Xander Schauffele's Callaway Driver Failed COR Test

[Titletown]

https://golfweek.com/2019/07/20/british-open-xander-schauffele-driver-does-not-pass-cor-test/

 

Anyone have any more info on this? First time a driver has ever failed, I know they haven't been testing this long but this should be bigger news than it is. Really hope some journalist digs deeper into this. This is not a good look for Callaway, especially after the Not allowed because of spam off-center Chrome Soft issue earlier this week.

[QMany]

Wow! Not a good look.

[MakersMarsh3]

Yeah. Supposedly 3 others failed as well.

 

Would be very interesting if they did this on a more regular basis

[MattyO1984]

What makes is even more interesting is that he has had the driver in play since the beginning of the year!?

 

Plus here was all of us thinking that Taylor Made has the spicer drivers.

[getair23]

Is it possible for a driver to become non conforming due to use.

[Cartr0]

> @MattyO1984 said:

> What makes is even more interesting is that he has had the driver in play since the beginning of the year!?

>

> Plus here was all of us thinking that Taylor Made has the spicer drivers.

 

My thoughts exactly. He has had it in play since January? Not cool. Would be interesting to compare his driving distance stats after several tournaments with the “conforming” driver to that of the past 7 months.

 

 

[RichieHunt]

> @getair23 said:

> Is it possible for a driver to become non conforming due to use.

 

I doubt it would be non-conforming for COR after use. Drivers tend to soften over time...yes, even titanium drivers.

 

 

 

 

RH

[getair23]

Xander didn’t seem to pleased that he was one of only 30 picked for testing. Too bad we won’t get any info on the possible other drivers that didn’t pass.

[youngun87]

> @Cartr0 said:

> > @MattyO1984 said:

> > What makes is even more interesting is that he has had the driver in play since the beginning of the year!?

> >

> > Plus here was all of us thinking that Taylor Made has the spicer drivers.

>

> My thoughts exactly. He has had it in play since January? Not cool. Would be interesting to compare his driving distance stats after several tournaments with the “conforming” driver to that of the past 7 months.

>

>

 

It depends on how non-conforming it is. There was a study posted here a while ago discussing how different COR values affect distance. Basically with the margin of error in today's manufacturing even drivers that are over their COR value add very little distance. Furthermore, the tour vans test clubs for their players. I bet his was right on the edge when they initially tested it and barely failed the R&A test. There are also margin of errors in the measuring devices.

[MattyO1984]

It’s really an interesting one. Has he been gaining a competitive advantage over his peers? Possibly yes, possibly no. If it were drugs and there were a possibility that there was an advantage we all know what would happen even if the potential for an advantage was done completely innocently. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out over the next few days and weeks.

[HappyGilmore22]

Regardless of the advantage or not, this should never happen on tour.

[SAM_PGA]

 

>

> It depends on how non-conforming it is. There was a study posted here a while ago discussing how different COR values affect distance. Basically with the margin of error in today's manufacturing even drivers that are over their COR value add very little distance. Furthermore, the tour vans test clubs for their players. I bet his was right on the edge when they initially tested it and barely failed the R&A test. There are also margin of errors in the measuring devices.

 

Completely agree with this... Not one manufacturer is going to let a non-conforming driver into play on a world wide platform. Additionally (I can only speak of Titlest) has a routine schedule of testing every single driver they have on play to ensure they do not exceed the illegal line. If a Titleist driver is on the line, they know there is a very good chance that the next time it is tested it could be illegal... A back-up, if it doesn't already exist, will go into production.

 

 

[K13]

> @QMany said:

> Wow! Not a good look.

 

For Callaway, not Xander right?

 

[QuigleyDU]

Sacrificial lamb. If you tested every driver at a single event you would have way more fails.

[Titletown]

> @SAM_PGA said:

>

> >

> > It depends on how non-conforming it is. There was a study posted here a while ago discussing how different COR values affect distance. Basically with the margin of error in today's manufacturing even drivers that are over their COR value add very little distance. Furthermore, the tour vans test clubs for their players. I bet his was right on the edge when they initially tested it and barely failed the R&A test. There are also margin of errors in the measuring devices.

