Ted Sheftic Learning Center

New Grooves Rule comments

By Ted Sheftic

January 1, 2010 not only starts a new decade for everyone but also begins a new era for golfers when the USGA’s revised groove rules go into effect.  The modified “V” grooves will be required on all golf clubs, except drivers and putters, as a condition of competition on all of the major professional tours worldwide.  The old square or “U” shaped grooves will also not be allowed at other Open events, such as the United States, British, and Senior Opens.  The new rules also limit the sharpness of the groove edges for most irons (any club greater than or equal to 25 degrees), including all wedges.  The USGA writes that “U” shaped groves are technically still allowed, but they “must conform to the new specifications for both cross sectional area/spacing and edge radius.” (You can read a detailed account of these groove specifications at the following USGA website:  Click Here )

The USGA has a very specific purpose for these rule changes, namely “to restore the challenge of playing shots to the green from the rough by reducing backspin on those shots.”   We all know that these new grooves will produce less spin on the ball coming off the clubface, especially from the rough.  This will mean less control and less bite on the golf ball when it hits the green.

Although there has been much discussion among players and club manufacturers about the pros and cons of these rule revisions, I believe these changes will be great for the game of golf.  It will force players to become better shotmakers and force them to improve their course management.  These rules will take us back to the 1970s and 1980s when you had to think through all of your options before hitting out of the rough.  Perhaps you had to pitch out back to the fairway and take your medicine.  Or maybe if you had a decent lie, you could open up an 8 iron and finesse a 120 yard shot onto the front of the green and let the ball roll up to the pin.  Again these rule changes will be good for the game since they will make younger players learn how to hit many different types of shots with different trajectories.  “Bomb and Gouge” will no longer be an option as a strategy.  This premium on creativity and “feel” will ultimately help any competitive golfer and mid to low handicapper become a better player.

Although these major rule changes will not go into effect for all USGA Amateur competitions until 2014 and for the general golfing public until 2024, I suggest that all serious players get a new set of irons with the new grooves for next season and learn how to play with them.  Golfers should also see their PGA golf professional to help them adapt your game to these new clubs and help them become better shotmakers.  Tiger Woods used the revised “V” grooves for much of last season, and he certainly was successful with them.  He will have a big advantage over some of his fellow pros in 2010.  These new rule changes will be great for the game in the long run.