Overview Of USGA/R&A Regulations Covering Golf Balls and Golf Clubs

General

Regulations covering golf clubs and golf balls occurred because design and development in the early years ran unchecked. Since their inception, golf balls and golf clubs have changed dramatically from the first rudimentary examples to the modern "precision golfing tools". It was not until the modern era that both the USGA and the R&A have stepped in to put limits on these technological advances. They have done so:

• to prevent the obsolescence of golf courses,
• to ensure a "level playing field" for players, and
• to ensure a "level playing field" for manufacturers.

Compliance

It is now a standard requirement that new driver head designs must be sent to the USGA/R&A for rulings on their compliance. If they are deemed compliant with the latest rules, then they are added to the Conforming Driver List. If they are judged as non-conforming, then they are added to the Non-conforming Driver List. There do not appear to be any rules covering shaft technology, other than shape.

The same submission requirement applies for new golf balls. There is a Conforming Golf Ball List.

Compliance issues are covered in Rules 4 and 5 and Appendices II and III of the Rules of Golf. An online booklet of the Guidelines to the rules can be viewed at the USGA website This site also provides access to the conforming and non-conforming lists.

A Joint Statement of Principles between the two governing bodies can also be found at the USGA Website.

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