Are chippers allowed in official tournaments?

I have been thinking about buying a chipper to help me in my short game. But are they allowed in tournaments? I am thinking about entering them in the future but don't want to waste my money if I wouldn't be allowed to use them.

doug

Honestly, I don't know... as I wouldn't consider one. Something says they are no different then wedges with sharp box grooves; illegal for USGA amateur event, but OK for local tournaments, unless otherwise stipulated.

With all due respect, I think if you are good enough to play tournaments you shouldn't need a "chipper."

They are not allowed IF they have a dual face, other than that most of them are allowed. Specially the Cleveland and Odyssey ones (groove rules still apply).

There's already a chipper in your bag! It's called an 8 iron. Hit the practice green and thank me later.

[quote name='lukesmurf59' timestamp='1338851635' post='5030508']
With all due respect, I think if you are good enough to play tournaments you shouldn't need a "chipper."
[/quote]

Not true at all. That's why the handicap system was developed, so people of varying skill levels can compete equitably.

Yes, they are legal as long as

1.) they don't have two faces (front and back).

and

2.) they have a round iron-like grip instead of a flat putter-like grip.

[quote name='QWKDTSN' timestamp='1338852798' post='5030598']
There's already a chipper in your bag! It's called an 8 iron. Hit the practice green and thank me later.
[/quote]


+1

[quote name='AGBear' timestamp='1338865056' post='5031858']
[quote name='QWKDTSN' timestamp='1338852798' post='5030598']
There's already a chipper in your bag! It's called an 8 iron. Hit the practice green and thank me later.
[/quote]


+1
[/quote]


Beat me to it!

Far as I know if the clubs meet USGA conformity rules you can carry anything you like. 14 2 irons or 14..., or a chipper.
I'd go with the OPs 7-PW works really well, frees a space. Your call.

[quote name='AGBear' timestamp='1338865056' post='5031858']
[quote name='QWKDTSN' timestamp='1338852798' post='5030598']
There's already a chipper in your bag! It's called an 8 iron. Hit the practice green and thank me later.
[/quote]


+1
[/quote]

+2

[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1338853858' post='5030680']
[quote name='lukesmurf59' timestamp='1338851635' post='5030508']
With all due respect, I think if you are good enough to play tournaments you shouldn't need a "chipper."
[/quote]

Not true at all. That's why the handicap system was developed, so people of varying skill levels can compete equitably.
[/quote]

Reason I don't like playing in "net" stroke tournaments. I hate giving anyone "X" # of "perfect" strokes. Can't figure out why giving strokes brings to mind entitlements, but that's aother topic. Executing perfect strokes and recovering from bad one's is decidedly different then handing someone "X" number of perfect strokes; course, it does make one focus. Also reason when I am playing against better golfers, I opt to play to scratch.

Thanks for all the input. I appreciate you guys taking the time to answer my question.

Doug

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1338914131' post='5034754']
[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1338853858' post='5030680']
[quote name='lukesmurf59' timestamp='1338851635' post='5030508']
With all due respect, I think if you are good enough to play tournaments you shouldn't need a "chipper."
[/quote]

Not true at all. That's why the handicap system was developed, so people of varying skill levels can compete equitably.
[/quote]

Reason I don't like playing in "net" stroke tournaments. I hate giving anyone "X" # of "perfect" strokes. Can't figure out why giving strokes brings to mind entitlements, but that's aother topic. Executing perfect strokes and recovering from bad one's is decidedly different then handing someone "X" number of perfect strokes; course, it does make one focus. Also reason when I am playing against better golfers, I opt to play to scratch.
[/quote]

Nothing wrong at all with that attitude but it doesn't make for 'fun' competition for most golfers and that's what I think most golfers want - to have fun. With my skill level (~13 index) it wouldn't be any fun to compete scratch against a low HC player or for that matter, even though I would probably win, it wouldn't be any more fun to compete gross against a 20 HC'r. If you're really interested in testing your skill against others, scratch/gross is the definately the way to go. However, for me, it's more about competing against myself, with a more formal competitive setting adding additional mental pressures that may not be present in a more casual round. It's not really about 'free' strokes, its about seeing if I can do better againt my 'average' than the other golfers against his/hers.

