[sportbos]

“Be Patient, It Won’t Take Effect Until 2024”

So we’re conducting the recent test for the Wedges and we get asked by a couple of people in the morning, ”Hey, what’s the deal with the USGA and the changes in grooves?” We hear this again & again throughout the day.

I like to try to know what’s going on in the golf world, especially on the equipment side, but I was stumped. “I remember hearing something about them changing the grooves rule, but… “

So, I spoke with USGA Senior Technical Director, Dick Rugge
Thank you Dick, very helpful.

USGA Wedge Golf GrooveBottom line is that they are changing the manufactures guidelines for grooves. Interesting though, is that it will probably not affect you and I until 2024, no really 2024!

According to the USGA’s website, “The revisions are designed to restore the playing shots to the green from the rough by reducing backspin on those shots. The initial focus of the new rules will be competitions involving highly skilled professional golfers and will have little impact on the play of most golfers.”

The rules apply to the clubs manufactured after Jan. 1, 2010 and through the “condition of competition”. This will apply the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open. For all the USGA Amateur events, the rules will apply January 1, 2014.

I hope this clears it up for you, I know I learned a lot. You can also go the USGA website and check out more information. I will continue to love the game and when I’m hitting a shot into the green, I’ll try not to think about whether or not my wedge has sharp enough grooves… at least until 2024.

Andrew Birnbaum, CEO

USGA: Home

http://www.usga.org/news/2008/august/grooves.html

[CULTDIAMONDS]

This 2024 claim is a bit misleading, though, isn't it? For one, it assumes we would want to play with equipment the pros are not permitted to use. For another, it assumes high-volume grove wedges will continue to be available, new, until 2024 -- do we know the mfgr's are going to continue to produce both kinds until we are all banned from using them? For a third, if you are a regular amatuer who competes in local or non-professional tournaments, you will be playing against people who have both types of technology, or perhaps the tourny will dictate -- in which case you may not be able to play at all (if you only have Us), or play the best equipment (if you only have Vs), unless you happen to own both sets.

[PhilipBartew]

My understanding is that any club of 25° or more loft with nonconforming grooves manufactured after December 31, 2009 will be illegal for all players. Even for the average club player, his wedges will be "grandfathered" in until 2024, but their manufacture must still predate that 2009 deadline.

I personally don't see what the fuss all about. I've used both types over the years and I really think that the average player is more consistent with the V grooves. Most of us don't strike the ball consistently enough to be able to predict how much spin we will get from shot to shot. Using a club that doesn't spin as much will mean that one variable has been reduced and may actually help our games.