Palmer Backs
'Non-Conforming' Driver

Arnold Palmer has given his personal backing to Callaway Golf's two new drivers, one of which cannot be used by amateurs or professionals in competitions in the United States even though it fully conforms to the Royal & Ancient Golf Club 's equipment regulations.

The ERC II Forged Titanium Driver uses a four-piece construction from forged titanium components to deliver, in the words of Richard C.Helmstetter, senior executive vice-president of research and development for golf clubs and golf balls, "the hottest and most forgiving driver Callaway Golf has ever made".

But, like the original ERC, it has fallen foul of the United States Golf Association's "spring-like effect" rule that limits a club's coefficient of restitution (COR) - the efficiency with which a driver transfers energy from clubface to ball.

None the less, Callaway Golf will make the ERC II available to American consumers to use in rounds not governed by the USGA's restrictions

One of these 'consumers' is seven-times major winner Palmer, who said: "I have done a lot of testing with the ERC II and I believe this driver will have a tremendous appeal to all of us golfers who very often go out on the course simply to enjoy this great game with family and friends.

"I expect to use the ERC II Driver in recreational play at Bay Hill, Latrobe and elsewhere next year. Just as I have found personally, I believe that nearly every golfer will get special enjoyment from the extra forgiveness and extra distance off the tee that this driver can give to them."

Callaway Golf president Chuck Yash said: "The clubs sold in the US will be clearly marked 'Does Not Conform With USGA Rules – App. II, 5a'. On the other hand, because the ERC II Driver fully conforms with all of the Rules of the R&A, we expect that it will be used by both recreational golfers and very skilled amateur golfers and professionals competing in tournaments in areas of the world governed by the R&A. We believe that golfers everywhere will benefit from the superior performance features built into the ERC II Driver."

The company's other new driver – the Hawk Eye VFT Titanium Driver – is made out of cast titanium and is being used by Palmer when he plays in tournaments on the US Senior PGA Tour.

"We have created a choice for golfers," said Helmstetter. "If you prefer a slightly smaller (although still oversized) clubhead and the performance of cast titanium, then the Hawk Eye VFT is the driver for you."

Both products incorporate VFT (Variable Face Thickness) technology and will be available to retail customers around the world no later than January 2001 when Callaway Golf are also introducing a full line of Hawk Eye VFT Fairway Woods.

Meanwhile, company founder and chairman Ely Callaway confirmed that legal action would not be pursued against the USGA. "Although we still disagree with that limitation on drivers and the way in which it was adopted, and think that the R&A acted wisely and properly in turning it down, we have decided that we will not initiate a lawsuit against the USGA because of its new COR Test.

"We are in effect agreeing with the right of the USGA to publish equipment rules for competitive rounds in the United States, and will be offering our new Hawk Eye VFT Driver and the rest of our Hawk Eye, Steelhead Plus and Odyssey products as the very best equipment, in our opinion, that any golfer can use in such events."