The Final Rule on Spring-like Effect

On August 6th 2002 the USGA announced that it had made a final decision regarding the controversial and confusing proposal announced on May 9th.

The May proposal was seemingly formulated hurriedly and solely to mitigate tensions between the negotiating parties (USGA and R&A) in an effort to resolve a mounting and pressing problem.

The original conflict revolved around whether or not, a spring-like effect rule for driving clubs should be adopted. The USGA adopted a rule in 1998 to limit the spring-like effect, which produces more distance off driving clubs. The R&A continued to study the phenomenon and delayed in making a decision. Two years later it (R&A) decided not to adopt any rule, accepting the limiting laws of physics, to control this phenomenon. This difference between the governing bodies created a degree of disorder in a previously somewhat orderly system regarding international interpretation of equipment rules.

In an effort to resolve this conflict and find a compromise position, a proposal was announced on May 9th and comments regarding this proposal were requested. In an unusually democratic fashion (or maybe a matter of self preservation) after due consideration the May 9th proposal was rejected and modified resulting in the final rule adopted on August 6th 2002.

The essence of the announcement, ---- entitled " the final rule"---- is simply, "the status quo" i.e. no change to the existing USGA limit (COR max. of .830) adopted in 1998 for all golfers playing in territories under the USGA's jurisdiction. (See "COR Made Easy")

The R&A will enforce this .830 limit for the British Open in 2003 and beyond and also recommend that all professional tours worldwide follow suit. In the year 2008, however, the R&A will adopt the .830 limit for all other golfers under its jurisdiction returning to worldwide uniformity in the equipment rules.

This decision lends a degree of stability to the game when things were starting to look a little shaky.

Well done to both parties.

As a by-product of this conflict, a welcomed and long awaited "Statement of Principles" (Mission Statement) has been formulated as a guideline to help resolve issues, sticky or otherwise, in the future.

The game of golf is the long-term beneficiary of this development and resolution.

29th August 2002

For more on the USGA and R&A positions, check out their websites: www.usga.org or www.randa.org