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???