The USGA Will Not Modify Driver Tests at Schauffele’s Request
In the midst of growing concerns about the legality of drivers used in professional golf, United States Golf Association (USGA) CEO Mike Whan has confirmed that no changes will be implemented in the way drivers are tested. This decision comes despite suggestions from prominent golf figures, such as Xander Schauffele, who requested a more thorough review of drivers before the tournaments. The topic of driver testing has gained relevance following last month’s PGA Championship, where Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy’s drivers were declared non-conforming. I know that if we saw an alarming trend in terms of how many or how far they were moving beyond the permitted limits, we would change the way we approach it,” Whan declared at a press conference at Oakmont Country Club. When he explained that the USGA tests drivers at this week’s U.S. Open, but did not reveal how many were deemed non-conforming. The results of these tests are kept confidential. The USGA tests evaluate the characteristic time of a driver, which measures the time the ball remains on the clubface. If the ball is on the driver’s face for more than 257 microseconds, the club is considered too flexible and non-conforming.The flexibility of the driver’s face increases with use. Scheffler, who earned his third major victory at the PGA Championship, was aware that his driver was close to being non-conforming due to its prolonged use. According to Whan, PGA Tour golfers’ drivers are tested two or three times per season, and the USGA tests around 30 drivers at each tournament.Think of a child jumping on a trampoline, and the longer they are on the trampoline, the further they will bounce”, explained Whan. “So we set a limit with the manufacturers on how long the ball can stay on the face. There is a test, there is a tolerance, but at the end of the day, if it stays there for more than [257] microseconds, we consider that club to be out of tolerance.
Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA
In last month’s Memorial Tournament, Schauffele expressed his opinion on driver testing. Lucas Glover suggested that some golfers don’t submit to the USGA the drivers they will actually use in the competition. When he declared that 90% of the drivers provided in the practice facilities during the tests are used on the first tee.We believe the tests we are conducting are proportional to the degree of failure we see, which is quite minimal,” Whan stated. “Frankly, when we see failures, at least currently, we see sticks that just approach the line. We are not seeing drivers that say: ‘Oh, my God, look where that went’.
Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA
As a rules body, if we had concerns about this incredible advantage, we would change the degree to which we conduct testing,” Whan concluded. “But we believe that the testing we are doing now is proportional to both the size of the problem and the reality of the problem.
Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA
