Illegal driver ignorance!
New rules 'could takes years' to filter through
It could take months or even years for the new Rules on non-conforming drivers to filter through to some golfers that the equipment they are using is illegal in competition. That's the view of one leading official who claims he knows of at least one golf club in the north-west that recently ignored the new R&A edict that drivers with a spring-effect face which exceeds the 0.83 COR should be outlawed. Graham Maly, new secretary of the North Region Professional Golfers Association, told the Liverpool Daily Post it happened at one club on Merseyside within days of the rule coming into operation. "The club reported they'd had a competition at the start of the year and one player had to tell another than the driver he was using did not conform. What made it more difficult was the player with the illegal driver went on to win the competition. "Since it was an unofficial event it was decided to let it go. But it will be different when we have the club medal later in the month.” Neither a committee nor a play can waive the Rules of Golf. And if a player signs the card of another in competition, whom he or she knows has used an illegal club, they too should be disqualified (Rule 1-3). Mr Maly suggests it could take months or indeed years for knowledge about the rule to filter right through the amateur game, down to a seniors four-ball playing a friendly in midweek, as they have for years. But how should clubs police the new 'trampoline-effect' rules introduced to stop the use of clubs, allegedly flying the ball too far? Some clubs have put up notices, some have circulated their membership, others have merely relied on responsible golfers to 'shop' those known to be using outlawed equipment. Graham Tonge, golf club maker and professional at Frodsham, sees the rulings as the first step by the R&A to limit the distances balls are being hit. “I think the R&A had to do something," he says. "The game has gone mad in modern times with players reaching par-4s with the driver off the tee and a par-5 with a drive and a wedge. It almost eliminates the skill factors in the game." Have the new 2008 Rules kicked in at your club? How were members or visitors notified? Have you shopped anyone yet? Tell us on the forum. |