>

> Completely agree with this... Not one manufacturer is going to let a non-conforming driver into play on a world wide platform. Additionally (I can only speak of Titlest) has a routine schedule of testing every single driver they have on play to ensure they do not exceed the illegal line. If a Titleist driver is on the line, they know there is a very good chance that the next time it is tested it could be illegal... A back-up, if it doesn't already exist, will go into production.

>

>

 

I don't mean to be a smart-a$$ here because I don't know a damn thing about COR, but you say no manufacturer would let a non-conforming driver into play, but Callaway did. I don't blame Xander one bit, but someone has to be at fault. There had to be someone on the tour truck that knew this was non-conforming. Or am I missing something?

[Titletown]

> @K13 said:

> > @QMany said:

> > Wow! Not a good look.

>

> For Callaway, not Xander right?

>

 

yes, bad look for Callaway, imo

[Titletown]

> @getair23 said:

> Is it possible for a driver to become non conforming due to use.

 

I did read in another article that a driver can become non-conforming based on use. That is what people on tour were saying about Taylormade drivers in the past.

[Titletown]

> @HappyGilmore22 said:

> Regardless of the advantage or not, this should never happen on tour.

 

100% agree

[jll62]

> @Titletown said:

> > @SAM_PGA said:

> >

> > >

> > > It depends on how non-conforming it is. There was a study posted here a while ago discussing how different COR values affect distance. Basically with the margin of error in today's manufacturing even drivers that are over their COR value add very little distance. Furthermore, the tour vans test clubs for their players. I bet his was right on the edge when they initially tested it and barely failed the R&A test. There are also margin of errors in the measuring devices.

> >

> > Completely agree with this... Not one manufacturer is going to let a non-conforming driver into play on a world wide platform. Additionally (I can only speak of Titlest) has a routine schedule of testing every single driver they have on play to ensure they do not exceed the illegal line. If a Titleist driver is on the line, they know there is a very good chance that the next time it is tested it could be illegal... A back-up, if it doesn't already exist, will go into production.

> >

> >

>

> I don't mean to be a smart-a$$ here because I don't know a **** thing about COR, but you say no manufacturer would let a non-conforming driver into play, but Callaway did. I don't blame Xander one bit, but someone has to be at fault. There had to be someone on the tour truck that knew this was non-conforming. Or am I missing something?

 

I'm no fan of Callaway, but this is all much ado about nothing. When Xander put the head into play, I would bet a lot of money that it was conforming (but very close to the limit after accounting for tolerance). No company is going to intentionally put a non-conforming driver into use these days. His head almost certainly became non-conforming after use.

 

I do agree with Xander that only testing a 30 club sample isn't equitable. Either test them all, or don't test any.

[Titletown]

> @jll62 said:

> > @Titletown said:

> > > @SAM_PGA said:

> > >

> > > >

> > > > It depends on how non-conforming it is. There was a study posted here a while ago discussing how different COR values affect distance. Basically with the margin of error in today's manufacturing even drivers that are over their COR value add very little distance. Furthermore, the tour vans test clubs for their players. I bet his was right on the edge when they initially tested it and barely failed the R&A test. There are also margin of errors in the measuring devices.

> > >

> > > Completely agree with this... Not one manufacturer is going to let a non-conforming driver into play on a world wide platform. Additionally (I can only speak of Titlest) has a routine schedule of testing every single driver they have on play to ensure they do not exceed the illegal line. If a Titleist driver is on the line, they know there is a very good chance that the next time it is tested it could be illegal... A back-up, if it doesn't already exist, will go into production.

> > >

> > >

> >

> > I don't mean to be a smart-a$$ here because I don't know a **** thing about COR, but you say no manufacturer would let a non-conforming driver into play, but Callaway did. I don't blame Xander one bit, but someone has to be at fault. There had to be someone on the tour truck that knew this was non-conforming. Or am I missing something?

>

> I'm no fan of Callaway, but this is all much ado about nothing. When Xander put the head into play, I would bet a lot of money that it was conforming (but very close to the limit after accounting for tolerance). No company is going to intentionally put a non-conforming driver into use these days. His head almost certainly became non-conforming after use.

