The USGA & Wedge Grooves

[JYB]

any new movement on this? i don't want to go out tomorrow and buy myself some tour-x's with pm mack daddy grooves just to find out that i can't use them next year.

[Guest]

How can an amateur tell if his irons or wedges have a certain type of groove?

(For reference I am using TM R7 draw irons, looking to buy a vokey wedge)

[DavidFehertysBike]

I keep hearing rumors that the USGA is going to ax the spin milled vokey for tourament play, but I dont know if that has anything to specifically do with the grooves or not. I would assume its more about the milled face with that club.

[atltony]

but its not like the milled face really does that much?...its all about the the fact that the grooves and cut with a circular saw instead of stamped in or whatever right?

[iacas]

I keep hearing rumors that the USGA is going to ax the spin milled vokey for tourament play, but I dont know if that has anything to specifically do with the grooves or not. I would assume its more about the milled face with that club.

The face has nothing to do with it, no. They're called "spin milled" because that's how they make the grooves - they're milled grooves.

Many expected the groove rule to be in effect soon and to take effect in 2009, but it's been delayed. The latest information is that the R&A; is holding things up. We discussed (and linked to) an article about the grooves in the latest episode of our podcast. For what it's worth, just about every iron set made prior to 2008 is non-conforming under the proposed rule as well. All of Titleist's 2008 irons (sets) are "conforming" under the proposed new rule. None of the wedges are. The proposed rule included a provision for grandfathering in (perhaps for 10 years) existing clubs except for competitions for highly skilled golfers.

[BASHERBAKER69]

Its not obvious if someone is using banned equipment in my view...

[Backspin]

Yeah, ban the irons so everyone will have to go buy new irons identical to their favorite pro. Eventually they will increase the club limit to 15-16 so we can all carry (buy) more clubs. :)
On a serious note, it makes no difference to a pro. Just play for a bit more release on the greens. The scores won't change a bit.

[iacas]

Yeah, ban the irons so everyone will have to go buy new irons identical to their favorite pro. Eventually they will increase the club limit to 15-16 so we can all carry (buy) more clubs. :)

Again, 95+% of golfers will be in the grandfathered period where they'll have 10 years

On a serious note, it makes no difference to a pro. Just play for a bit more release on the greens. The scores won't change a bit.

Incorrect. Please read the scientific studies the USGA has published. Spin is

significantly affected from the rough. Pros will have to make one (or more) of three choices: 1) play a spinnier ball 2) gear back with the driver to try to hit more fairways 3) play for the centers of greens when in the rough I've played the "new grooves" (again, the AP1 and AP2 have them) and you can catch fliers, you can have a hard time judging the distance. They don't "stop and drop" either - you have to plan for roll. The combination of flier + added roll, that's not what we've got now.

[Backspin]

Again, 95+% of golfers will be in the grandfathered period where they'll have 10 years

I'm somewhat kidding with the money part, which is why I led the next paragraph with 'a serious note'. My point is that it won't matter scorewise, like I said. They'll adjust the game, as you mentioned, to still score. Whether it's allowing for more roll, or however they do it.

[Three Putt]

Again, 95+% of golfers will be in the grandfathered period where they'll have 10 years

I agree with everything you have said, my Cleveland CG12 zip groove is a score saver for me, that club can make a good ball really check up, out of the rough. I think the game would be much more interesting if they modified the groove regulations, you would find out real quick who the great ball strikers are.

[iacas]

My point is that it won't matter scorewise, like I said. They'll adjust the game, as you mentioned, to still score. Whether it's allowing for more roll, or however they do it.

I disagree. By "allowing for more roll" they won't get as close to the pins as they are by just firing at them. Thus, scoring will be affected.