The Golfers Mind
"The inner game has always been the last frontier in golf. Why? Because the source of all excellence is within, and because that's usually the last place we look for it."
Timothy Gallwey
The Inner Game of Golf
Aim & Alignment Series
The Golfers Mind
New Groove Regulations
By now you will have heard (or have you?) about the change in the rules governing the grooves in golf clubs that comes into effect on 1st January 2010. Do you know how these rules will affect you and your golf equipment?
The R & A and USGA carried out extensive research on grooves based on what was happening
on tour. The new V groove configuration was resulting in golfers generating the
same amount of spin from the rough as they were from the fairway! This was effectively
diminishing the penalty of being in the rough.
In order to reward straight shots
and make life more difficult if you missed a fairway or green and had to play from
the rough the R & A and USGA are now going to limit groove volume and edge sharpness
on all clubs excepting drivers and putters with lofts greater than or equal to 25
deg. As a general rule this translates to applying to your 5 iron to wedges. All
the existing limitations on grooves and face texture will remain.
The new rules
apply to new models of clubs made on or after 1st January 2010. Models existing at
that date will still be allowed to be manufactured until end 2010.
Now you would be forgiven in asking, “Won’t pro’s just stick to the models made before
January 1st 2010? Well they can try but it’s not going to work. The R & A and USGA
clearly thought of that and have countered it by making it a “Condition of Competition”
that pro’s use clubs manufactured according to the new rules.
So what does this
all mean for you? are you going to have to fork out for a new set of clubs or face
banning from the club competitions? Fortunately you don’t have anything to worry
about unless that is you are playing golf at the top amateur or professional level.
Any clubs existing on December 31st 2009 and made up until December 31st 2010 that
meet the current requirements will still be legal until at least 2024.
There is a
review in of this by the two bodies planned for 2020 when they will decide whether
to extend the date even further than 2024.
So you can relax and continue to fondle your favourite crocodile teeth clubs with pride.
Warm Regards
Mark.
