Flyer from the rough - why?

[kregan]

Can you explain why a ball in the rough would sometimes give you a "flyer" ?

[xmanhockey7]

Basically what happens is water and grass gets caught in the groves of the club so when you hit it it has a high launch and low spin. Those two combined will cause the ball to go very far. That's why with drivers you hear people talk about a high launch and low spin.

[Valleygolfer]

Originally Posted by xmanhockey7

Basically what happens is water and grass gets caught in the groves of the club so when you hit it it has a high launch and low spin. Those two combined will cause the ball to go very far. That's why with drivers you hear people talk about a high launch and low spin.

It is bad news. I hit a 6 iron 200 yards when I only needed 170. There really is no way to prepare for it either.

[kregan]

So why don't club makers that are constantly looking for more distance reduce groove size or something to replicate this?  Is there a minimum groove size?  Just thinking out loud... I don't know all the specs, rules regarding clubs.

[LuciusWooding]

Originally Posted by kregan

So why don't club makers that are constantly looking for more distance reduce groove size or something to replicate this?  Is there a minimum groove size?  Just thinking out loud... I don't know all the specs, rules regarding clubs.

You don't want a flyer on your irons. You'd have no distance control, no backspin, and they wouldn't be playable. Irons are supposed to go distinct distances for each person.

[Valleygolfer]

Originally Posted by LuciusWooding

You don't want a flyer on your irons. You'd have no distance control, no backspin, and they wouldn't be playable. Irons are supposed to go distinct distances for each person.

There would still be backspin, just very little out of the rough. The grooves are there to prevent flyers out of the rough. Smaller grooves would just increase the flyer chance out of the rough and not really affect the flight of the ball in the fairway.

[Valleygolfer]

Furthermore, the rule change to change the grooves was to punish the pga professionals for hitting errant shots. Unless you never hit a shot to the rough, grooves are a good thing and the deeper the groove, the better chance for contact of the ball to the face of the club, ie spin instead of a knuckle ball out of the rough.

[xmanhockey7]

Originally Posted by Valleygolfer

There would still be backspin, just very little out of the rough. The grooves are there to prevent flyers out of the rough. Smaller grooves would just increase the flyer chance out of the rough and not really affect the flight of the ball in the fairway.

And you now understand why they decided to limit how big the groves can be. Although it does affect the spin on clubs out of the fairway a little bit IMHO. I've noticed the difference in my wedges but I actually kind of like it.

[Valleygolfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valleygolfer

There would still be backspin, just very little out of the rough. The grooves are there to prevent flyers out of the rough. Smaller grooves would just increase the flyer chance out of the rough and not really affect the flight of the ball in the fairway.

And you now understand why they decided to limit how big the groves can be. Although it does affect the spin on clubs out of the fairway a little bit IMHO. I've noticed the difference in my wedges but I actually kind of like it.

I was mostly speaking in regard to the distance. Although I have not hit confirming grooves and do not know how the spin is affected.