment aid which is why they're not allowed. Same as that Matsuyama one where he'd coloured in some of the grooves with tippex or something.
salfordlad
Well-known member
Yes, the rule reference was incorrect (sorry), it should be 4.1a(3).
salfordlad
Well-known member
No external attachment is permitted on the face. Period.
Here's something from the USGA F/B Rules site saying marking the face with a sharpie for alignment purposes is not a problem.
Charlie Bollans 24 December 2021
MARKING FACE OF CLUB WITH SHARPIE
Hoping the USGA can clear this one up.
Is drawing a line on the club like this prior to a round legal? (Vertical Sharpie line down middle of iron)
Drawn in permanent marker, prior to playing, not easily removed just with a cloth.
Line is purely on the face and doesn’t extend onto the crown.
Various rules ‘may’ come into play but don’t seem to restrict this in their wording.
decorative markings, temporary substances, modifying performance characteristics,’equipment’ used for alignment.
Equipment rules mention if a substance had been applied to aid the player making a stroke- this is the closest I can find- but that relates to temporary substances
USGA RESPONSE
Why are you putting it there? If you’re doing it to get impact feedback or similar assistance then no go. Purely decorative or even for alignment would be OK.
wjemather
Well-known member
Surely this would be akin to the age-old practice of applying lead tape, so perfectly acceptable.
salfordlad
Well-known member
As I said, I don't see anything in the Rules or Equipment Rules that would prevent them going on the back of the club. But lead tape brings different issues I think - it is a structural part of the delivery of specific club specs.
mikejohnchapman
Challenge Tour Pro
So how come Rickie Fowler gets away with this?
https://golf.com/gear/drivers/rickie-fowler-cobra-darkspeed-driver-phoenix/
https://golf.com/gear/drivers/rickie-fowler-cobra-darkspeed-driver-phoenix/
Swango1980
Well-known member
Sure, but how many golfers hit the sweet spot?
Is it not more of a case that, rather than having to treat every single thing that could be stuck to a club face separately, it is easier to have a blanket rule regarding the club face? That way, you don't need to argue how performance may or may not be impacted upon. The rule simply says it cannot be done.
rulie
Head Pro
Those lines are not "attachments", they are etched into the metal. And I'm very certain that the club manufacturer (and the player) would have confirmed with the USGA, before use, that the club was still conforming to the Equipment Rules.
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
It took me a minute to make me realise you are referring to the vertical stripes and not the markings on the bottom of the club
rulie
Head Pro
I suspect the "markings on the bottom of the club" were made by white tees while he was practicing.It took me a minute to make me realise you are referring to the vertical stripes and not the markings on the bottom of the club
Swango1980
Well-known member
He should have waited for them to dry after painting them
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
They look like his child has drawn them at school.
the middle ones not level or straight. It’s not the same colour paint as the others.
They certainly don’t look etched in.
they look like he’s just drawn them on , I am suprized they are legal.
rulie
Head Pro
Rickie Fowler's clever reason for etching lines on his driver face
Rickie Fowler opens up on Cobra Darkspeed testing, adding lines to the driver face, brand loyalty, popular putters and more.
golf.com
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
It does say several times the lines have been added.??Rickie Fowler's clever reason for etching lines on his driver face
Rickie Fowler opens up on Cobra Darkspeed testing, adding lines to the driver face, brand loyalty, popular putters and more.
Still a bit surprising these are allowed.!
Just a thought if others had the dots etched on would they be legal.?
rulie
Head Pro
Not sure? You can read/download the Equipment Rules here:
Equipment Rules
The main objective of the Equipment Rules is to ensure that technological advances are in the best interests of the game of golf.
www.randa.org
salfordlad
Well-known member
Explained by the USGA in post #26.
cliveb
Head Pro
So...
No kind of "tape or similar substance" can be applied to the face "for any purpose".
But it's ok to draw lines with a Sharpie.
In that case, instead of using adhesive dots, if we draw white dots on with a white Sharpie, presumably that would be ok?