It's also not uncommon for clubs to arrange 'flighted' competitions which give no strokes but put players of similar skill level together.

[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1338915603' post='5034920']
Nothing wrong at all with that attitude but it doesn't make for 'fun' competition for most golfers and that's what I think most golfers want - to have fun. With my skill level (~13 index) it wouldn't be any fun to compete scratch against a low HC player or for that matter, even though I would probably win, it wouldn't be any more fun to compete gross against a 20 HC'r. If you're really interested in testing your skill against others, scratch/gross is the definately the way to go. However, for me, it's more about competing against myself, with a more formal competitive setting adding additional mental pressures that may not be present in a more casual round. It's not really about 'free' strokes, its about seeing if I can do better againt my 'average' than the other golfers against his/hers.

It's also not uncommon for clubs to arrange 'flighted' competitions which give no strokes but put players of similar skill level together.
[/quote]

I understand and appreciate your position. I was there once. I have been a member/BOD at two private clubs, and both offered flighted events. Most of the guys with indexes below 4 played in the Championship level for two reasons. We went off first, allowing us to finish faster, and winning or placing second, third or fourth in that group meant something.

That said, I'll be giving my buddy 16 strokes this weekend... There's another aspect of the handicap system thats concerns me. When someone's game suddently hits on all cylinders; yet their handicap isn't reflecting the improvement. That person might be a 15, but suddenly he's playing 3-5 strokes better, yet getting "X" number of strokes. A mid or low single doesn't have a chance, even with a good game. Reason being, when playing to a low-mid-single improvement comes in smaller numbers over longer periods. As for comraderie, I enjoy it, but in a tournament, I want to win. If I play good golf and get beat by the aforemention guy - me'z not happy Its another thing to be beat by a +2. Anyways, as I said I understand.

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1338918012' post='5035170']
[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1338915603' post='5034920']
Nothing wrong at all with that attitude but it doesn't make for 'fun' competition for most golfers and that's what I think most golfers want - to have fun. With my skill level (~13 index) it wouldn't be any fun to compete scratch against a low HC player or for that matter, even though I would probably win, it wouldn't be any more fun to compete gross against a 20 HC'r. If you're really interested in testing your skill against others, scratch/gross is the definately the way to go. However, for me, it's more about competing against myself, with a more formal competitive setting adding additional mental pressures that may not be present in a more casual round. It's not really about 'free' strokes, its about seeing if I can do better againt my 'average' than the other golfers against his/hers.

It's also not uncommon for clubs to arrange 'flighted' competitions which give no strokes but put players of similar skill level together.
[/quote]

I understand and appreciate your position. I was there once. I have been a member/BOD at two private clubs, and both offered flighted events. Most of the guys with indexes below 4 played in the Championship level for two reasons. We went off first, allowing us to finish faster, and winning or placing second, third or fourth in that group meant something.

That said, I'll be giving my buddy 16 strokes this weekend... There's another aspect of the handicap system thats concerns me. When someone's game suddently hits on all cylinders; yet their handicap isn't reflecting the improvement. That person might be a 15, but suddenly he's playing 3-5 strokes better, yet getting "X" number of strokes. A mid or low single doesn't have a chance, even with a good game. Reason being, when playing to a low-mid-single improvement comes in smaller numbers over longer periods. As for comraderie, I enjoy it, but in a tournament, I want to win. If I play good golf and get beat by the aforemention guy - me'z not happy Its another thing to be beat by a +2. Anyways, as I said I understand.
[/quote]

And I understand you're postion as well - and I never said I thought the current handicap system doesn't have it's own set of problems, it's just all we got.