Frequently Asked Questions: Equipment

Equipment manufacturers and designers may submit equipment to the USGA Research and Test Center for evaluation to receive an official conformance decision under the Rules of Golf.  

More information can be found here: Getting Equipment Tested

An online Equipment Database identifies clubs that have been submitted and evaluated for conformance to the Rules of Golf by the United States Golf Association and/or The R&A.

The Database includes drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, and wedges. Putters are submitted for conformance evaluation but are not included.

The full Equipment Rules can be found here.

The overall length of the club must be at least 18 inches (0.457m) and, except for putters, must not exceed 48 inches (1.219m).

However, a Committee may choose to adopt a Local Rule (G-10) that restricts the maximum length for clubs, other than putters, to 46 inches.

There are a few primary requirements that apply to the clubface; most notably grooves. While grooves may be shaped in a variety of ways, including square, "V" shaped or "U" shaped,  they must meet certain dimensional specifications (such as width, depth, spacing), they must have a symmetrical cross-section and they must meet all other specifications under Part 2, Section 5c of the Equipment Rules.

Additionally, decorative sandblasting is permissible. However, it may not exceed 180 micro inches (Ra) in roughness. Very fine milling is also permitted, but must not exceeded a peak to trough depth of no greater than 0.001".

All golf balls sent to the USGA or The R&A for conformance evaluation that are tested and found to conform to the Equipment Rules are published on a monthly basis on the List of Conforming Golf Balls. As a player, you should check to see if the List of Conforming Golf Balls (Model Local Rule G-3) is in effect as a Local Rule at your club or event.

Without this Local Rule in effect, any golf ball may be used under the Rules of Golf, provided it has not been tested and found not to conform, or is not obviously non-conforming or advertised as such (see Clarifications 4.2a(1)/1 and 4.2a(1)/2 in the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf).

Yes, a distance-measuring device may have additional functionality (e.g., the capability to measure wind, elevation, etc.), provided those functions are not used during a round. Click here to view our DMD infographic.

Yes, adding paint or ink (such as a sharpie marker) to the top of the clubhead to help with alignment is permitted.

Yes, provided the grips are both circular in cross-section and properly spaced apart (at least 1.5"). These grips do not need to have the same diameter, but the diameter must be no more than 1.75" measured in any direction.

The USGA typically does not evaluate training aids unless they are capable of being used during a round. It is likely that use of a training aid would not be allowed under Rule 4.3 during a round, but a player who is uncertain whether they may use a piece of equipment in a particular way should ask the Committee for a ruling prior to use.

Braces or wraps may be permitted under Rule 4.3b, if you have a medical reason to use the equipment, and the Committee decides that it does not give you any unfair advantage over other players.

A player can place a shaft in any orientation to the clubhead provided the desired orientation is not for the purpose of influencing the club's performance (e.g., to attempt to correct for a hook or slice). Additionally, manufacturers of clubs may orientate or align shafts which have spines for uniformity in assembling sets or in an effort to make the shafts perform as if they were perfectly symmetrical (i.e., aligning in a neutral position).

However, a shaft which has been manufactured and/or orientated for the purpose of influencing the performance of a club would be contrary to the intent of Part 2, Section 2b of the Equipment Rules.

Yes, provided the adjustment mechanism is not readily adjustable. See Part 2, Section 1b of the Equipment Rules. A locking mechanism is required to ensure the shaft is not readily adjustable. An Allen screw placed through the joint of a pool-cue type shaft would suffice. It is recommended that adjustable features for clubs be submitted to the USGA's Equipment Standards department for evaluation.

No, Part 2, Section 2c of the Equipment Rules states that the shaft must be attached to the clubhead at the heel through a single plain neck and/or socket.

However, a putter shaft or neck or socket may be fixed at any point in the head.

No, Rule 4.1a(3) states that a player must not make a stroke with a club when they have deliberately changed the club’s playing characteristics during the round, such as by applying any substance to the clubhead (other than in cleaning it) to affect how it performs in making a stroke. The “playing characteristics” of a club are any part, feature, or property that affects how the club performs or aids in alignment, including but not limited to, weighting, lie, loft, alignment features and permissible external attachments.