Another 59 and we are changing the grooves because.....?

[Valleygolfer]

I am now sure that the new groove rule is a total waste for us amateurs... Any chance of reversing this?

[max power]

I am now sure that the new groove rule is a total waste for us amateurs... Any chance of reversing this?

It's the weather the country has had this year. Plus, new grooves don't make a difference out of the fairway-which is where you've got to be hitting it to shoot 59.

[pavespawn]

I wish but then the USGA would have to admit they were wrong.

[B-Con]

The groove rule wasn't supposed to prevent good scores, just make it a little more costly to miss the fairway.

I haven't checked, but what were the fairways hit percentages for the 59s? If they're hitting fairways, the new groove rules don't effect them hardly at all.

[Valleygolfer]

The groove rule wasn't supposed to prevent good scores, just make it a little more costly to miss the fairway.

The % rates from the rough are the same as they were last year at this time. The rule made no effect for the pros.

[Cornbread]

The courses are too perfect now-a-days. I say, let them play from briars and weeds like everyone else.

[SeanMcFarlin]

What I don't like is they are making all clubs next year with v grooves. Why not just make the pros clubs with v's and leave the ones they sell with box. The pros get them special made anyway so why not just put v grooves on theirs only.

[newtogolf]

There was an interview in a recent magazine with the USGA where they addressed this. Basicially they consider golf to be one of few sports that have the same rules for pros and amatuers. They felt it was important to maintain the consistency with the equipment rules so that an amateur climbing up the ranks to professional would be familiar with all the rules and equipment restrictions the pro's have to deal with. The interview also discussed rule changes for drivers and balls, but the USGA noted that drive distances on average have actually gone down the past few years. At this point they don't forsee any rule changes or restrictions in those areas, but if distances begin to increase significantly, they would address it.

From a marketing perspective, the average consumer with money wants to buy the same clubs, racquets, etc the pro's use, or they think they use. If the pro's don't use any of the clubs that are in the stores, there is probably concern no one would buy them, even if they are better for their game.

[SeanMcFarlin]

I see now thanks.

[Valleygolfer]

There was an interview in a recent magazine with the USGA where they addressed this. Basicially they consider golf to be one of few sports that have the same rules for pros and amatuers. They felt it was important to maintain the consistency with the equipment rules so that an amateur climbing up the ranks to professional would be familiar with all the rules and equipment restrictions the pro's have to deal with. The interview also discussed rule changes for drivers and balls, but the USGA noted that drive distances on average have actually gone down the past few years. At this point they don't forsee any rule changes or restrictions in those areas, but if distances begin to increase significantly, they would address it.

I am fine with the constistency between pros and ams but if a rule meant to effect the pros ends up only effecting the amateurs, why keep it.

[saevel25]

To me its not a rule about grooves, its that they are putting better. If your going to get a 59 you got to go 13 under par (par 72). So you got to really putt well, even if you hit every green in regulation, you would have to 23 putt.

[TourSpoon]

new grooves don't make a difference out of the fairway-which is where you've got to be hitting it to shoot 59.

Exactly...the grooves have nothing to do with shooting 59 when you are hitting all those greens.

I wonder if the USGA will reconsider if the stats stay the same...personally, I would love to see the tour do a one day tournament with the pros all using 1960s era equipment.

[kafka01]

I averaged the scoring for the last 3 years of the Top100 of the PGA tour (was to lazy to do more) and 2009 and 2008 it was pretty consistent - this year its actually 0.2 strokes up (despite the good scoring conditions). So maybe the new grooves have an effect, but most likely only a tiny one.

I would love to see the tour do a one day tournament with the pros all using 1960s era equipment.

Yeah, i would love to see that too - most of the guys probably wouldnt break 80 :) - but they know it so it will never happen.

[uttexas]

The argument that pros and amatuers play with the same equipment is ridiculous. The pros don't play the same equipment we do--they have custom clubs and prototype balls we don't have access to.

[rebby]

The argument that pros and amatuers play with the same equipment is ridiculous. The pros don't play the same equipment we do--they have custom clubs and prototype balls we don't have access to.

True... But, their equipment conforms to the same rules as ours does so, according to the rules, it's no better than the equipment that we all have access to.

[Zeph]

The argument that pros and amatuers play with the same equipment is ridiculous. The pros don't play the same equipment we do--they have custom clubs and prototype balls we don't have access to.

Custom fit to them, yes, but so can everyone else. Their clubs come from the same factories that make our clubs. A very few does perhaps sometimes play a prototype ball, but most play the same balls that everyone else can access.

[Leftygolfer]

The weather??? I don't know how the weather is different now. Last year where I live, we had the coolest July in history, this year, a freakin hot one.

I just think they are that good. I am glad, I like seeing the best play and score. That course, a scratch golfer would have to play good to get in the 70s.

[leezer99]

In order for the PGA Tour to make money they have to sell air time to the various TV stations out there. In order to sell more time the game needs to be exciting. For the game to be exciting there needs to be one of two things happening... Tiger to be playing or players shooting low scores. The reason we have seen two rounds of 59 and a slew of 60 to 62 rounds is because they are setting up the courses to play easier. Simple fact... money rules.