USGA Ban on High Lofted Wedges

[Fourputt]

Hey check this out. The USGA, in a letter sent earlier this month to club manufacturers, said high lofted wedges "can reduce the challenge of the game for shots near the green.''

All I see is that they have said that they are looking at the issue. No threats have been made. No firm loft cutoff point established. So far all this does is provide fodder for conspiracy theorists.

The USGA is ALWAYS looking at equipment. That is the sole function of one of their divisions. They test anything and everything, and when a trend appears that seems to negatively impact the game, they dig a bit deeper. That doesn't mean that they will actually find something, or that anything is actually going to be done, or that they will actually take away that precious 60° LW that most amateurs can't hit anyway. If they do change the rule, with today's fast greens and deep bunkers, I'd be amazed if they didn't go at least to 60°... that has been the standard upper limit for wedges for several years now, and all players have to do to get around such a ban is to buy a 58° and bend it. I find that a 58° is easier to hit than a 60° anyway, and you can play essentially the same shots with it. All this excitement is quite premature, IMHO.

[NM Golf]

I can't even say I lean ever so slightly in one direction or another. At this point, it's

True True

[onthehunt526]

And not to mention it will be AT LEAST 4 years before they will even cap it anyway... I know golf is a self policing game but if the pros want a 60 when the cap is 58... they will take a 58 degree and bend it to 60 and say its a 58 degree... Its so difficult to police and i don't see the USGA doing it... especially with the new groove rule...

[Ben]

The are putting together a study to look into banning wedges 60° or higher. What do you think?

I say "good". There is nothing a 64* wedge can do that a 58* wedge can't. I say those things are a waste of space in the bag. This is just my opinion of course. I guess they could have some use to some golfers. I just think one can get better use out of the 14 clubs they are allowed.

Even if this rule goes through it won't hurt the everyday golfer. Just guys that play in tournaments who depend on those clubs.

theres also an 80º wedge "

Someone left one of those at our course. I have yet to even put the thing in my hands to look at it. I mean, come on...

[JessN16]

I won't be affected much. My effectiveness with wedges stops at my 56-degree, 12-degree bounce MAC sand wedge. I have gone through three lob wedges (two 60s, a 64) with varying degrees of bounce and I've hurt myself more than I've helped myself. In fact, I just pulled my 60 out of my bag so I could carry two drivers.

Jess

[Big_M]

I say those things are a waste of space in the bag. This is just my opinion of course. I guess they could have some use to some golfers.

These are basically my feelings as well... I don't care too much if they change the rule, as I don't use a 60* or above, but I don't really think it's a very necessary rule either... the 14 club rule limits what you can carry out of sheer practicality.

[st0wgolf08]

These are basically my feelings as well... I don't care too much if they change the rule, as I don't use a 60* or above, but I don't really think it's a very necessary rule either... the 14 club rule limits what you can carry out of sheer practicality.

Just keep in mind, that what is practical to you, might not be to someone else, or vice versa. So someone could say, "Why would I want a 6 iron?" And they would think your silly for having one, much as you do for them having a 73, 64 or 80 degree wedge.

Also to the why would you just open the face on the wedge, first of all think how much that makes the ball go right also. You would have to account for that, and it is much easier to just aim straight and let her rip. Distance control would be much harder too.

[Big_M]

Just keep in mind, that what is practical to you, might not be to someone else, or vice versa. So someone could say, "Why would I want a 6 iron?" And they would think your silly for having one, much as you do for them having a 73, 64 or 80 degree wedge.

my point is more that they are sacraficing "something" to put a 64* or other wedge in the bag... I just don't think the USGA needs to add a bunch of unnecessary limits...

if they do something like this why not also consider... -only allowed one club that has over 300 cc (i.e. no 2 drivers) -no chippers -no special grinds on wedges... not sure how to regulate this one

[uttexas]

The USGA realizes that they totally screwed up by not putting their foot down firm enough years ago (lets say mid 90s) by limiting clubface size and "trampoline effect) and ball performance. They might also figure that the golf companies are easier to push around on this issue (wedges less of a money maker than driver and balls) Other explanation, the USGA might also have personal grievance against Pelz and his 4 wedge system.

