What Really Happens During USGA Driver Testing

One of the biggest equipment storylines in professional golf over the last year (especially at majors) has been driver testing and conformance. But what many golfers don't realize is that even perfectly conforming drivers can eventually cross the line after thousands of impacts, especially when they're swung at tour-level speeds.

This is exactly why the USGA and the R&A (at the Open Championship) regularly test drivers used in competition to ensure they still conform to the Rules of Golf. And while a non-conforming driver might only offer a marginal performance advantage—in reality a driver that has gone past the limit might only add a yard or two off the tee—maintaining a level playing field remains the priority.

So to give you an inside look at what that process looks like, we checked out the USGA testing facility to find out how they test new products for the conforming list, including drivers for speed, and wedges for spin.