Question of the week [May 26 – June 1]: Do you believe golf clubs should be checked for conformity either before or after all professional tournaments?
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If the PGA’ of America's regulation of uniformity is so important, what are they going todo when they find non-conformity? The reason conformity is of little concern is the lack of enforcement and penalty. Without that who cares? Obviously not the players who feign "Who me?" or the club manufacturers.
If regulations on balls, wedges, drivers and pace of play are any indication, the people old enough to read this will be dead before it gets resolved.
To gain respect as a governing body, it must govern.
Pete Croppo
Bayfield, Ontario
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I believe players’ clubs should be tested prior to the start of each tournament with the following caveats: 1, results shall remain confidential; 2, ensure that the player doesn't replace their tested driver without the replacement club also being tested.
Steve Moore
Birmingham, Alabama
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Yes, all players clubs should be tested prior to playing in a tournament. It’s the only fair way for the players.
Chuck Dunlap
Lexington, South Carolina
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I vote yes.
Random checks do not ensure compliance with rules, making it less fair for those in compliance when rules breakers go undetected.
Albeit some rules of golf can be vague, so I’d suggest that penalties not be overly harsh for minor, sometimes unintended, infractions.
Bob Brown
Ocean Isle, North Carolina
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I don't think it's necessary to check all players' clubs at all tournaments. However, random checks should be made with enough frequency to keep the players on their toes. The players are professionals who are expected to call infractions on themselves, so their honesty about their clubs should be assumed.
Bob Norris
Cincinnati, Ohio
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On the PGA Tour, completion of play occurs when a winner has been declared and the purse has been distributed. It makes no sense to test equipment at that time.
Random testing on a monthly basis does make sense on Tuesday or Wednesday of tournament weeks. Demand that each player bring all of his equipment, including backup clubs. The equipment manufacturers are mandated to provide compliant clubs and putters. The players are responsible individuals who desire to be compliant.
Dennis Brissette
Banner Elk, North Carolina
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I do think clubs, balls and especially golfers should be tested after a win. Cheating has gone on and is still present with all sports, including referees. Where there is a dollar on the line everyone has a limit to be bought off.
Bill Moreau
Almonte, Ontario
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Regarding driver testing, do it after the event. Have each player turn in their driver as they walk off the 18th green. The top five or top 10, plus ties, are tested.
First failure? Loss of half of tournament winnings. Second? All tournament winnings. Third? Loss of card for a year.
The players would put the pressure on the manufacturers to ensure that their driver will pass the test and they won't try so hard to skirt the edge.
Harsh? Yes, but effective.
Mark Chatfield
Houston, Texas
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MORE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP AFTERTHOUGHTS
[QOTW, May 19-25: What were your impressions of the 2025 PGA Championship?]
I don’t know what it is, but the PGA Championship doesn’t feel like a major most years. Whether it’s the venue, the course setup, the operation, the media coverage, I'm not sure. It just feels like another PGA Tour stop, albeit an elevated event due to the purse.
Perhaps it’s time to consider The Players, which does feel like a major, to take its place.
Ron Ariana
Oak Brook, Illinois
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I thought it was a great tournament on a really tough, perfectly conditioned golf course that still provided scoring opportunities. It was a fun watch. I've been to a couple of tournament rounds there, so I have some familiarity with a lot of the course. But what struck me the most was how everyone folded on Sunday with the exception of one guy. Just think, a three-shot lead turned into a five-shot win with an even-par final round. Even someone as little noticed as J.T. Poston, with a clear shot at second place alone, finished bogey-bogey and cost himself approximately $800,000. Was the moment even too big for second place? It was for Jon Rahm.
Barry Duckworth
Knoxville, Tennessee
DATA OVERLOAD?
Why all the focus on player performance data? As a regular viewer of tournament golf, I could not care any less about the smothering stats that consume some broadcasts. Many of my friends also watch lots of TV golf and golf related content. No one ever mentions player performance data. Network coverage is flooded with useless data for most viewers. Maybe the networks should look back on their libraries of highly rated broadcasts to appreciate what a golf fan enjoys.Dan GorneyQueensbury, NY
Dan Gorney
Queensbury, New York
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Front: Golf bags stand idle on the fifth hole during a practice round at the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club's West Course.
Photo: Jeff Haynes | USGA via Golffile