The Purpose of Grooves

[iacas]

There are two stances on this:

Grooves help to impart spin
Grooves channel away water, mud, grass, etc.

The 98% figure I quoted on the blog (http://thesandtrap.com/archives/tip_of_the_day/the_purpose_of_grooves.golf) is from memory, but is accurate so far as I know. However, there's a lot of misinformation out there, including information from TaylorMade (http://www.taylormadegolf.com/global/technology/t_grooves.asp) and Pat Ryan (http://www.patryangolf.com/history.htm).

Here's more evidence (http://www.patryangolf.com/smoothfacedriver.htm) to support the theory that grooves act as channels for debris and even goes a bit burther:

This means that the face roughness, or coefficient of friction, does not contribute to the backspin produced during stage 1 but contributes significantly to the forces acting against backspin in stage 2.* So, a rough surface, such as rough steel, retards the overall spin of the ball more than a lower friction material such as Teflon.* Therefore the smoother surface generates greater backspin.
The Ping irons of a decade or so ago weren't so great at imparting spin because they could "grab" the ball more, but because they were more efficient channelers of mud, grass, and water.

What do you think (and what sources on the Web can you find) to back up your theory?

Either way, I know to keep my grooves clean.

[skrumple]

It really helps with spin. that is why I use the Izzo Groove Docter and my grooves are super sharp. yeah they cut up the ball like a knife but I can spin them like tour grooves.

[Peter_in_Atl]

I know this is an old thread but I just got here. Did you read the whole article? It says:

"Understand, this is only true of clubs lofted at 20 degrees or under."

and

"At higher lofts, such as over 40 degrees, the nature of the contact period changes. The ball experiences only the first stage of contact, except this time the increased loft means that the ball never sticks to the club face. Instead, it only experiences a sliding up the club surface. This means that the downward frictional force exerted on the ball is proportional to the surface roughness; a rougher club face creates a larger downward force, resulting in increased backspin."

[iacas]

Yes, but "rougher" doesn't necessarily mean "grooves."

[kiwidave]

This is why I love my Purespin SW, except for the fact they tear the ball to shreds but hey its means I can go straight at the pin ;-)