R&A to recoil from hot drivers

Amateur News: Tee it high and let it fly with a little help from the manufacturers will be a thing of the past in coming years as the R&A aims to make it a level playing field for all golfers.

The R&A has announced that the Condition of Competition limiting the "spring-like" effect of driving clubs will be introduced at all of its championships and international matches from 2005, including all of its amateur championships.

The R&A first adopted a test for "spring-like" effect in January, 2003, and introduced the Driving Club Condition of Competition for the first time at an R&A event at last year's British Open Championship.

This year, the condition continues to be applied only at the British Open.

For most competitions, and all recreational play, there will continue to be no limit on "spring-like" effect until January 1st, 2008. However, the decision to extend the application of the Condition to top amateur events from 2005 sends a clear reminder to players of all abilities that the new rule limiting "spring-like" effect will be introduced in 2008.

Commenting on the announcement, David Rickman, the director of rules and equipment standards of the R&A, said: "The decision to introduce this condition at all R&A events is a recognition of the fact that we are moving ever closer to the introduction of this rule for everyone in 2008. As that date approaches, it makes sense to gradually start applying the condition to other players as well as those competing at the very highest level.

"In addition to this, the recent development and introduction of the pendulum test means that the application of the condition is easier - given that the new test is portable, non-destructive and relatively quick to perform."

The R&A's interpretation of a "driving club" is a club with a loft of 15 degrees or less. However, the R&A will continue to monitor design innovations for all clubs in respect of "spring-like" effect and, where appropriate, any club, regardless of loft, may be subjected to further testing prior to a conformance ruling.

And in line with the R&A's decision, the Golfing Union of Ireland will also introduce the condition for all its championships, starting next year. These will include all boys, youths and senior championships and the interprovincials.

The R&A list includes the British Open, the British Amateur Championship, the Seniors Open Amateur Championship, the British Mid-Amateur Championship, the Boys Amateur Championship and the Junior Open Championships.

It also applies to international amateur team matches run by the R&A: Boys Home Internationals, Jacques Leglise Trophy, St Andrews Trophy, Walker Cup and World Amateur Team Championships

Meanwhile, Irish international Tara Delaney will lead Leinster in their bid to win a fourth girls' interprovincial title in a row and seventh in eight years at Westport starting tomorrow. Leinster have just two of the side that won last year when the event had to be cut short because of bad weather.

Rachel Cassidy of The Island is the other survivor, while Delaney stands alone from the team that won in 2002. Last year she won her first senior cap and played a significant role in Ireland's success in winning the Home Internationals.

Connacht made a serious bid for the title last year when they beat Munster without the loss of a single match and halved with Ulster. But bad weather robbed them of the opportunity to pit their strength against champions Leinster when play on the final day was abandoned.

Sinéad O'Sullivan (Galway), who leads the team, has been a girls' international for the past two years and is a current member of the national senior A squad. Emma Gilmore (Mountbellew) is on the B squad and Fiona Carroll (Athenry), Sarah Faller (Galway), Laura Holmes (Enniscrone) and Ann McCormack (Roscommon) are all on the C squad.

Louise Coffey, from Warrenpoint, is one of two newcomers on the Ulster team. She is a first cousin of former Irish champion, international and Curtis Cup player Allison.

The other newcomer is Nikki Taggart from Greenisland, a nine-hole course at Carrickfergus which celebrates its centenary this year.

Ulster should also be a force in the event as they retain four of last year's team: Danielle McVeigh, Emma Getty, Charlene Reid and Lynsey Humphries.

Munster introduces the youngest player in the championship with 14-year-old Sarah Cunningham from Ennis. An accomplished camogie player, Sarah started playing at 10 years of age with a handicap of 45 and now plays off 14.

The province interrupted Leinster's six-year run when they won at Strandhill in 2000, and still have three of last year's team: girls' international Catherine Tucker, and Linda Toomey from Limerick and Naoimh McMahon (Shannon).