USGA Conforming Still Matters: Wilson Triton Edition

Martin Kaufmann's look at the Wilson Triton driver's unapproved status is worth a look. The story provides some nice insight into how the reality-show produced product's timing worked but also demonstrates how much the road to conformity shows the value of USGA conforming-club status.

Kaufmann writes for Golfweek.com:

The owner of one East Coast golf retail chain said Nov. 25 that he was “shocked” to learn the Triton was not on the USGA’s conforming list, and said his first thought was to post signage alerting customers to that fact.

“We would not sell a nonconforming driver,” he said.

Wilson launched a busy demo-day schedule on Black Friday to promote the Triton, and that will continue through the spring.

Indian Spring Country Club in Boynton Beach, Fla., is scheduled to hold a Triton demo day Nov. 28, and director of golf Mike McLellan said he plans to stick to that schedule. But McLellan, who was unaware that the Triton was not yet a conforming product prior to being contacted by Golfweek, said he will inform his members that the USGA has not approved the club. After the demo day, McLellan said he probably will return the six Tritons he received this week.

“If it’s not USGA-approved, how can I sell it to my members?” McLellan said. “We play by the rules.”

McLellan’s reaction highlights Wilson’s dilemma: The Triton is an extremely tough sell if retailers and consumers are aware that it is not approved by the USGA.

The club will soon be added to the list and all will be well. But the episode serves as a reminder that as much as everyone complains about the USGA-R&A rules, they are afraid to defy them even when the club is not destined for non-conforming status.