FORE Magazine

Top Menu

  • About Me
  • Contact Us
  • Home

Main Menu

  • Current Issue
  • Digital Book
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login

logo

FORE Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Digital Book
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
Know the RulesSummer 2021
Home›Know the Rules›20 Things You Didn’t Know About Golf Equipment

20 Things You Didn’t Know About Golf Equipment

By Jimmy Becker
July 22, 2021
3890
0
Share:

Over time, and with the advances of modern technology, golf equipment has dramatically changed. Whether it’s the ball, club, grip, shaft or any other piece of golf gear, many rules and considerations apply to each, and these are often unknown or unclear to many golfers. Here are some fun golf equipment rules and facts:

CLUBS & SHAFTS

▪During a round, the performance characteristics of a club must not be purposely changed by adjustment or by another means (Rule 4.1a (3)).

▪ The minimum length of a club must be 18 inches and, except for putters, must not exceed 48 inches.

▪The first steel shaft was invented in 1925.

▪The shaft on a club must twist the same amount in both directions.

▪Although the maximum number of clubs to be used in a round is 14, a player can start the round with fewer than 14 and add clubs during the round, up to the 14-club limit.

CLUBHEAD

▪The first clubhead made of iron was designed around 1750.

▪The persimmon wood first appeared around 1900.

▪Holes through the head are not permitted on wood heads.

▪The volume of the clubhead must not exceed 460 cc (cubic centimeters).

▪Only one striking face is allowed on a clubhead, except that a putter may have two striking faces if all the characteristics are the same (i.e. bullseye putter).

▪There is a conforming driver-head list that is updated every Monday by The R&A and USGA.

GRIPS

▪Grips must be straight and plain in form and fixed to the shaft.

▪Two separate grips may be installed only on a putter, provided each is circular in cross section and separated by 1.5 inches.

▪Resin or other drying agents can be used to assist in gripping the club.

▪A player can even wrap a towel or handkerchief around the grip and make a stroke with it.

BALLS

▪The first golf ball, made of wood, appeared in the 14th century, a more modern ball, constructed with a rubber core, appeared around the turn of the 20th century.

▪ The weight of a golf ball must not exceed 1.62 oz., and a ball cannot be bigger than 1.68 inches in diameter.

▪Substances such as chapstick or Vaseline cannot be applied to the ball to reduce spin.

▪Just like driver heads, The R&A and USGA have a conforming ball list, which is updated before the first Wednesday of every month.

TEES

▪ Cannot be longer than 4 inches or designed or manufactured in a way that influences play.

Previous Article

Desert Delight at Desert Willow

Next Article

Supporting Junior Golf in Perpetuity

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Jimmy Becker

Jimmy's career in golf administration began in 2004 as an intern with the SCGA and spent some time at the NCGA from 2005-2011. Since rejoining the SCGA in 2011, he helps administer SCGA, CGA and USGA qualifiers/championships, and is featured in the Rules Crew video series, teaching the Rules of Golf to SCGA members and its clubs. He is also in charge of the site procurement process for the Championships & Golf Operations department along with managing the exemption and Player of the Year programs. He has served as a Rules Official at numerous USGA National Championships and has achieved the highest level of rating on the PGA/USGA Rules Exam. A native Southern Californian, in his free time he enjoys hanging out with friends, playing sports and going to the beach.

Related articles More from author

  • Core MissionIn The ClubhouseKnow the RulesWinter 2025

    Embedded Ball

    January 27, 2025
    By Jimmy Becker
  • Fall 2018Know the Rules

    Modernizing The Rules: Behind-the-Scenes

    October 22, 2018
    By Jeff Ninnemann
  • Know the RulesSpring 2024

    Penalties: Not Just For Football!

    May 6, 2024
    By Jimmy Becker
  • new rules
    Know the RulesWinter 2016

    New Year, New Rules: Get Familiar with the Changes Before They Cost You Strokes

    January 1, 2016
    By Jimmy Becker
  • Know the RulesSpring 2022

    The Provisional Ball: What? How? When?

    April 21, 2022
    By Jimmy Becker
  • State of the GameSummer 2021

    State of the Game: The Next King of Golf?

    July 22, 2021
    By Gary Van Sickle

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Recent Posts

  • At The TurnFeaturedSpring 2025Travel

    Irish Ayes

  • At The TurnFeaturedSCGA JuniorSpring 2025

    Mr. & Mrs. Porter

  • Core MissionFeaturedKnow the RulesWinter 2024

    Match Play Madness

  • FeaturedIn The ClubhousePublic AffairsSpring 2025

    Doing More With Less

  • FeaturedOn The TeeSpring 2025Sustainability

    More Green, Less Grass

FeaturedIn The ClubhouseSpring 2025

John Henebry

A Personal Remembrance Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. A ballroom at Desert IslandCC in the Coachella Valley pocket of Rancho Mirage. The “Celebration of Life” for my dear friend, my colleague, ...
  • Fun & Games

    By Kevin O'Connor
    May 15, 2025
  • Rule 25

    By Jimmy Becker
    May 15, 2025
  • Doing More With Less

    By Kevin Fitzgerald
    May 15, 2025
  • Original Wonder Woman

    By Joe Passov
    May 15, 2025
© 2016 FORE Magazine About Us | Contact Us | Advertise