On March 30, 2005, the USGA indicated an interest in
considering allowing more types of adjustable features on
woods and irons. As stated at the time:
| "The Rulebook currently states that wood and
irons must not be designed to be adjustable except for
weight. The USGA is considering allowing more types of
adjustable features to be used in woods and irons. It is
possible that a proposal to allow more types of
adjustable features on woods and irons could be made in
the future. An important consideration of any such
proposal would be to continue to disallow any adjustments
being made during a stipulated round." |
The USGA is now proposing to amend the current rule to
permit some additional forms of adjustability of woods and
irons. The USGA believes that permitting this type of
technology is a change that can serve to help many golfers
obtain clubs that are well suited to their needs without
causing any harm to the game.
The proposed change to the applicable Rule: (Appendix II,
1.b. Adjustability).
From (current rule):
Woods and irons must not be designed to be adjustable
except for weight. Putters may be designed to be adjustable
for weight and some other forms of adjustability are also
permitted. All methods of adjustment permitted by the Rules
require that:
- the adjustment cannot be readily made;
- all adjustable parts are firmly fixed and there is no
reasonable likelihood of them working loose during a
round; and
- all configurations of adjustment conform with the
Rules.
The disqualification penalty for purposely changing the
playing characteristics of a club during a stipulated round
(Rule 4-2a) applies to all clubs including a putter.
To: (proposed rule)
All clubs may incorporate mechanisms for weight
adjustment. Other forms of adjustability may also be
permitted upon evaluation by the USGA.
The following requirements apply to all permissible
methods of adjustment:
- the adjustment cannot be readily made;
- all adjustable parts are firmly fixed and there is
no reasonable likelihood of them working loose during a
round; and
- all configurations of adjustment conform with the
Rules.
The disqualification penalty for purposely changing the
playing characteristics of a club during a stipulated round
(Rule 4-2a) applies to all clubs including a putter.
Under this proposal, the following terms would also
apply:
- No adjustment would be allowed to be made during a
stipulated round.
- It should not be assumed that any and all adjustable
features will be considered conforming by the USGA.
- A manufacturer should communicate its adjustable
feature concept as early as possible to the USGA,
preferably prior to beginning any volume production. A
manufacturer should then submit to the USGA a sample of a
club which is to be manufactured, for a ruling as to
whether the club conforms with the Rules. If a manufacturer
fails to submit a sample or to await a ruling before
manufacturing and/or marketing the club, the manufacturer
assumes the risk of a ruling that the club does not conform
with the Rules.
Implementation:
It is proposed that this rule change become effective for
clubs submitted to the USGA for conformance evaluation after
January 1, 2008. Any clubs with currently non-conforming
adjustable features that are submitted to the USGA prior to
January 1, 2008 would not receive a conformance decision
until after January 1, 2008, and in any case would not be
eligible for play where USGA Rules apply prior to January 1,
2008, if this proposal is approved.
Written comments regarding the proposed change to the
rules governing adjustability should be sent to the USGA,
attention Dick Rugge, P.O. Box 708, Far Hills, NJ 07931, Fax
908-234-0138, e-mail:
drugge@usga.org
. Written comments received later than May 1, 2007 will not
be considered.