USGA – Going To Have Their Hands Full!

Adams Testing Another New Driver

Looks like Adams Golf is testing another new driver…the Adams SpeedLine Classic Prototype 3458-D. And from what we hear the technology being incorporated will be similar to what we wrote about last week “Video of the Week” – TaylorMade Says…25-30 More Yards in Next 5 Years!

Which Got Us Thinking

In the article we referred to many of the new ways companies are going to be trying to get more distance without having to worry about all the USGA regulations. One of the ways many companies right now are exploring getting this distance is with HEAD SPEED (Aerodynamic Technology). They are trying to make driver heads more aerodynamic…which will result in some pretty dramatic changes in swing speeds. They are really looking hard at ways they can give you more distance and accuracy without the swing having to be altered.

But the USGA does not like that…because they are always trying to make it harder for manufacturers to produce clubs that make a golf ball go farther…but there is always a way around rules…like the saying goes “Rules were meant to be broken!” and golf companies are doing anything they can to come up with ways to break them.

No More Mr. Nice Guy (Says Golf Companies)

Recently the USGA said, “ok guys we are going to now allow you to do something that we recently said was a no-no”. They said, “you can now start to tinker around with adjusting clubs”. Which is why you are going to see so many adjusatble shafts and head combos this year. But… I think the reason they are doing this is because they are trying to get the manufacturers minds off distance and onto something else for a little while. But guess what…it’s too late!

Many companies in the industry have complained heavily about the USGA rulings in the past few years…and for good reason. A lot of these rulings have severely impacted their bottom lines…which they don’t take lightly…at all. The reason they don’t is because many of their designs can take up to 5 years to be produced (from start to finish) so many had to be scrapped.

(EXAMPLE: Your companies entire business plan was to develop drivers that would have passed USGA rulings at the time you designed them…but now it will not because of a new rule…so they say sorry you have to throw away all the ideas and money that was spent developing them…you wouldn’t be too happy…and neither were they.)

Because these companies went through this exact problem back when the USGA ruled on (COR and Head Size) a few years back.

USGA Gonna Have Hands Full!

So…if you are the owner of a major brand what would be your plan?

• Would you simply design your new driver and tell golfers, “Well it’s the same as last year…but you should still buy it” you know nobody would fall for that.
• Or would you try everything you could to skirt around the USGA and make a driver that actually did hit it farther and straighter but pushed the envelope a little?

The choice is obvious and that is why they are doing everything they can do get around all the USGA handcuffs.

It will be a rocky road these next 5 years for the USGA…I just do not see how the USGA is going to put out all the fires that are going to be coming there way. There are so many creative new ways companies are going to be using to get more distance that I do not see a way they can stop them. Mr. USGA you are going to have your hands full!

Related Articles:

– First Look: Adams Golf 2009 Lineup!

– Insider’s Look: Adams Golf 9015D & 9016D Drivers

– “How To Become A Golf Club Designer”

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