Clone Drivers

Got my driver back and have had a couple of games with it, what a differance I am hitting the ball most times STRAIGHT yes straight up the middle which means more distance yippee.Ed ( the clubmaker ) told me he had weighted my driver the same as my old plus ten so that was to my advantage.

I'm in the process of searching for a new driver.
Undecided as to which way I will go.

Cheers

Darran2

Agree on the above, but even Nike get it wrong They had to re-call all of the Sumo2 Drivers due to Nonconforming head, so even the top makers get it wrong sometimes)

http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/clu..._sumo2_drivers

Think what you like guys and go out and buy expensive drivers I am happy with my 106 euro driver it does the biz for me and its legal.

I have an oversized Mizuno driver which is legal so no problem there. I do have one club which is a clone- a 5 wood which for whatever reason really fits my swing and does so well so I left it in the bag. I wonder if there is such a thing as an illegal 5 or even 3 wood? Or for that matter illegal irons? Isn't the driver or ball the only things that can be illegal?

There's length restrictions on all clubs, and there are special rules for putters that can make them non-conforming.

hi cyc
they banned Ping eye 2 irons back in the 90s as the space between the groves was to small, it was not the square groves but the taper that made one grove closer to the other. there were baned but many players still use them at club level as its at the clubs discretion but not aloud in pro or R&A competitions or qualifiers.
cheers
bill

Well, my 5 wood is of normal length so I guess that means it's legal.

hi cyc
if you really want to know send an E-mail to the R&A giving then every marking you can find on your club and they will get back in about 10 days and if it a tested club with a result.
if you play in only club matches it not likely to ever come up.
cheers
bill

Yes, I only play in club matches and small tournaments so no problem... It's just that it would be a bit embarrassing to admit that one of my clubs is a clone but then again, I hit it so well... Anyway, labels aside, a stick is just a stick, eh?

hi cyc
with handicap player say you play of 16 and you have a driver that is not on the R&A list and it takes two shots off your game a round then your handicap will be adjusted and any advantage the club gives you is taken away. if you play scratch then that a different ball gave and you could gain an advantage and that why at scratch you clubs are checked more than if playing of say 16.
cheers
bill

Sorry I don't agree with any of that, it’s like moving a leaf and the ball moves (I'm of 16hc) so it doesn’t matter.

We all play to the same rules or the game falls apart.

If you have any principles then you make sure your clubs are legal before you play. I see no gain/improvement by using clubs that wont pass the R&A USGA system. In the end you have to sleep on it. (I for one would not get much sleep).

hi Cliff
read the R&A rules it states its only illegal to use no-conforming drivers in in games run by then it only applies if clubs list no-conforming drivers and state that there not allowed.
most clubs do not have that rule in use at club game level so if you have a no-conforming driver its only illegal if your club uses the R&A no-conforming rules.
if you look at the new rule in appendix, part C, 1a you will see that it only applies to competition restricted to a high level of skilled player and is not recommended at club level.
cheers
bill

__________________
ping zing2 metal driver
ping zing2 metal 3 wood
ping eye2 1 iron
ping zing2 3/9 irons
ping ist 47% wedge
ping zing2 52% s/wedge
ping mb 56% wedge
ping c10 G2I broom handled putter
top flight "T" golf balls
white ping bag

hi Cliff
i like to give you a question asked to the R&A and there answer.

question.
why is the use of condition not recommended for use at club level golf? if all drivers had to be included on the conforming list, wouldn't it make it less confusing for the club level golfer and easer for club committees.

R&A reply.
Applying the condition at club level would take would take out drivers from there bags necessarily,
there are many small manufacturers and club components manufactures around the world who do not submit there products for a ruling and it would be unreasonable to prohibit the use of theres clubs even though the may and often do conform to the rules.

i think that if playing of a high handicap then you play for fun and don't want to be having to get a new driver every year then you are not breaking the rules as they only apply to competitions for the better golfer (2 to scratch) i also know that if you tried to play in a qualifier to get into the OPEN all the clubs in the bag have to be listed (make and model) and are scrutinized for wear before you get to play and that the right way is should be done.
golf at club level don't need that as that high handicap golf don't get that advantage that a scratch golfer would if he got any at all.
my friend had a K1 speed driver she got in September and it was on the no-conforming list this year, she took it back and complained and was offered the new conforming driver as a discount and she took it. she cant tell the difference between the two on the golf range and i could not other than one had K1 on the face. there was no gain to her game in any way using the old driver compared to the new one other than she was another £60 out of pocket and i think that what the R&A are trying not to happen, have the club golfer dipping in his pocket ever year from new equipment when the old equipment is good to play at club level.
cheers.
bill

__________________
ping zing2 metal driver
ping zing2 metal 3 wood
ping eye2 1 iron
ping zing2 3/9 irons
ping ist 47% wedge
ping zing2 52% s/wedge
ping mb 56% wedge
ping c10 G2I broom handled putter
top flight "T" golf balls
white ping bag

Appendix II, 4c of the 2008 edition of the Rules of Golf states that:

"The design, material and/or construction of, or any treatment to, the clubhead (which includes the face) must not … have the effect of a spring which exceeds the limit set forth in the Pendulum Test Protocol on file with the R&A"

This is a new Rule which applies to all golfers of all ability and in all forms of play.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Appendix I, Part C, 1a states that "If the Committee wishes to limit players to drivers that have a clubhead identified by model and loft, that is on the Conforming Driver Head List, the List should be made available and the following condition of competition used:

"Any driver the player carries must have a clubhead, identified by model and loft, that is named on the current List of Conforming Driver Heads issued by the R&A.

Exception: A driver with a clubhead that was manufactured prior to 1999 is exempt from this condition."

Notes on Administration of Conforming List as Condition of Competition:

The penalty for breaching this Condition can be found in Appendix I, Part C, 1a.
The List of Conforming Driver Heads Condition of Competition is only recommended for use by Committees in charge of competitions restricted to highly skilled players (including top amateur events). However, the Condition should not be confused with the Rule itself. The Rule applies to all golfers whereas the Condition requires that the driver the player uses not only conforms to this Rule, but is also included on the List of Conforming Driver Heads. The Condition is an additional requirement which can be introduced by Committees in charge of elite level competitions. It is not recommended for use at Club level golf.
The Condition only covers driver heads. However, any driving club that a player carries must conform to all other rules pertaining to golf clubs.
It is the player's responsibility to carry clubs that conform to the Rules of Golf, and all relevant Conditions of Competition. Players and manufacturers, therefore, should take care to ensure that any modification of a driver head does not alter the playing characteristics such that it becomes different from the sample submitted for evaluation which appears on the List.
If a driver fails any on-site evaluation (i.e.; club length, spring effect, groove dimensions, etc.), the individual club is considered non-conforming and may not be carried by the player even if that model of driver appears on the List.
Until further notice, there will be no expiration date for a clubhead included on the List. However, a clubhead included on the List may be removed if it no longer conforms to the Rules of Golf due to, for example, a subsequent Rules change.



If you play in a Q comp then you must use conforming equipment FULL STOP.

If you intend to beat up you friends with non-conforming equipment thats your problem.

On the other hand if you are just starting out then go with what you can afford, preferably under the control of a good pro teaching you at the same time.

That way you will get the best start to this great game.

Regards Cliff