Spalding Boss Backs Callaway

Spalding Sports Worldwide president Jim Craigie has backed Ely Callaway's stance against the US Golf Association's club-testing protocol into the "spring like'' effect which has led to the ERC driver being labelled as non-conforming.

"I think the controversy going on is fascinating,'' Craigie said. "Pro scores have gone down less than one stroke in 20 years. And the majority of that one stroke has happened on the putting green.''

Despite the fact driving distance in the professional ranks has increased approximately eight yards, "people are shooting basically the same scores,'' Craigie claimed. "So what's the problem here? Why shouldn't manufacturers be allowed to provide equipment for consumers to help them drive the ball like they did 20 years ago, as long as the end result is not impacting the game of golf.

"I agree 100 per cent with Ely. Do men really want to hit off women's tees when they're 60 to maintain their handicaps? As many people are leaving the game today as joining. If I were the USGA, I'd be shocked by that. Here's a sport that should be growing by double digits and it's not. Courses are being built in anticipation of growth. Pretty soon the golf industry is going to have a problem where it has too many courses out there. Now here comes along a manufacturer in Callaway who wants to put in a player's hands a club (the ERC) that enables them to hit the ball like they did 10-20 years ago. Even though their net scores aren't going to change, why not give it to them? Maybe the compromise is, pros are allowed to play one type of equipment, and amateurs are allowed to play whatever they want.''