Scottie Scheffler might be the world’s number one golfer right now but that doesn’t always mean that his suggestions on the game can be bang on the money.
Scheffler is looking to win three in a row at this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial after winning the PGA Championship last time out.
However, aside from Scheffler’s own dominance, the world number one’s comments on the situation around driver testing has also been a talking point.
Scheffler commented after Rory McIlroy had his driver taken off him at the PGA.
“I would argue that if we’re going to test the drivers, we need to be even more robust in the way we test them. That was a conversation I had with one of the rules officials; if it’s something we’re going to take seriously, I feel like we’re almost going halfway with it right now,” Scheffler said last week.
“If we’re going to test only a third of the field. If we’re going to do it right, leave it up to us as players, like the rest of the rules in the game of golf are.
“It’s a newer rule that we haven’t quite gotten right yet. I think we have some stuff to figure out. I think, if we’re going to do it, we might as well do it right, get more robust and get even more strict. You can test guys every week, if you want. I mean, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t.”
Despite that view, though, Scheffler has now been told his vision for driver testing is not quite feasible.
Scottie Scheffler told why his driver testing suggestion won’t work
Speaking on the latest episode of Rex and Lav this week, Ryan Lavner got onto the subject of Scheffler’s comments on driver testing.
However, while he saw the merit in Scheffler’s suggestions, Lavner pointed out why in reality, what Scheffler wants is just not possible.
“One thing I did learn, and I did agree with where Xander and Scottie are coming from, that it seems like a really arbitrary number to say we’re going to test a third of the field. Like why don’t you just test everyone?,” Lavner said.
“The problem with that is that it’s not logistically possible. This isn’t about just testing 156 drivers, it’s about trying to co-ordinate with 156 players. As we know, trying to co-ordinate with just one player can be a nightmare, so to get 156, is just not possible.
“This isn’t a process that just happens in 30 seconds either. It takes about five minutes from what I’ve been told and you have to go in, put the driver into a vice, it’s tested all over the club face, not just the sweet spot. That’s one thing. Logistically.”
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Does driver testing really matter this much?
There is obviously a need to test clubs and ensure players are not bending the rules in any way or getting an advantage on the field.
However, this seems to be something that’s been completely blown out of proportion. It very much seems like part of the routine for the PGA Tour players and as Scheffler says, there’s scope for improving the process.
But even then, does it matter that much that the USGA focus so much of their time and effort into something which, in the end, is having a minimal impact on proceedings.
Golf has enough going on to sort out right now and frankly, this debate over how we test driver heads is one that can wait for another day.
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