Callaway ERC II driver

(£649 Nevada Bob's, Kimmage; £649 McGuirk's, Blanchardstown; £599 Golf Style, Tuam)

Illegal in the United States, legal everywhere else . . . this is the club that caused more debate among the administrators of golf around the globe - the Royal and Ancient, who approved the club, and the United States Golf Association, who didn't - than any other in the history of the game, including the broomhandle putter, but the cost of the product hasn't stopped it from becoming a big hit with club players.

Callaway claim that the driver is the "hottest faced, most forgiving driver we have ever created . . . it provides more enjoyment to golfers around the world by delivering exciting distance off the tee and exceptional forgiveness."

Of course, you'll have seen the ads on television - particularly the one with rock singer and golf addict Alice Cooper getting the tattoo - espousing the company's variable faced thickness technology which is responsible for the higher ball speed off the club face. The club also has internal weighting for a low centre of gravity (aimed to produce a higher launch angle and less backspin) which enhances distance and control. The clubhead of the ERC II is 11 per cent larger than the original ERC driver, which is designed to improve forgiveness. The manufacturers also claim that the "System 50" shafts help "all golfers maximise their clubhead speed and provide exceptional feel and control through impact."