Golf's ruling authorities are threatening to blacklist the most successful driver on the market, internationally and here in Ireland. Tests this month indicate that the Callaway Big Bertha may be in breach of regulations imposed by the Royal and Ancient and the US Golf Association.
It is alleged that the thin construction of the clubface causes it to act like a trampoline, creating a bounce effect which propels the ball at least 10 yards further. This is believed to be the conclusion of a special report currently being studied by the USGA.
"We don't want to stop the development of technology but at some time we must say it has reached a limit," said Michael Bonallack, secretary of the Royal and Ancient. "I don't want to preempt the research we have been carrying out for 12 months but it is clear that we cannot let manufacturers carry on as they have been. We have to call a halt somewhere."
Callaway had sales of $20 million in 1989, the year before the Big Bertha was launched, but reported a turnover of $842 million last year. Naturally, the company are keeping a close eye on developments.
Any problem with the club would affect a large number of golfers in this country. McGuirk's Golf in Howth, the largest outlet in the Republic, report annual sales of about 12,000 Callaway woods, mostly Big Bertha drivers. "I'm surprised by this news - I think they're a brilliant club," said John McGuirk, the resident professional at Howth GC.
The worldwide sales are estimated at 12 million at prices as high as £400 per club.
Earlier this month, 65 of America's leading amateur golfers were asked to hit shots with their own driver and then with one of the new-generation, big-headed clubs such as the Big Bertha. They found that the ball carried at least 10 yards further.
For professionals, however, the improvement is appreciably greater. Indeed a number of tournament players have reported increased distances of up to 30 yards by using such models as the Great Big Bertha and its titanium cousin, the Biggest Big Bertha.
By way of acknowledging this situation, several leading professionals, including Seve Ballesteros, Nick Price, Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus have asked the R and A to take action. They claim that their skills are being "neutralised" by the efficiency of the Big Bertha clubs.
"The trouble with these new drivers is they don't look like golf clubs at all," added Bonallack. "They resemble warheads rather than clubheads."
It is clear, however, that the R and A and the USGA will tread very warily before contemplating legal action. Ping, another major manufacturer, faced down similar threats to one of its popular clubs in 1989 with a $100 million lawsuit.
