R&A
RESPONDS TO INQUIRIES CONCERNING
A POSSIBLE CONFORMANCE TEST
FOR “SPRING-LIKE” EFFECT IN GOLF CLUBS
The
Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (“R&A”), which
is the governing authority for the Rules of Golf outside
of the United States of America and Mexico, has received
a number of inquiries regarding its position on the “spring-like”
effect issue as a result of an R&A Notice to Manufacturers
dated 3rd May 2000, on this and related issues,
which has found its way into the public domain.
The purpose of this statement is to clarify matters,
including an update on the research programme at the University
of Birmingham into the club/ball impact process, an explanation
of the R&A’s conclusions to-date on this issue and information
on the proposed test procedure.
Firstly,
it is perhaps worth clarifying that the “spring-like” effect
issue concerns the proper interpretation of the rule (Appendix
11, 5a) which states:
“The
material and construction of, or any treatment to, the face
of clubhead shall not have the effect at impact of a spring
(test on file), or impact significantly more spin to the
ball than a standard steel face, or have any other effect
which would unduly influence the movement of the ball.”
The
Research Programme:
The
R&A’s programme of research, conducted by a multi-disciplinary
group involving the Physics, Applied Mathmatics, and Advance
Material Science departments at the University of Birmingham,
is essentially complete.
The study of the club/ball impact process involved
both ultrasonic analysis and advanced mathematical modelling
techniques, together with a comprehensive metallurgical
study, in an effort to better quantify behaviour at impact
in terms of the physical properties of the club and ball.
The research project concentrated on these issues,
using available data and technical information.
The successful completion of this project has provided
a much greater understanding of the complex impact process.
It has also yielded important information regarding
club design. Most importantly, it has provided information on those aspects of
modern club construction, which influence the club/ball
impact process in a significantly different manner when
compared to traditional non-metal clubs.
Conclusions
To-Date:
The
R&A’s Implements and Ball committee has studied the
research teams findings, including an assessment of the
effect of further developments in clubhead design and construction
and it has been decided after long and careful consideration
that regulation, in the form of a test procedure, is required.
Of
principle concern, it has been determined that without any
regulation in this area, performance enhancements due to
equipment alone could result in golfers gaining significant
increases in driving distances.
Despite their short-term appeal, such distance gains
are not considered to be in the best long-term interests
of the game, especially when added to other factors which
enable modern golfers to hit the ball further than their
predecessors (such as improved physique, fitness, coaching,
course preparation, etc.).
The
R&A’s research programme has also indicated that much
of the enhanced performance (increased driving distance),
assuming good design and manufacture, is the result of flexing
(due to thinning of the face, crown or sole, or some combination
of these) in modern hollow metal woods. It should also be remembered that the rules
require the face of the club to be “hard and rigid” (Appendix
11.5a) and that al parts of the clubhead must be “rigid”
(Appendix 11.4a).
According,
it is proposed that by regulating the thickness of the component
parts of the clubhead, a simple and effective test can be
developed and implemented.
Proposed
R&A Test Protocol
The
principle of the proposed R&A test protocol is to place
minimum thickness limits on the clubhead’s face, crown and
sole. These can be measured by a commercially available,
hand-held ultrasonic measurement device which when coupled
to a personal computer, will produce a picture of the strata
of each component at a certain location (including thickness
of the paint (or lacquer) and any pores).
The
exact numerical thickness limits are the subject of continuing
refinement by the research team at the University of Birmingham.
This refinement work will take approximately
8 weeks, during which time all manufacturers have been invited
to provide a written submission concerning this proposal
(to be received by 23rd June 2000).
Once
the refinement work is completed, the relevant committees
of the R&A will review the proposed test protocol, together
with all written submissions.
It is currently anticipated that a further notice
to Manufacturers will be issued in July, inviting comments
on the detailed protocol (to be received by early September). An implementation date of 1st October
2000 is being considered.
The
R&A is conscious that this proposed test protocol is
different to that adopted by the United States Golf Association
in November 1998 and mindful of the widespread support manufacturers
have for uniformity in equipment regulation.
These issues will be borne in mind during the continued
deliberations over the coming months.
With
regard to the current situation, it is perhaps worth confirming
that as yet the R&A has not introduced any test and
no rulings (conforming or otherwise) have been given on
any submissions of hollow metal woodheads with 15 degrees
of loft or less since commencing its independent research
(i.e. January 1999).
The
R&A is most grateful for the level of co-operation that
it has received from manufactures during the period of its
research and intends to continue its policy of meaningful
consultation with manufacturers on this issue.
