« All Grooves Aside, USGA Rules On Fashion Too »

The USGA has had more than their share of not so positive press of late as PGA Tour players hit ebay hard in search of retro Ping wedges in an attempt to avoid the indignity of wedging with an inferior v-groove, which apparently has something to do with your grandfather losing a bet to Lee Trevino in a bar in the Republic of Upper Volta.

Time to get over it lads. If the USGA had grandfathered in a frying pan some dudes would put it in play.

Now that Chapeau Noir has put that controversy to bed for everyone involved, on to more important USGA related matters.

Shoes & Gloves Are Equipment Too

With the emergence of some unique new glove and shoe companies in the past year like Asher and Kikkor, it is important for us to remember that designing a unique product that will differentiate itself enough from the big boys on the block to be noticed is only half the story.

The other half of the story lies with the equipment testing department of the USGA, where both gloves and shoes (along with tees and other 'artificial devices' - see Rule 14-3) are considered to be a part of a player's equipment, and therefore subject to the same testing and approval procedures as any wedge would (sic).

Any use in competition of a glove or shoe that has not passed USGA inspection could be risky business. For example, the grip that a new glove might provide or the stance that a new shoe might built could provide a player with what could be deemed as an unfair advantage, and therefore may be grounds for disqualification in any sanctioned competition, which would certainly impact the marketability of the product to the golf world.

So, for any glove or shoe company out there bringing a new product to market they must consider the USGA a necessary part of the product development process.

This is likely the best $50 they'll ever spend.