When it comes to the Rules of Golf and equipment regulation, the “Emperor’s New Groove” is, in fact, and old one. In an effort to make it more difficult for the high level golf professional to spin the ball out of the rough, the USGA has “turned back the clock” on how the facing of wedges can be manufactured. The grooves on the clubface are now being regulated to impart less spin and control on the ball, especially from the rough or other adverse conditions.
Many people believe that the USGA has banned U-shaped grooves, but that simply is not the case. The change deals with the width and depth and edges of a groove. The width and depth determine how much water will be dispersed when the golf ball and clubhead make contact. The more water that is dispersed, the more the contact the ball has with the clubhead which creates more spin. By restricting these dimensions of the groove the USGA can help maintain the penal element of sluggish shots from the rough, hazards, etc.
The rules change also includes restrictions on the radius of the leading edges of the grooves on the clubface when the club makes an impact with the ball. The edges of grooves will now be more rounded as opposed to previous manufacturing when the were much sharper and had almost a 90 degree angle. Again, this leads to less spin and control, especially in adverse conditions.
The implement these changes the USGA made it possible for the tournament committee to use a condition of competition that stipulates a player must use clubs that conform to these new groove regulations. This new condition is only recommended to be used at the highest level of competition, such as the US Opens, and all sectional qualifying that goes with them, PGA Tour events and other major professional tours. The USGA will not use this condition in any of its amateur events until 2014, and recommends that after this time only competitions that have highly skilled amateur events adopt this condition.
In competitions where the new condition is not used, all clubs that conformed prior to 2010 may be used. Also, styles of clubs that were designed prior to 2010 may be manufactured though the end of 2010, after this time all new clubs must conform to the new specifications; however any new style club must conform immediately.
For the vast majority of players, the new groove regulations will have little or no effect on what’s currently in their bag. In fact, they affect less than 1% of the golfing population. So go ahead and buy those out of date pre-2010 wedges, while you can still find them. Just remember to hit it past the flag, and leave the new grooves to the Emperors of the game!
