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Intech Golf Illegal Non-Conforming Extra Long Distance Oversized Behemoth 520cc Driver. Also, the price is right, there were no drivers as interesting in this price range. As for accuracy, I can not judge. With my group of friends, we are so inconsistent that accuracy is always subjective. I like the name behemoth.
Have you ever heard golfers talking about 'illegal drivers' or 'non-conforming drivers'? What's that all about?
The short answer: The governing bodies of golf—the USGA and R&A—set parameters that golf clubs must meet in order to be 'legal' under the Rules of Golf. But just because a given driver doesn't meet those standards doesn't mean a manufacturer can't make it and sell it. It just means that such a driver doesn't conform to the Rules of Golf and, therefore, is not allowed for use in any rounds of golf played under the rules (tournament rounds and handicap rounds, for example).
Some manufacturers—most of which you've probably never heard of—do make 'illegal drivers' and sell them to the golfing public. But most golfers won't use such a driver because of the stigma of using a club that breaks the rules.
Where to Find the Lists of Conforming Drivers
Illegal Oversized Golf Drivers Test
The governing bodies of golf maintain lists of golf driver heads that conform to the Rules of Golf. (What many golfers think of as the non-conforming drivers list is actually called the conforming drivers list.)
The USGA's allows golfers to download the full list, sorted either by manufacturer or product; or to conduct a search. The R&A list is browsable and searchable. They contain the same information, just presented in different ways.
Any driver that appears on these lists is conforming, and, therefore, 'legal' to use under the Rules of Golfer. If you cannot find your driver on these lists, that probably means the driver is non-conforming and, therefore, cannot be used in tournament rounds or other rounds of golf played by the rules. If you cannot find your driver on the list, contact one of the governing bodies to inquire.
Why Drivers Are Called 'Conforming' or 'Non-Conforming'
According to Appendix II, section 4c of the Rules of Golf:
'The design, material and/or construction of, or any treatment to, the clubhead (which includes the club face) must not: (i) have the effect of a spring which exceeds the limit set forth in the Pendulum Test Protocol on file with the USGA/R&A, or (ii) incorporate features or technology, including, but not limited to separate springs or spring features, that have the intent of, or the effect of, unduly influencing the clubhead's spring effect, or (iii) unduly influence the movement of the ball.'
When golf equipment manufacturers design a new driver head, they submit it to the USGA and R&A for approval. The governing bodies run various tests to check the design and technical aspects and make sure the clubhead meets the requirements set forth in Appendix II. Those that do are added to the conforming drivers list. Best auto dealer software programs.
Those that don't? In most cases, a clubhead that fails the test is tweaked by a manufacturer until it does meet the requirements in Appendix II—until it is placed on the conforming list. At that point, the manufacturer goes into production with its new driver and the making-and-marketing process begins.
Most golf shops only sell conforming drivers because most manufacturers only make and market conforming drivers.
But some other companies, and, rarely, a major golf equipment brand, intentionally make non-conforming drivers. Why? Well, every golfer dreams of being able to bomb super-long drives. Those golfers who aren't bothered by the idea of playing an 'illegal' club might be willing to buy a driver that promises incredible forgiveness and distance, even if that driver doesn't meet the requirements in the Rules of Golf.
Most golfers won't: We don't want to be called rule-breakers—cheaters, even—by our peers. But some golfers will buy a non-conforming driver because, well, why not? They aren't playing in tournaments, they don't take the game super seriously, they just want to have fun and to play a driver that promises to help them hit it long and straight. And they aren't bothered by any looks or wisecracks their playing companions might give them.
The Most Common Reasons a Driver Is Non-Conforming
So what makes an 'illegal driver' non-conforming? There are many possible reasons, but two are most common.
- When a driver is unintentionally non-conforming: Occasionally, major golf brands will, in pushing up as close to the limits as possible, unintentionally go over the limits or otherwise fail to meet the equipment requirements that are set forth in the rule book. In this case, the culprit is usually characteristic time. CT, as it is abbreviated, is a measurement of the springiness of the clubface (a measurement of the spring-like effect, in other words). A manufacturer can unintentionally exceed the limit on CT, rendering a driver head non-conforming. Typically when that happens, the manufacturer will make tweaks to the clubhead design, correct the issue and re-submit the club for approval.
- When a driver is intentionally non-conforming: Those off-brand or niche companies that intentionally make and market non-conforming drivers don't bother submitting them to the USGA and R&A. They build them to be 'illegal,' after all. How? Typically, by making the clubheads larger than the rules allow. The Rules of Golf limit driver clubhead volume to 460cc. So a company that wants to make an 'illegal driver' will design a clubhead that is 500cc. Or 600cc. Or even 700cc. Huge, in other words. Way over the limits. Massive clubheads also create moment of inertia measurements far higher than are allowed by the rules.
Illegal drivers can create longer distance.
The United States Golf Association establishes the rules for golf, including the standards governing equipment. According to the association, golf drivers must conform to specific dimensions in terms of length, weight and head volume. Club materials are also restricted to avoid any undue advantage, such as an excessive spring effect.
Illegal drivers create increased swing speed and greater distance. While all clubs used during USGA events must comply with association guidelines, some manufacturers knowingly produce non-conforming drivers for amateur weekend golfers. Many major companies make club models that are on the USGA's list of non-conforming drivers.
Bridgestone
The Bridgestone Sports Co. manufactures numerous illegal drivers, including the Tourstage V800, which produces lofts of 9 degrees and 11 degrees. On its sole, the Tourstage V800 possesses a curved line and a triangle logo for identification purposes. The back of the club also has a circular weight insert.
Callaway
One of the biggest names in golf club manufacturing, Callaway caters to recreational golfers with a variety of non-conforming drivers from its Big Bertha and E.R.C. model lines. The Callaway Big Bertha 460 HT driver delivers a 13-degree loft.
The way to distinguish the illegal club from the conforming version is to inspect the “Big Bertha 460” logo on the club’s sole. The illegal version has a dash within the body of the “B” in “Big Bertha” and a dash and a dot in the “4” in “460.”
Diamond
Diamond Tour Golf produces several illegal drivers in its Grand Hawk, Pit Viper and Turner lines. The Diamond Pit Viper PV/427 hits lofts of 8, 9, 10 and 11 degrees. Six small circles etched into the sole identify the non-conforming club from its legal variations.
Mizuno
The Mizuno BlueFire driver delivers lofts of 8, 9, 10 and 11 degrees. The non-conforming model has “Mizuno BlueFire,” a line, and the model’s flame logo displayed on the club’s sole. Other Mizuno illegal drivers include the Grand Monarch Royal Cresta, Intage X3, JPX E300 and Presage Navigator.
Nike
The official equipment manufacturer for golf superstar Tiger Woods, Nike, makes illegal drivers such as the X-Face, Ignite and SQ. The Nike Ignite+460 leads the way, capable of yielding lofts of 9.5 and 10.5 degrees.
Examining the Ignite+460’s club face determines its legality. The non-conforming version of the driver has a small “460” etched into the top left corner of the face followed by a + sign. The legal Ignite+460 does not have the + sign.
Taylor Made
Taylor Made, another manufacturer with multiple non-conforming clubs, produces the R510 driver, which can create lofts of 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 degrees. Inspection of the club head will provide identification. The illegal Taylor Made R510 drivers have no etched score marks in the center of its club face.