Grooves Rules Change:
A New Kind Of ‘Irony’
BY JOHN STEINBREDER
As the PGA Tour begins its 2010 season, the second most discussed subject
on the practice ranges and putting greens in Hawaii is the change to the
Rules of Golf regarding grooves in irons. Most of that talk centers on how
making them narrower and more rounded will affect play to the greens
and around them. But there is also plenty of chatter — both in Hawaii and
throughout the golf world — about the reasons those modifications were
made, how and when they will be rolled out and the ways they will not only
impact touring professionals but also equipment makers, retailers, elite
amateur golfers and club players.
Not surprisingly, the Rules changes have engendered a fair amount of
confusion. But the following questions and answers should provide clarity:
CURRENT SQUARE OR “U” GROOVE
SHARP EDGES SHARP EDGES SHARP EDGES
LARGER
SIZE
LARGER
SIZE
LARGER
SIZE
Grooves on clubs with lofts of 25 degrees and above (essentially 5-iron and
up) must be narrower and have more
rounded edges than ones used in the
past. Golfers on the major professional
tours are required to conform to that
regulation in competition as of January
1. Some of the professional mini-Tours
will follow suit this year. The rule is
scheduled to be applied to elite amateur
competitions in 2014, but not all state
and regional golf associations will adopt
the rule in 2014. At least one major association is leaving a decision open-ended
for now, saying it might choose to wait
until later than 2014 to make the new
grooves mandatory.
Equipment makers may continue to
produce clubs under the old regulations
through 2010; after that, their products
must conform to the new Rules. Retail-
“V” GROOVE
(Conforms to new regulations)
“V” GROOVE
(Conforms to new regulations)
“V” GROOVE
(Conforms to new regulations)
ers are allowed to sell clubs with both
specifications for as long as they are
available.
The bottom line is that the new
equipment Rules won’t affect very many
golfers. Casual players have until 2024 to
conform to the edict and, truth be told,
not many of them will be worried about
whether the grooves in their clubs are
within the Rules. However, if you want a
backup set of wedges with the high spin
grooves that will see you through 2024,
buy them this year.
WHY ARE GROOVES IMPORTANT?
Grooves enable players to impart
backspin on shots, giving them greater
control. In addition, grooves act like tire
treads, dispersing water and debris (i.e.
grass and dirt) so the clubface may hit
the ball in the cleanest possible way —
and the player may maximize control of
that shot, especially out of the rough.
WHY WERE THE CHANGES MADE?
Golf’s two governing bodies, the
Royal and Ancient and the United States
Golf Association, became alarmed at the
way modern players were able to control
NEW GROOVE
(Conforms to new regulations)
NEW GROOVE
(Conforms to new regulations)
NEW GROOVE
(Conforms to new regulations)
ROUNDER EDGES ROUNDER EDGES ROUNDER EDGES
SMALLER
SIZE
SMALLER
SIZE
SMALLER
SIZE
