Groove regulation

[DaBouge]

Flaws

In you opinion, what are some flaws of the new groove rule?.. Obviously there is the Ping Eye 2 controversy, which is over now.. but what are some other factors that you believe the USGA overlooked?

Thoughts?
KB

[OpusX20]

Fundamentally, I think they groove rule is ill conceived. But specifically, it's pretty laughable that you can have clubs with grooves that meet the physical specifications set forth by the USGA, but the USGA can still deem the club as non-conforming.

[grabthepin]

Which clubs are conforming yet illegal Opus?

[grabthepin]

The flaw with the groove regulation is that it doesn't look like it has achieved what it wanted to--to punish from the rough. They're still bombing it out there.

So a lot of hassle for not much result I say.

[bigred90gt]

[quote name='jontyc' date='23 March 2010 - 12:27 AM' timestamp='1269322079' post='2334948']
Which clubs are conforming yet illegal Opus?
[/quote]

Phil Mickelson submitted a few of his Callaway wedges which the grooves were manufactured to the new spec, but they were deemed illegal for play for some reason.

[skizix]

[quote name='jontyc' date='22 March 2010 - 11:31 PM' timestamp='1269322302' post='2334951']
The flaw with the groove regulation is that it doesn't look like it has achieved what it wanted to--to punish from the rough. They're still bombing it out there.

So a lot of hassle for not much result I say.
[/quote]

Really? I don't watch a ton of golf, but it sure seems like I'm seeing way fewer shots that spin back on the green -- especially from the rough. Am I making this up?

[deeviant]

[quote name='bigred90gt' date='23 March 2010 - 05:03 PM' timestamp='1269378188' post='2336068']
[quote name='jontyc' date='23 March 2010 - 12:27 AM' timestamp='1269322079' post='2334948']
Which clubs are conforming yet illegal Opus?
[/quote]

Phil Mickelson submitted a few of his Callaway wedges which the grooves were manufactured to the new spec, but they were deemed illegal for play for some reason.
[/quote]

Yeah, there have been few people that have submitted clubs and had them designated not approved for play.

That was part of the point Phil was trying to make with the Ping wedges earlier this year.
Not that he could play a club that went against the spirit of the rules, but that the rules weren't being applied fairly across the board.

There are clubs that meet the technical specs, but are still deemed not approved for play because they don't like how much they spin. That was to be the main purpose of the new rule. Keep the spin rate down. However, companies have since found ways to make the clubs conforming to the new standards, and have more spin.

[J13]

USGA has failed and they know it. Ego and pride won't let them admit it.

[grabthepin]

[quote name='skizix' date='23 March 2010 - 04:20 PM' timestamp='1269379232' post='2336102']
[quote name='jontyc' date='22 March 2010 - 11:31 PM' timestamp='1269322302' post='2334951']
The flaw with the groove regulation is that it doesn't look like it has achieved what it wanted to--to punish from the rough. They're still bombing it out there.

So a lot of hassle for not much result I say.
[/quote]

Really? I don't watch a ton of golf, but it sure seems like I'm seeing way fewer shots that spin back on the green -- especially from the rough. Am I making this up?
[/quote]

Yes, less spin, but still not the fliers we used to see from the rough making driving accuracy a premium.

[iteachgolf]

Guys are just playing for the fliers. I can promise you the new grooves cause fliers, especially in mid irons (I hit a pw 145-150 yards the other day and a 7 iron 180ish). From the fairway you can spin the new wedges a lot but what I like is they don't chew up golf balls.