Further to the announcement of 6th August concerning the decision to regulate the “spring-like” effect of driving clubs, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has confirmed the introduction of a Condition of Competition limiting the Coefficient of Restitution (“COR”) of driving clubs to 0.830 for the 2003 Open Golf Championship.
This condition, which will be clearly stated in the entry form and the conditions of competition, will apply to all stages of next year’s Open Championship, including the regional and final qualifying competitions. The wording of the new condition is set out below.
Of equal significance, however, is the R&A’s decision not to introduce such a condition at any of its amateur events in 2003. Therefore, there will be no ‘spring-like’ effect test or COR limit at The Amateur Championship, The Seniors Open Amateur Championship, The British Mid-Amateur Championship and The Boys Amateur Championship and R&A run international amateur team matches: The Boys Home Internationals, The Jacques Leglise Trophy and The Walker Cup. This matter will be kept under review for later years.
Commenting on the announcement Peter Dawson, Secretary of the R&A said, “The decision to introduce the COR limit on driving clubs at next year’s Open Championship is an important step towards achieving a return to uniformity in the equipment Rules at the highest level.
“However, such a limit is not thought to be appropriate at this time for our amateur events, particularly in the absence of a simplified portable test.”
New Condition of Competition:
“Driving Club
Driving clubs with a loft of 15 degrees or less must not have a coefficient of restitution greater than 0.830 when measured on apparatus approved by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews – see also Appendix II, 5a of the Rules of Golf.
Penalty for Breach of Condition – Disqualification.”
Royal and Ancient Golf Club www.RandA.org