Look out this week for several players using the new Callaway Great Big Bertha II driver, in the US PGA Championship at Hazeltine, which starts on Thursday.
It was first put in the hands of staff players at last week's Buick Open and conforms to new rules issued by the USGA and the R&A for play in competition at professional and top amateur level.
Originally the two organisations had agreed an amnesty for thin-faced drivers with a .860 COR of trampoline effect, to last until January 2008.
Now, after further consultation with worldwide pro Tours and top amateur authorities, they have changed their minds and decided to restrict the COR (Coefficient of Restitution) to .830.
It will take immediate effect in the US and Mexico but will not operate until January 2008 in the rest of the world supervised by the R&A, - apart from in tournaments featuring 'highly skilled players' where it will introduce a 'condition of competition' from next January (including The Open, British Amateur and European Tour events).
In just under six years time all drivers throughout the world will be restricted to a COR of .830 for all competitions -both amateur and professional.
The new Great Big Bertha II is a follow-up driver to the Callaway ERC II driver which started the storm over 'illegal' drivers in 2000.
So how does, the USGA's change of heart, effect you and me?
If you live in the US, it limits the legal drivers you can play with in competition - though Callaway says it will replace any non-forming clubs that have been bought in the last two months.
Says Callaway's Ron Drapeau: "We are disappointed, but not surprised, with the USGA's decision not to go forward with the proposed compromise that it announced less than three months ago.
"The USGA has been rigid in not allowing golfers in the US to enjoy high COR drivers since it broke ranks with the R&A in 1998 and imposed the .830 limit.
"Despite data collected outside the US - where high COR drivers have been in use by amateurs and professionals for several years - that show no harm to the game, the USGA has held firm to its arbitrary and unilaterally established COR limit." he added.
Callaway is staying tight-lipped over whether it ends to proceed with litigation against the USGA or R&A.
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