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.