[RocktimusPryme]

my point is more that they are sacraficing "something" to put a 64* or other wedge in the bag... I just don't think the USGA needs to add a bunch of unnecessary limits...

Thats not all the way true it depends on your game. I dont carry a 64 because I dont think its necessary. But I could replace my 3 wood, 5 wood or both with additional wedges, and I guarantee my game wouldnt suffer. I can hit my 4 hybrid over 200 yards, and while I can hit the woods further I dont hit them consitently. But I bet I could use extra wedges consitently.

That being said I dont think anything higher than a 60* is necessary.

[bogeyhitter25]

It doesn't really matter to me. Since I'm never going to go higher than a 58*. But I know a ton of people with 60*s.

[Fourputt]

It doesn't really matter to me. Since I'm never going to go higher than a 58*. But I know a ton of people with 60*s.

Yup, that's me exactly. I only just added the 58... I could drop back and never miss a beat. The 58 is fun, but I could live without it.

[walk18]

I'll never get rid of my 60. It's one of the best clubs in my bag.

[iacas]

-no chippers

The two-faced chippers are already illegal.

-no special grinds on wedges... not sure how to regulate this one

You couldn't. Bad example.

The USGA realizes that they totally screwed up by not putting their foot down firm enough years ago (lets say mid 90s) by limiting clubface size and "trampoline effect) and ball performance.

No no no, hold on there bucko. Ball performance has been regulated for decades. The overall distance standard (ODS) hasn't changed except to include, in the 90s, conditions at higher ball speeds. Those conditions were slightly lower than a linear progression and no balls were exceeding them (nor can they now, obviously).

The ball's been regulated. Clubhead size and the trampoline effect I'll go along with, though I do think clubhead size benefitted the amateur more than the pro - just barely. The amateur now has a bunch more room to miss, but the pro can swing harder and still get good distance by mis-hitting it slightly.

[JessN16]

Not to mention if you outlaw chippers you have to outlaw some very old clubs that chippers are built to mimic. It's not exactly new technology there.

I've also never quite figure out why anyone would go after the clubs/balls that serve more to bring amateurs into the game. Once you get to the pro level, outlaw whatever you like. At the high-handicap amateur level, the only thing you do by forcing them to play with hard-to-play clubs is either (a) protecting your own advantage or (b) being a rectum. (Not talking about you, Erik)

I'm not a good golfer, but I'm a fairly high-level bowler. I play in many handicap tournaments and have been beaten by people not nearly on my skill level. Whose fault was that? My own, for not performing better. We're having this same discussion in the bowling world right now regarding ball tech.

Chippers, high-lofted clubs, oversized drivers, etc. -- outlaw whatever you like at the PGA level. At the USGA amateur level -- particularly the casual golf level -- why really get that nitpicky about it? I've had several friends that tried to take golf, struggled badly at it and dropped it. Why make that process harder?

And before anyone says, "that's not golf," meaning being allowed to play with such tools ... well, yes it is. It's currently legal. Leave the things that aid the casual golfer alone.

Jess

[Laxplayer201092]

Lets try this,

Phil, who plays numerous wedges, doesnt carry a driver, etc etc, how many times did he win this year with his 64? oh thats right..

then again, Vijay carried a 62 on his little rampage this year...


bottom line- you still gotta swing the damn thing.

[pshizz]

Lets try this,

i honestly dont think that these regulations are necesary. Everyone thinks the game of golf is becoming easier because of all of this new technology, but in reality its not. The average handicap has barley dropped in the last 20 years...WHY-becacuse it takes PRACTICE to become better, and only practice. The usga should stop it with all these regulations, because in reality...you still have to swing it^^ just as laxplayer said. Doesnt the USGA want new innovations to attract new players, and make the game more popular?? Doesnt make sence to me.

[iacas]

I've also never quite figure out why anyone would go after the clubs/balls that serve more to bring amateurs into the game. Once you get to the pro level, outlaw whatever you like.

I don't think very many people are at all in favor of bifurcation, and that's what you're advocating. It's a whole different argument.