Non-Conforming Golf Balls???

The USGA has instituted a lot of rules for the game of golf. Not only do they have rules, they have decisions on those rules. I guess that's why golf is a lot like life.

Anyway, the USGA has a conforming driver and a conforming ball list. A lot of people know about the conforming driver list with COR still being a hot topic and widely debated. But, did you know that there is a conforming ball list as well?

There are 5 categories with which balls are tested under to be deemed conforming or non-conforming:

• Weight
• Size
• Spherical Symmetry
• Initial Velocity
• Overall Distance

Weight is the key issue these days with a couple of golf ball manufacturers asking the USGA to take certain balls of the conforming list because they were over weight. Not ALL of them, but less than 1% produced. This speaks very highly of those manufacturers who are keeping with the integrity of the game. The weight of the golf ball can not exceed 1.620 ounces. The ball can be as light as the manufacturer wants it, but not heavier than 1.620 ounces.

The USGA and R&A have different ideas on golf ball size as well. To be conforming by USGA standards, the golf ball can not exceed 1.680 inches in diameter. The R&A uses a smaller diameter for their rules. The golf ball can be as large as a manufacturer wants it to be, but it can not exceed the weight limitation.

The golf ball must be round/symmetrical/spherical etc, etc.

The initial velocity of the ball can not exceed certain limits and the overall distance of the ball can not exceed certain distances.

So, how does one find out if their ball is conforming or not? You must go to the USGA web site and click on "equipment". There you will see a link to their "conforming golf ball list". I would imagine that anyone playing in the U.S. will NOT have a problem with their golf ball being non-conforming, but you never know. The way to tell is to input your golf ball markings and wait for the results. Pay attention to EVERYTHING the list tells you about your golf ball. Do you have different markings than what the list says you should have? Then you may, MAY have a non-conforming golf ball.

Recently, two manufacturers (who shall remain nameless here) had issues with a certain percentage of their balls being over weight. Hence, the USGA removed them from the conforming golf ball list. That means nothing for the average player who uses one of those balls to post a handicap or plays in a small golf event. Remember, it was only less than 1% made so the chances of getting a non-conforming golf ball is slim to none. It gets a little quirky for the professional though.

If a professional was to play one of these "non-conforming" golf balls in a tournament, it would be up to the person bringing it to the attention of rules officials to see if the ball was illegal for play. In other words, the burden of proof is on the accuser NOT the accusee. And, how would they determine that? With a scale? Is the scale calibrated to USGA standards? Blah, Blah, Blah! The tour players don't need to worry about it as I am sure there stock of golf ball was replaced even before the general public got wind of this news. The local professional playing in section events probably won't get DQ'd for using it. But, I am sure it can and will cause some sort of hair raising adventure on the links somewhere in the world.

After reading this, I am sure there will be a few of you out there who go to the list and find out that the ball you currently play is not on the conforming ball list. Don't worry about it! There is no need to rush back into the retail store or pro shop where you bought them and demand a refund.

Remember, it is up to who accuses you of using a non-conforming ball to prove their case! I mean, who carries around a golf ball scale with them???

Callaway Tour i Golf Ball

For a first here on Golf Club Reviews we will be reviewing a golf ball. It never dawned on me until just now to do a review on a golf ball. So, why do one now? Well, everyone focus' on the latest and greatest drivers, irons, hybrids and putters from everyone so why not review the one most important piece of equipment we have... THE BALL!!!

The first time I saw the new Callaway ball being played I had to stop and ask my playing partner what he was hitting. He said it was the Callaway ix. I couldn't believe it, that ball was long! I bought a sleeve and went at it. Well, it was long alright, but green side control was lacking. Callaway then introduced the plain "i".

The i is supposed to be a replacement for the HX 56 tour ball. I loved the HX 56! It was long off the tee, spun when it was ordered to and the cover held up under hard wedge shots. Very hard to improve on the HX. Or so I thought.

The new i is a 4 piece, urethane covered, dual core ball. The inner core is designed for long drives. The outer core has tungsten in the mix so it reduces driver spin but excites the ball speed off the club face. The mantle, once again, reduces unwanted side spin for longer, straighter drives. And, of course, the urethane cover is soft for green side control. The i still carries the new tradition of hexagonal dimples within a seem less design. Several of these hex dimples are sunken even further to stabilize the core of the golf ball so it will roll true.

Off I went to play the new i ball. This ball does everything it says it will! I am a good driver of the golf ball so I really didn't notice any unwanted spin. The ball flew straight and true even into crosswinds and headwinds. It is a very stable ball. The check onto the greens with all irons was that reminiscent of a Pro V-1x. The ball hit and stayed put with no unwanted back spin or top spin. Chip and checks were a breeze with this ball. It really wants to "Suck soil!" And the feel off the putter face was no different than that of its predecessor the HX 56.

Callaway has done it again when it comes to their Tour i line of golf balls. I have no complaints about this ball what so ever. Well, maybe just one complaint, it doesn't like my putting stroke.