EQUIPMENT RULEMAKING PROCEDURES
VERSION 1.0
NOVEMBER 2011
This document describes the procedures to be used by the USGA and The R&A for
evaluating and implementing future golf equipment rule changes, as well as the processfor changing an associated test method or the introduction of new interpretative
guidelines.
It is hoped that these procedures will increase the transparency of the equipment
rulemaking process and facilitate the participation of manufacturers and other interested
parties in that process. In the event of unique circumstances or situations, theseprocedures may be subject to modification.
These procedures apply to the equipment-related Rules only. They are not intended tobe part of the process of changing any other Rule of Golf. They are subject to ongoing
review and modification.

Number Procedure
1Publication of Research Projects

1.1

The USGA and The R&A will publish information in a timely manner onresearch topics which they believe have a reasonable chance of resulting inan equipment Rule change proposal, or a change in test equipment or test
method. Other types of research, such as academic research sponsored byeither the USGA or The R&A (or both) or analysis of performance statistics,
may also be published.

1.2

Where applicable, the information provided will include a description of theresearch and the reason why the research was conducted. Additional project
details will be disclosed by the USGA and The R&A as they determine to beappropriate.

1.3

Manufacturers may be invited to participate in the research, offer commentsand opinions on the research and recommendations about how it wasconducted, and share research that they have conducted themselves.

1.4

The publication of any such information will take potential marketplace
disruption into consideration.

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2Publication of Comments Received

2.1

Comments which are provided to the USGA and The R&A in response to a
proposed Rule change, including the identification of the source of thecomments, will be published on the respective websites of the USGA andThe R&A.

2.2

Appropriate controls will be in place to prevent comments from being
published without the submitter’s permission. Submitters will be asked toinclude a completed permission form with their comments either:
2.2.1 Giving permission for the comments to be published verbatim; or2.2.2 Giving permission for publication of a modified version of theircomments, which redacts any sensitive and/or proprietaryinformation. The submitter would be required to provide themodified document for publication. The contents of the modified
document, however, must be substantially similar to the nonpublished version; or2.2.3 Withholding permission for the comments to be published.

2.3

The USGA and The R&A will consider all comments equally, whether or not
the submitter gives permission for the comments to be published.
Inappropriate comments, or comments received from anonymous sources,will not be published.

2.4

Published comments will be available on the USGA and R&A websites for alimited period.

3.

Publication of the Details of Individual Submission Rulings

3.1

Details of individual submissions will not generally be published. They willremain confidential information between the submitter and the USGA and/or
The R&A. However, there may be instances when such a decision represents
a new precedent or a modification to, or a clarification of, an interpretation ofthe Rules.

3.2

Information regarding the application of a new interpretation may be
published if either of the following conditions is met:
3.2.1. The USGA and The R&A consider the Rule interpretation to beprecedent-setting or a change to a previous interpretation of theRules.
3.2.2. The USGA and The R&A believe that the interpretation is likely tobe beneficial to others in terms of understanding what is and is not
permitted under the Rules.

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3.3

Where appropriate, the USGA and The R&A will discuss the timing of anotice regarding the new or revised interpretation with the submitter(s) prior
to its publication.

3.4

Depending on the specific situation, the information may be published on therespective websites of the USGA and The R&A and/or via a Notice toManufacturers. In addition, it will also be included in the next updated
version of the Guidebook.

4.

Provisions to Facilitate the Transition to Newly Adopted Rules

4.1

The USGA and The R&A will endeavor to avoid implementing any
stipulations on the commercial activities of manufacturers and/or retailers
when adopting new equipment Rules or interpretations. However, in theevent of an extraordinary Rule change or unusual circumstances, the USGA
and The R&A will consider whether invoking stipulations involving someaspects of equipment sales and/or manufacturing would be called for.

