US Open Champion Unveils Assertive Statement on Authenticity of Golf Club Testing: Real Drivers Rarely Provided to Testers.
In the latest round of golf industry chatter, ESPN-aired comments by pro golfer Lucas Glover added fuel to the fire regarding the fairness of driver testing on professional circuits. Glover insinuated that some players might bend the rules, claiming they dodge testing by submitting backup drivers instead of their primary equipment.
Glover made this assertion on the SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio show, stating, "Most guys don't give them their real driver anyway. They give them their backup just in case...No, it's true. And the testing is the way it is."
His comments come on the heels of high-profile incidents at the PGA Championship last year. Both Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler had drivers deemed non-conforming, forcing them to switch to backup clubs just days before the tournament.
When asked about the matter, Glover, whose driver passed testing during the PGA Championship week, likened golf clubs to snowflakes, stating, "There is nothing identical. To the point where, even the backups I travel with, I know it is not as good. If it was as good or better, I'd be hitting it."
In response to concerns about fairness and potential loopholes, the PGA Tour partners with the United States Golf Association (USGA), which establishes global standards for equipment compliance, including driver testing. During tournaments, a third of the field is randomly selected for driver testing. Drivers are tested for "spring-like effect," measuring the duration a ball stays on the clubface.
One of the keys to maintaining fairness is the confidentiality of test results. Players are asked to replace non-conforming drivers, yet are protected from public scrutiny. Despite occasional claims of loopholes, the system is designed to actively respond to trends and protect players from unnecessary accusations.
For Glover, a possible solution for improving fairness is universal driver testing for all Major events. He proposed this idea in early 2023, suggesting that all the organizations involved could pool resources to finance the process and ensure everyone is playing under the same rules.
Golf clubs and sports were discussed in relation to the concerns raised by pro golfer Lucas Glover about driver testing on professional circuits. Glover proposed that all Major events should implement universal driver testing to maintain fairness, as he believes this would help eliminate potential loopholes and ensure that all players are using equipment that conforms to global standards.
