Conforming or Non-Conforming Irons?

[Break68]

How is possible under the new rules of golf that players can play older models of irons?

Example: Mark Wilson won the Phoenix Open today with Ping i10 irons?

Many players on PGA Tour are playing older models of Ping and Titleist irons.

How are they allowed to play these old irons that do not conform to the new groove rule?

I don't understand.

[Break68]

Groove Rule from Ping website! All PING irons and wedges were designed to conform to the then current Rules of Golf.

 

However, on August 5, 2008 the USGA and the R&A announced a new rule regarding the allowable dimensions of grooves on these clubs. Since these specifications did not exist when our iron and wedge models were designed, most (including our current G5, G10, i10, S57, Rhapsody, Rapture and Rapture V2 iron models; and our current Tour-W wedges) do not meet the specifications of this new rule. However, in an attempt to bring some fairness to this new rule, the USGA and the R&A also provided that nearly all golfers (over 99% can continue to use their PING irons and wedges through at least the year 2024 (again, including our current G5, G10, i10, S57, Rhapsody, Rapture and Rapture V2 iron models ; and our current Tour-W wedges). In fact, the 2024 deadline may be extended even longer.

A very small number (less than 1%) of golfers will be impacted by this rule before the 2024 (or longer) implementation date, including the following:

1. "Expert professional players" who are competing "at the highest level of competition" will be impacted in 2010. This basically means those competing on professional tours like the PGA Tour, the LPGA, the Nationwide Tour and the European Tour; and

2. "Elite amateurs" who intend to compete for a spot in one of the various amateur national championships conducted by the USGA or the R&A will be impacted beginning in 2014 with respect to these national championships.

Also, PING Eye2 irons will remain conforming beyond 2024 for all play at all levels in the United States and Mexico (where the USGA Rules apply). PING protected these rights in 1990, and they remain protected. If you own Eye2 irons and play golf outside of the U.S. and Mexico, and you wish to know if your Eye2's can continue to be played as conforming clubs under the R&A Rules, please send an email and include with it the serial number of your clubs.

Also, please periodically check this web site for future announcements regarding PING irons designed to meet the August 5, 2008 new groove rule.

[Break68]

Any rules guys that have any insight or input on this would be appreciated.
Thank you.

[tembolo1284]

For guys with this stature...they'll make a set for him with conforming grooves...if they don't have those grooves already.

[Ping33]

Ping just makes up a new set or works some magic and re-grooves his clubs. The factory and foundry are in Phoenix, so no sweat, unless you are the guy pouring the castings. I would think that Mark can get anything he wants at this point in his career... If you know what I mean?

[golfbum9]

[quote name='Break68' timestamp='1297107470' post='2958170']
How is possible under the new rules of golf that players can play older models of irons?
Example: Mark Wilson won the Phoenix Open today with Ping i10 irons?
Many players on PGA Tour are playing older models of Ping and Titleist irons.
How are they allowed to play these old irons that do not conform to the new groove rule?
I don't understand.
[/quote]
Thats because they found that the groove rule didn't matter much after all

Seriously, I'd imagine Ping did a set for the Staff players preferred iron first.

[Ace In The Hole]

Yup old model style made with new grooves, Bubba still plays S59's, he has PING make special sets for him with conforming grooves.

[golfbum9]

That's not surprising. The s59's are still one of their best in my opinion.

[mst_coastie]

And most titlist irons have always had con forming groves... FYI

[secretmidam]

I have a suspicion that the groove change was made to boost sales for companies. To me it boils down to you can either play or you can't. Grooves aren't going to make you a better player.

[SadTrombone]

[quote name='mst_coastie' timestamp='1297207183' post='2961304']
And most titlist irons have always had con forming groves... FYI
[/quote]
Unless you're an unfortunate soul like me that owns a set of 681s. Specifically the 6-iron.

-mini

[Ace In The Hole]

Last season was the lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour ever, you tell me if the grooves made a difference.