>

> I do agree with Xander that only testing a 30 club sample isn't equitable. Either test them all, or don't test any.

 

thanks for explaining, that makes a lot of sense.

[SUPERG]

Doubt the distance advantage would have been (or was) even noticeable for a professional golfer, not like he became DJ overnight with a hot driver

[Canoe Paddler]

This is a very USGA look for the R&A. If 10+% of the sample failed the test, then there are probably at least 15 more guys playing with illegal equipment. What’s the point of testing for illegal equipment if everyone in the field is not held accountable?

[SAM_PGA]

 

> I don't mean to be a smart-a$$ here because I don't know a **** thing about COR, but you say no manufacturer would let a non-conforming driver into play, but Callaway did. I don't blame Xander one bit, but someone has to be at fault. There had to be someone on the tour truck that knew this was non-conforming. Or am I missing something?

 

Every driver that every manufacturer produces for the Tour are right on the edge of being non-conforming BUT are conforming... that's why Titleist checks every one of their drivers in play on a scheduled program, and I'd be willing to bet that every Tour Van does the same thing. I did forget to mention that the COR test that the USGA/RA perform does have a "margin of error" so for a driver to fail is had be be outside the acceptable range obviously.

 

[toc]

I really don’t know anything about anything, but would atmospheric changes impact the COR measurement?

[buckeyefl]

> @Titletown said:

> > @SAM_PGA said:

> >

> > >

> > > It depends on how non-conforming it is. There was a study posted here a while ago discussing how different COR values affect distance. Basically with the margin of error in today's manufacturing even drivers that are over their COR value add very little distance. Furthermore, the tour vans test clubs for their players. I bet his was right on the edge when they initially tested it and barely failed the R&A test. There are also margin of errors in the measuring devices.

> >

> > Completely agree with this... Not one manufacturer is going to let a non-conforming driver into play on a world wide platform. Additionally (I can only speak of Titlest) has a routine schedule of testing every single driver they have on play to ensure they do not exceed the illegal line. If a Titleist driver is on the line, they know there is a very good chance that the next time it is tested it could be illegal... A back-up, if it doesn't already exist, will go into production.

> >

> >

>

> I don't mean to be a smart-a$$ here because I don't know a **** thing about COR, but you say no manufacturer would let a non-conforming driver into play, but Callaway did. I don't blame Xander one bit, but someone has to be at fault. There had to be someone on the tour truck that knew this was non-conforming. Or am I missing something?

 

Someone missed something. Now let the "pros hit it long because they have juiced equipment. If I had a driver like that I would hit it 300 yards too." talk begin.

[Wooderson]

Can't believe Xander has had a . 25 yard advantage over his peers. So unfair.

[BearQ]

His response was cleverly disguised oh damn you caught me! Catch others now

 

Bad look. Can easily get his driver checked himself or his team/Callaway. Mistakes were made and if he’s used it in other tournaments, very disheartening

[Titletown]

> @"Canoe Paddler" said:

> This is a very USGA look for the R&A. If 10+% of the sample failed the test, then there are probably at least 15 more guys playing with illegal equipment. What’s the point of testing for illegal equipment if everyone in the field is not held accountable?

 

This is the point Xander was making. He said he was unfair to only test 30 players.

[Canoe Paddler]

> @Titletown said:

> > @"Canoe Paddler" said:

> > This is a very USGA look for the R&A. If 10+% of the sample failed the test, then there are probably at least 15 more guys playing with illegal equipment. What’s the point of testing for illegal equipment if everyone in the field is not held accountable?

>

> This is the point Xander was making. He said he was unfair to only test 30 players.

 

 

I think he has a valid point. Especially since there was such a large % with illegal equipment.

 

Why not make it a rule that the winner of every tournament will be tested following the final round, with a penalty for illegal equipment? Then players will govern themselves.

[596]

You don't need to test them all. No league I know of tests everything or everyone everytime they test. The league will test chosen random samples. It should be no different in golf. It's no big deal. Take the stick out of play and play another one, done.