PGA Tour to implement new driver-testing protocol for 2019-20

The PGA Tour will implement a new driver-testing protocol for the 2019-20 season starting at A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, according to Golf.com's Jonathan Wall.

A more thorough procedure for testing drivers is among the key changes outlined in an email sent to PGA Tour players on Wednesday.

The reported new changes come nearly two months after The R&A at the Open Championship found Xander Schauffele with a nonconforming driver.

Characteristic Time (the amount of time the clubface spends in contact with the golf ball) testing will occur randomly at different times throughout the season, with a player asked to provide the driver they intend to use that week for examination. Only the player and a representative from the corresponding club manufacturer will be notified of the result.

The exact Characteristic Time value won't be provided to the player, and instead each club will be categorized into colors. Green means the club is conforming. Yellow is for a club that's conforming, but the result is within the USGA's testing tolerance. And red indicates the club is nonconforming or damaged and can't be used.

Additionally, the PGA Tour will host two weeks of information sessions at The Greenbrier and the Farmers Insurance Open in late January. USGA Equipment Standards staff will be present at the sessions to demonstrate the testing procedures, the same tests The R&A conducts. Players can volunteer to test their driver at the sessions.

It remains unknown how often drivers will be tested or how many clubs will be examined at each event.

The 2019-20 season starts on Sept. 12 at The Greenbrier.