A Big DEAD Spot in the Middle of my Wedges

[Fairway_CY]

Hey guys...

Quick question. I was at the range today and I noticed a bright, shiny spot on my sand wedge and pitching wedge from all the balls I've been hitting. Obviously, this is a good thing as it means I'm consistant with those clubs. However... the grooves are pretty worn.

I've heard others say they use a groove sharpener. My questions...

First... are they legal? I don't want my clubs to have ANYTHING illegal about them, even though I don't play in any USGA sanctioned events. I'd just feel better knowing they conform.

Second... do they do any good? I've heard differing theories on the grooves. Do they actually CREATE bite on a ball... or do they just wick moisture away? What, exactly, creates the spin on a golf ball?

Thanks for your help!

CY

[tim31x]

grooves play a huge part in spin on a golf ball. as the ball slides up the club face, it rolls over every groove which creates the back spin. yes, groove sharpeners are legal, and yes they do work. the wear marks on your club face are normal with use. the finish on the face of my wedges are nearly gone and i sharpen them before every round and get plenty of spin. what other theories have you heard about grooves?

[Fairway_CY]

what other theories have you heard about grooves?

I've heard exactly what you said... that the grooves grab the ball and create the back spin. Then I've heard that the grooves play NO PART in creating back spin and all they do is displace moisture (like car tires) which allows the friction of the CLUB to actually create the spin.

I didn't know how big a part the sharpness of the grooves actually played. Thanks for the reply! CY

[Shorty]

I Then I've heard that the grooves play NO PART in creating back spin and all they do is displace moisture (like car tires) which allows the friction of the CLUB to actually create the spin.

If you are using a urethane covered ball like a Pro V1 and, for instance, a Vokey spin milled wedge, the grooves will create a lot of bite, and the cheese grater effect on the ball will prove this to you. Otherwise, I think you'll find that it's more about grass and moisture having somewhere to go, like in a car tyre.

[enis750]

grooves play a huge part in spin on a golf ball.

sorry this isnt true

I've heard exactly what you said... that the grooves grab the ball and create the back spin.

this is what creates backspin

[sean_miller]

Grooves - especially sharp ones - can increase spin, but you can spin a ball with a completely grooveless club too.

[misty_mountainhop]

grooves play a huge part in spin on a golf ball. as the ball slides up the club face, it rolls over every groove which creates the back spin.

Umm. No. The ball does not roll up the face.

yes, groove sharpeners are legal, and yes they do work. the wear marks on your club face are normal with use. the finish on the face of my wedges are nearly gone and i sharpen them before every round and get plenty of spin. what other theories have you heard about grooves?

The sharpeners may be legal but I seriously doubt that stripping steel from the groove walls, which is what you're doing and therefore a) widening the grooves, b) probably deepening and c) altering the edge radius is remotely legal for play.

I think there is something in the USGA report into the box grooves which drove the recent changes that looked at spin generated from grooves (obviously) but also a flat (albeit rough) surface. From a clean, dry lie , you generate plenty of spin without any grooves at all.

[sean_miller]

The sharpeners may be legal but I seriously doubt that stripping steel from the groove walls, which is what you're doing and therefore a) widening the grooves, b) probably deepening and c) altering the edge radius is remotely legal for play.

My groove sharpener is not a square ended single groove pen type. It's mostly for cleaning burrs from V-grooves - it restores them to approximately new V-groove condition.