FORE Magazine

Top Menu

  • About Me
  • Contact Us
  • Home

Main Menu

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

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login

logo

FORE Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
  • scga.org
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
2298
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

  • Fall 2022Know the Rules

    Cut! Rulings Hollywood Got Wrong

    October 25, 2022
    By Jeff Ninnemann
  • Handicap HintsSummer 2021

    When Time Is of the Essence: What to Do When You Can’t Finish

    July 16, 2021
    By Kevin O'Connor
  • ProfilesSummer 2021

    Golfing with Whales: Marina Choi

    July 22, 2021
    By Judd Spicer
  • Fall 2018Know the Rules

    Modernizing The Rules: Behind-the-Scenes

    October 22, 2018
    By Jeff Ninnemann
  • Know the RulesSpring 2021

    Famous Rulings at Torrey Pines

    April 26, 2021
    By Jimmy Becker
  • FeaturedKnow the RulesSummer 2023

    Beached, But Not Trapped: If an Entire Rule is Dedicated to one Area of the Course, you Know it Must ...

    July 21, 2023
    By Jimmy Becker

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Recent Posts

  • 19th HoleFeaturedSummer 2023

    Not Your Average 19th Hole: Grab a Slice and Hit One too, at The Golf Bar

  • FeaturedState of the GameSummer 2023

    In The Name of Distance: The Great Golf Ball Rollback Controversy

  • FeaturedHandicap HintsSummer 2023

    Handicap Index Calculation

  • FeaturedFirst CutSummer 2023

    FORE Her Is For Him, Too: Time to Get In On The Fun!

  • FeaturedKnow the RulesSummer 2023

    Beached, But Not Trapped: If an Entire Rule is Dedicated to one Area of the Course, you Know it Must be Important

FeaturedSummer 2023

Recommended Reading: Course Knowledge

Ever redesign a golf hole in your mind? Pontificate to friends about how you would reposition some pesky bunkers? Or maybe think to yourself, ‘Man, what was (insert designer’s name) ...
  • This Game Belongs To You

    By Adam Hawk
    August 7, 2023
  • Only A Game? So Why am I So Damn Mad When I Play?

    By David Weiss
    July 21, 2023
  • Handicap Index Calculation

    By Kevin O'Connor
    July 21, 2023
  • Beached, But Not Trapped: If an Entire Rule is Dedicated to one Area of the Course, you Know it Must be Important

    By Jimmy Becker
    July 21, 2023
© 2016 FORE Magazine About Us | Contact Us | Advertise