Golf

Is your golf ball legal? Chances are pretty good your golf ball is totally legal.
When would you ever want or be able to use an illegal golf ball?
If you are not playing on tour or in any tournament you can use an illegal golf ball. The benefit of this is a longer drive. It is sort of like if you played ping pong with a super ball. The ball is going to really bounce but if you can’t control it you still might not do very well.
What are the parameters that make a golf ball illegal, and just who decides?
Since 1979 the USGA(United States Golf Association) has set the specifications regarding a legal golf balls weight, size and velocity. A legal ball must have a minimum size requirement of 1.68 inches in diameter and a maximum weight of 1.62 ounces. The balls velocity requirement can not to exceed 250 feet per second. An illegal golf ball will not conform to these specifications. Any golf balls that don’t meet these requirements are banned from play in any tournament.
Even though a golf ball is banned or listed as illegal it can still be used by Joe and Jane Golfer. (Ladies if you are playing with the guys …this is a great opportunity to raise some eyebrows.) This means that the general public can use them on any course, however are you really doing yourself a favor? You will have a great drive, and possibly get to the green with one less shot, but that is where you will find the problems may start for your game. Just like the super ball with ping pong, you will most likely have less control, feel and around the green.
For most golfers that I know working on improving your game is is part of the whole allure. If you are using a ball that is not going to let you accurately measure your skills then it is just in my opinion all for naught.
There are very few people that will ever drive like John Daly, or Anika Sorenstine, however as most people know if you can’t put and chip well you might as well just follow along and be a spectator.
Some of these golf balls have names that will give away their legality. For example Bandit, Desperado, used for extra distance of about 20 to 30 yards, and Polara a self correcting anti slice ball, are all illegal golf balls. Just remember these balls are all designed to go farther faster, and your control on the green will be significantly lost, it will feel like you are playing on ice..great for hockey but not so good for the delicate job of putting in golf.

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