Are Krank drivers legal?

Are Krank drivers legal?

If you have searched “Are Krank drivers legal?” you have probably seen three different claims:

  • “Krank is a long drive brand, so it must be illegal.”
  • “Some Krank drivers are conforming, some are not.”
  • “Bryson used one, so it must be legal.”

The truth is simpler. “Legal” depends on which Krank model you are using and what rules your competition applies. This post explains what “conforming” actually means, how to check your exact head, and which Krank drivers are the safest choice if you play club competitions in the UK.

If you are new to Krank, read our main guide first: Krank Drivers UK: The Complete Buyer’s Guide + Fitting Guide.

If you want to remove all guesswork and fit the right conforming setup for your swing, book here: Krank driver fitting at Outtabounds.

Quick links

In everyday golf, “legal” usually means the club conforms to the Rules of Golf. For drivers, this often comes down to whether the head has been evaluated and appears on the governing body’s resources.

There are two important layers:

  1. The club is conforming to the Equipment Rules (things like spring-like effect limits and head design requirements).
  2. A competition may add a Local Rule requiring your driver to be on the official List of Conforming Driver Heads.

That second layer is what catches many golfers out. A driver might not be “illegal” in the way people mean it, but it might not be eligible for an event that requires the head to appear on the conforming list.

The Conforming Driver Head List and why it matters

Both The R&A and the USGA maintain a List of Conforming Driver Heads. It identifies driver models and lofts that have been submitted and determined to conform. It is updated weekly.

This list is the easiest way to remove uncertainty. If your exact model and loft appears on the list, you are typically safe for competitions that require it.

The R&A also explains that committees running competitions for highly skilled players can introduce a Model Local Rule requiring a player’s driver model and loft to be included on the list. This is an extra requirement beyond simply conforming to the Equipment Rules, and it is not recommended for most everyday club golf.

Practical takeaway: if your event uses that Local Rule, you must have a driver head that is on the list. If your event does not use that Local Rule, the “list requirement” may not apply, but you should still aim to play conforming equipment.

So are Krank drivers legal or not?

It depends on the model.

1) Krank Formula FIRE PRO TOUR

Krank positions the Formula FIRE PRO TOUR as a “pro golf conforming” driver. They also reference it as being aligned with the conforming driver list approach, and they publish technical discussion around CT (Characteristic Time) that is consistent with conforming limits.

If you want the safest option for UK club competitions, the PRO TOUR is the simplest route.

2) Krank Formula FIRE X TOUR and XX TOUR

Krank states that the FIRE X TOUR and FIRE XX TOUR drivers have not been submitted for conformity testing and therefore are not eligible for USGA-sanctioned events that require inclusion on the conforming list. Krank describes these models as designed for moderate and slower swing speeds, aiming to maximise distance for those golfers.

This is the key distinction:

  • Non-submitted does not automatically mean “illegal for all golf”.
  • It can mean not eligible for competitions that require the head to appear on the conforming list.

If you mainly play casual golf, scrambles, society days, and normal club golf that does not apply the “must be on the list” Local Rule, some golfers choose non-submitted models. If you compete under strict equipment conditions, you should choose a conforming model and confirm it on the list.

3) Mini drivers and other conforming options

Krank also sells other models positioned as conforming, such as their Mini Driver line. If you want a tee club that prioritises fairway finding, a mini driver can be a smart alternative to a full-size driver.

UK competition rules: what your club may require

In the UK, your club competitions are generally played under the Rules of Golf, but most everyday players are not asked to prove their driver is on the conforming list. That said, some events can apply tighter equipment requirements, especially at higher levels.

So the right mindset is:

  • If you play medals, opens, or events where the committee is strict, choose a conforming head and verify it.
  • If you play mostly casual rounds, you still want a driver you can trust, and that is usually a conforming head properly fitted.

The safest route for almost everyone is still a conforming driver. It avoids doubts, avoids awkward conversations, and keeps your handicap golf simple.

How to check if your Krank driver is conforming

If you want a clear answer in five minutes, do this.

Step 1: Identify the exact model and loft

  • Look on the sole and the hosel markings.
  • Write down the full model name and the loft.
  • Be precise. A “Pro” head and a “Pro Tour” head can be different products.

Step 2: Search the Conforming Driver Head List

  • Use The R&A conforming driver list search for UK context.
  • You can also use the USGA conforming driver list search. The lists are linked and aligned in purpose.

Step 3: Match the listing exactly

  • Confirm the model name matches your head.
  • Confirm the loft matches your head.
  • If it is not listed, do not assume it is conforming for an event that requires list inclusion.

Step 4: If you are unsure, choose the conforming route

If you want “no doubt” golf, choose a head positioned as conforming and verify it on the list. Then get it fit so you actually hit it better.

Book here: Krank driver fitting at Outtabounds.

What about COR, CT, and “hot faces”?

A lot of the “legal or illegal” conversation comes from spring-like effect.

Modern driver rules limit how springy the face can be. Two terms you will hear:

  • COR (Coefficient of Restitution): a measure of energy transfer.
  • CT (Characteristic Time): how long the ball stays on the face in testing. CT is the practical measurement used by the governing bodies for conformity testing.

Krank themselves discuss CT ranges in their FAQ and positioning. They describe the PRO TOUR as being at the top end of what is allowed, while some other models are described as beyond conventional limits. The detail matters, but the practical lesson is this:

  • If you want competition simplicity, choose a conforming model and verify it on the list.
  • If you want performance, get fit so you deliver the face consistently. A “hot face” does not help if your strike is unpredictable.

What we recommend at Outtabounds

If you want a simple UK recommendation:

  • Play competitions and want zero doubts: choose a conforming head, typically the Formula FIRE PRO TOUR, then fit the loft and shaft properly.
  • Want a fairway finder tee club: consider a mini driver build and test it against your driver and 3-wood.

Either way, fitting is where you turn the idea into real results. At Outtabounds we fit around three things:

  1. Strike pattern: centre contact is where ball speed becomes consistent.
  2. Launch and spin: we aim for carry plus total, not low-spin chaos.
  3. Dispersion: distance that stays in play is the only distance that matters.

Book here: Krank driver fitting at Outtabounds.

And if you want the full Krank overview, read: Krank Drivers UK: The Complete Buyer’s Guide + Fitting Guide.

FAQs

Are all Krank drivers illegal?

No. Krank positions some models as conforming and others as non-submitted or high performance options. The right answer depends on the exact model and whether your competition requires list inclusion.

What is the safest Krank driver for UK competitions?

A driver model and loft that appears on the Conforming Driver Head List. The simplest starting point is the Formula FIRE PRO TOUR, then confirm the exact head and loft on the list and fit it properly.

If a driver is not on the list, is it automatically non-conforming?

Not necessarily. “Not on the list” can also mean “not submitted.” But if your competition uses the Local Rule requiring list inclusion, a non-listed head is not eligible for that event. If you want no doubt golf, choose a listed head.

Can I still use a non-submitted driver for casual golf?

Many golfers do. But if you play for handicap, club medals, or any event with strict equipment requirements, it is smarter to play conforming equipment and avoid uncertainty.

What should I do next?