4.2

In the event that the USGA and The R&A believe that such stipulations arenecessary, a Notice stating the reason(s) for the proposed stipulations will beprovided to interested parties. Comments from manufacturers will berequested and the USGA and The R&A will discuss and consider thefeedback provided by submitters. Any significant subsequent changes to thestipulations arising out of comments received will result in an additional
Notice and Comment cycle before a decision is finalized.

5.

Process for Implementation of Rule Change5.1

Equipment Rule changes can vary quite significantly in terms of degree andimpact, so the implementation process will be tailored to the nature of each
proposal. Examples of different types of Rule changes include:
5.1.1.

Rule changes that do not change the conformance status ofprevious submissions.

5.1.2.

Rule changes that may result in previously conforming equipment
becoming non-conforming.

5.1.3.

Rule changes that represent a relaxation of the existing rule.

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5.2

The USGA and The R&A continually conduct various types of researchconcerning golf equipment. When a research topic has the potential to resultin an equipment Rule change, an “Area of Interest” Notice will be publishedby the USGA and The R&A. Subsequently, and where applicable, the USGA
and The R&A will publish any research which has been conducted and invite
manufacturers, other involved entities and additional interested parties tocomment and participate in the research (as discussed in Section 1.
“Publication of Research Projects”).

5.3

Based on the research conducted and the comments received, if the USGA
and The R&A subsequently decide to propose an equipment Rule change, aproposal will be published via a Notice and Comment process that may
include some or all the following items, as appropriate:
5.3.1
5.3.2
5.3.3
5.3.4

An explanation of the perceived problem.
A description of the goals of implementing the Rule change.
Consideration of the effects of the Rule change.
Any additional research conducted subsequent to the “Area ofInterest” Notice supporting the Rule change.
5.3.5 A description of the Rule change.
5.3.6 Where applicable, a description of the equipment and procedures
used to determine conformance to the Rule.
5.3.7 A proposed implementation plan.
5.3.8 An appropriate time for comments.
5.3.9 If another recent equipment Rule or Rule change has the potential
to simultaneously impact the goal of a new equipment Rule orRule change, this impact will be identified and evaluated.
5.3.10 Other items as relevant.
5.4

Throughout the process, manufacturers will be invited to offer their comments
and opinions on proposed equipment Rule changes, including information
relevant to past changes. After publication of the proposal, a forum on theproposed Rule change may be conducted by the USGA and The R&A.

5.5

The comments received, including those written and those received at aforum, if one is held, will be evaluated by the USGA and The R&A. Thisevaluation may lead to additional research being conducted by the USGA
and The R&A and/or changes to the proposed Rule change. Writtencomments that meet the requirements for publication as discussed in Section
2, “Publication of Comments Received”, will be published on the USGA andThe R&A websites.

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5.6

Once all comments have been received and considered, a final decision
regarding the proposed Rule change may be made by the USGA and The
R&A. This decision would be published in a timely manner. However, if
substantive changes have been made to the original proposal, a subsequent
Notice will be issued by the USGA and The R&A for further comment, if they
deem it appropriate to do so. After any further comments have been
received and evaluated, a final decision regarding the proposed Rule change
will be made by the USGA and The R&A.

6.

Process for Implementation of Change in Test Equipment or Methods

6.1

The USGA and The R&A continually investigate improvements to test
equipment and methodologies. Generally, the objectives for a change totesting equipment will include:
6.1.1.

The establishment of objective criteria that are measurable using
protocols that are reasonable to perform in terms of expertise, timeand cost, and that result in data that is reliable, repeatable and thatsatisfies any relevant correlations; and6.1.2.

A preference for the use of a single testing method for bothrulemaking bodies; and6.1.3

A preference for protocols that can be performed in the field.

6.2

If the USGA and The R&A believe that an investigation may potentially leadto a significant change in the current test equipment or method used formeasuring a specific parameter, an “Area of Interest” Notice will be publishedto equipment manufacturers. This Notice will include reasons for conducting
the research and a description of the research. Manufacturers will be invited
to provide their comments or share their own research regarding the existing
test method or alternative test methods. If applicable, the USGA and The
R&A will publish test equipment research updates and invite comments in atimely manner as they are developed.

