I expect you are right. The problem is if you like to play in tournaments that require a legitimate handicap, you need to use the USGA sanctioned ball. They's how they get you by the, ahem, spherical objects.
I like to play in tournaments, and they all abide by USGA rules. But I would support a separate golf association that governs amateurs instead of professionals. Or something like that. Making a rule that punishes amateurs is stupid. Let's say you lose 10 yards a club. That just doesn't impact the driver, it impacts the other clubs, too. So not only do you have a longer shot because your drive doesn't go as long, your next shot will not go as far because of that rule, too. So instead of a 7, you're hitting a 5. Huge difference. Stupid rule that is aimed at fixing the problem with professionals and the courses they play, where 99% of the golfers and 90% of the courses don't have that problem. Dumb.