Oversized golf balls have been somewhat uncommon on the course. However, there are plenty of golfers that use them. Not only do they help with general accuracy, but they also allow you to find the sweet spot more frequently. There are some people that believe that oversized golf balls are not allowed.
To figure out whether or not they are legal, I took a look at the USGA and R&A’s rules on golf balls. Below is what I found.
Are oversized golf balls legal? According to the USGA and R&A, oversized golf balls are legal to use as long as they are larger than 1.680 inches in diameter. In other words, oversized golf balls can be used in any casual, high-level amateur, or professional golf games as long as they are not smaller than 1.680 inches in diameter.
For reference, the USGA and R&A are considered governing bodies of the golfing world. Any piece of equipment, such as a golf ball, that they deem as legal, should be considered legal by all other golfing organizations and entities.
USGA Rule: Size Of Golf Balls
Believe it or not, there is no actual limit to the size of golf ball that you can use in golf. You can have a golf ball the size of a watermelon if you wanted to, although it would be very inefficient off the tee.
The USGA’s interpretation states that:
“The official test protocol uses a metal ring gauge suspended in perspex. It is important to note that there is no maximum size, the ball can be as large as desired provided it conforms to all other standards.”
The important part of this quote is “…there is no maximum size…”. This clearly shows that you can have a golf ball of any size as long as it is bigger than their standard 1.680 inches.
Are Callaway Magna Golf Balls Legal?
One of the most popular oversized golf balls is the Callaway Magna. They are very popular with casual players who have trouble hitting the sweet spot in the club. However, they are a bit controversial as many people believe that they break the equipment rules.
Callaway Magna balls are considered by the USGA and R&A. This means that anyone can use Callaway Magna golf balls in any tournaments or games.