6.3

After completion of the research and evaluation of any comments or research
provided by equipment manufacturers, the USGA and The R&A will make adecision about proposing any improved or different test equipment ormethod. If it is decided to propose an improved or different test equipment ormethod, a proposal will be published and comments requested. A decision
not to proceed with any change, or to delay a decision, will also becommunicated.

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6.4

A proposed test equipment change may include some or all of the following,
as appropriate:6.4.1. A description of the test equipment/method change.
6.4.2. An explanation of why the equipment/method change isappropriate.
6.4.3. A description of the goal of implementing the equipment/methodchange.
6.4.4. Research supporting the need/benefit of the equipment/methodchange.
6.4.5. A proposed implementation plan.
6.4.6. An appropriate time for comments to be provided.

6.5

All comments received will be considered, and where permission has been
given (as discussed in Section 2, “Publication of Comments”), the comments
will be published. Comments may include information regarding researchcarried out by manufacturers, opinions about the need for theequipment/method change, potential effects on the game, the industry, andthe individual company, potential alternative means, and any otherinformation as deemed appropriate by the submitter.

6.6

It is possible that the comments may result in additional research being
conducted by the USGA and The R&A. If so, this research will be published.
It is also possible that the comments and further research may result inchanges to the original proposal and/or to the implementation plan. If suchchanges are considered by the USGA and The R&A to be significant, arevised proposal will be published with an appropriate amount of time
provided for further comments to be received.

6.7

Once all comments have been received and considered, a final decision
regarding the proposed test equipment/method and implementation plan will
be made by the USGA and The R&A and published in a timely manner.

7

Protection of the Purpose and Intent of the Rules

7.1

The USGA and The R&A are responsible for identifying the purpose andintent of the Rules and any Rule changes. If current Rules language isconsidered to allow circumvention of the intent or purpose of a Rule or Rulechange, the USGA and The R&A will continue to apply the following clauses,
as stated in the Rules of Golf, when necessary.
7.1.1. The USGA and The R&A “reserves the right, at any time, tochange the Rules relating to clubs and balls and make or change
the interpretations of these Rules.”Page 6 of 77.1.2. “Any design in a club or ball which is not covered by the Rules,
which is contrary to the purpose and intent of the Rules, or whichmight significantly change the nature of the game, will be ruled on”
by the USGA and The R&A.

7.2

The USGA and The R&A will use the authority granted by these clauses tomake, interpret, and enforce the equipment Rules in an equitable andpragmatic manner. In the absence of such clauses, the equipment Rules
would, by necessity to protect the game, become significantly more detailed
and more prescriptive in nature.

7.3

To minimize the effect of the application of these clauses on a manufacturer’s
development process of any new product concepts and/or prototypes,manufacturers are encouraged to consult with the USGA and/or The R&A
early in their development process.

7.4

If it is determined that a particular feature or concept does not meet the intent
or purpose of the Rules of Golf, or a specific provision within the Rules ofGolf, the USGA and/or The R&A will contact the manufacturer and discuss
the decision, including an explanation of why the feature or concept does notmeet the intent or purpose of the Rules of Golf or a specific provision within
the Rules of Golf. Where applicable, supporting research or test results will
be provided to the manufacturer by the USGA and/or The R&A. The USGA
and/or The R&A will provide the manufacturer with a reasonable time period
within which to provide comments. Any such comments will be considered
and the matter will be further discussed with the manufacturer. The USGA
and/or The R&A will make a final decision regarding the submission and themanufacturer will be notified accordingly.

7.5

The USGA and The R&A may consider making a subsequent change to theequipment Rules or publish material interpretations to make sure that thepurpose and intent of the Rules is maintained. Any such change to the Rules
or interpretations would be published in accordance with the establishedprocedures (see Section 3 “Publication of Individual Rulings” and Section 5“Process for Implementing a Rule Change”).

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