I can’t seem to find maltby Fairway & hybrids on the usga confirming list. Am I missing something? I find drivers, irons, and wedges.
Basically clubs with lofts of 25 deg. or higher would be tested for groove conformity and lofts of 35 deg. or lower are now tested for COR or CT (spring like effect). It was only recently that the USGA set a test standard for the CT check of clubs with lofts of 35 deg. or lower, principally because of the claim of some manufacturers of enhanced ball speeds due to spring like effect on some iron designs. It is a different test than is performed on Drivers. In recent years, we have not submitted Fairways and Hybrids. Our plan is to send in fairways and hybrids in models that are most likely to be used by players in events where conformity might come into question. All of our designs are produced to be conforming and we are extremely confident when submitted they will be placed on the Informational list. The USGA has recently increased the cost to submit clubs, and it’s not cheap. We currently have the STw2 drivers and irons submitted, as well as the new TSW wedges. Once those are done, our plan is to start the process of sending in the TC Fairways and Hybrids and the STf2 Fairways and STh2 Hybrids. It is taking much longer to get results due to the current situation we are all in. The USGA is working, but with reduced staff, as I understand it.
Our priority has always been the Drivers, since it is required to be on the USGA list, and the irons. There is not “iron” list and manufacturers are not required to send in irons, but they should be on the “Informational” list the USGA publishes so IF a player or Tournament director, etc. has a question they can reference the list. Drivers and golf balls are the only clubs that MUST be on the list, and Irons are much more likely to be questioned about conformity. That being said, of course all clubs should be manufactured within the guidelines, which we do. There is a protocol a player or a manufacturer can follow for sending in an iron, fairway wood or hybrid that is not on the Information list, if a question arises.
Hope this helps clarify the often confusing issue of club conformity and what actually is required.
Britt Lindsey
Rlafoone, if my grasp of the rules are correct, clubs under 13* of loft (drivers) need to conform to COR measurements on their club face. Irons and wedges need to conform to groove measurement specifics of corner radius and depth. Fairways and hybrids have more than 13* of loft so they do not need to meet COR and, I’m guessing, since they are not irons, they do not need to meet a groove spec requirement.
thanks sagolfer…