It's Official: USGA Proposing Groove, Club Adjustability Rules

[[email protected]]

The USGA today announced it is proposing two new rules changes. The first will revise grooves, the second will relax rules on adjustability so clubs can be better fitted to players.

 

 

The proposed groove revision would require all clubs to be made to this standard after January 1, 2010. However, the USGA will recommend a "Condition of Competition" go into effect January 1, 2009 that would allow committees to require newly conforming clubs in events for "highly skilled players."

 

 

The new adjustability rule would go into effect January 1, 2008. Right now the rule only allows changes in weight. Thus, the new rule would likely make adjusting lofts, lies, or shaft flex possible, just not during a "stipulated round."

 

 

If you'd like to discuss this, you can do so in the comments of this post, in <a href="http://thesandtrap.com/forum/" title="The Sand Trap Forum">, or in the comments of this week's Bag Drop on the grooves issue.

[phillypete]

BOOOOOOOOOO!

 

both are lame... the USGA @ssmonkey on TGC said it shouldn't effect most rec. players because "we" don't use balls good enough to be effected by wedge grooves. TOOL what about those of us who do?

 

Furyk just said it will only really effect the tour guys using harder distance balls.

 

*****

 

And this adjustable club BS... makes me want to say GO GO Gadget golf club.

 

The USGA really needs to look at pro cyclings equipment rules. Their governing body set up rules to keep the equipment traditional, but yet allow technological advances to benefit the riders of the future. Basically they are concerned with keeping the image of cycling the same.

 

And so should the USGA, I really don't like the idea of a club thats adjustable on the fly. It doesn't sound very traditional.

 

What it sounds like to me is the USGA took away one marketing gimmick from the OEMs so they are opening up another. A little give and take

[Lionstar]

If the USGA's proposal is just to make accuracy off the tee more important why don't they suggest growing all "rough" at a minimum 3 inches at all PGA Tour events ? Problem solved,,grooves or no grooves.

Sometimes I think the USGA is becoming a disaffected " good ole boy ' network.If they keep trying to "rollback" to the " good ole days" they will also rollback the interest and numbers of "recreational" players.

STOP IT you old farts ! Turn over the USGA to a younger,more in touch group and go enjoy your 5500 yard member course.

[jallstar23]

So will the club companies start issuing the new clubs with the new grooves now or will they wait til 2009. i.e. the Vokey tvd

[RNF]

While I'm perfectly ok with the grooves issue, I'm not with the club "adjustability" issue.

IMO it's a big mistake that the manufactures will make them regret.

 

Let's face it, all this technology has not helped the average golfer score any better. NGF still insists the average player cannot break 100. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

 

As an aside - I do find it funny to hear people talk about how the new balls and clubs are wrecking the game. Then I go out and play in Pro-Ams only to see the same games that I saw before all the new "high tech clubs and balls came and wrecked the game".