I was recently at a lesson with the Pro at my home course. I was discussing with him how the R&A was experimenting with scaled back balls in Sweden. It blows his mind that the R&A and USGA can dictate to OEMs what they can produce.
He had a really interesting idea that stuck in my head. He would love to see a company, he thought either Nike or Callaway, release an illegal driver. Advertise that it will add 30 yards to your drives and make you feel like a tour player. But not be concerned that whether or not it is USGA approved. He thinks that the sales of that club would be through the roof. What could the USGA do? Most leagues don't play by USGA rules, most golfes don't play by USGA rules.
It's not like the USGA can force that OEM to not knowingly make an illegal club.
He had a really interesting idea that stuck in my head. He would love to see a company, he thought either Nike or Callaway, release an illegal driver. Advertise that it will add 30 yards to your drives and make you feel like a tour player. But not be concerned that whether or not it is USGA approved. He thinks that the sales of that club would be through the roof. What could the USGA do? Most leagues don't play by USGA rules, most golfes don't play by USGA rules.
It's not like the USGA can force that OEM to not knowingly make an illegal club.