USGA cracks down on square grooves
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. - Years of study and research and computations and philosophizing and all that came to an end yesterday when the U.S. Golf Association and the R&A, the governing bodies of golf, came out with simultaneous statements saying they have now cracked down on the square grooves.In effect, they've finally put their official stamps on what any hack could have told them for the past 20 or so years, that square grooves stop iron shots like they're on a string, even shots out of the rough. The rule, expected for years, revises manufacturing specifications on grooves and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2010. The change probably will affect the way golf is played on the PGA Tour and other pro tours, by restoring a premium on accuracy and possibly slow down scoring, which often reaches 20-plus below par.
“About time,” is what Phil Mickelson said, in so many words, when the change was announced Tuesday. A number of other players pretty much seconded his motion.
“I have no problem with that because I feel it's more challenging for a player to judge shots out of the first cut of round, or out of the rough - judge fliers,” Mickelson said. “Is the ball going to spin, how is it going to come out? And I like the challenge and I feel it give me a better chance.”
Vijay Singh some time ago had put it best for the pro-grooves case many times. “I'd rather hit a wedge out of the rough than an 8-iron from the fairway,” he said, which explains why many golfers just bang away off the tee with impunity, knowing that the rough is not a hazard, and that a short wedge shot from long grass is more accurate than a longer shot from the fairway.
“The revisions are designed to restore the challenge of playing shots to the green from the rough by reducing backspin on those shots.” said the USGA, adding that the move was aimed first at “highly skilled professional golfers and will have little impact on the play of most golfers.”
The USGA will impose new specifications that will reduce the ability of the square grooves to impart spin on the ball, even from high grass. The first time the USGA tried to stop the square grooves was in the late 1980s, over the distance between them, and it resulted in a $100 million antitrust suit by Karsten Manufacturing, originator of the square grooves in their Ping irons. The PGA Tour banned the square grooves because of their shape, and also got sued by the Ping manufacturer. There seems to be no danger of a lawsuit now, at least not from the tours. All golf organizations, including the PGA Tour, have said they're pleased with the change, said the USGA. A sampling of players revealed a similar sentiment.
“I haven't been playing the squares, I've been playing the V's” said David Toms, referring to clubs with V-shaped grooves, the prevailing shape until the squares came on the scene in the late 1980s. “So it won't be that big a change for me, but it will be interesting to see what happens. I wish they'd done it sooner.”
Said Justin Leonard: “I think it's a good thing. I only have the squares in my two sand wedges. And I'll have to wait and see how big the change is.”
“Me?” said Retief Goosen. “I'm happy to hear it. I've played with V-grooves for quite some time, and I've found them to be more consistent because you know the ball's going to fly. That takes the doubt out of your mind [that you have with square grooves].
“But the equipment companies won't be happy. We won't be tearing up as many balls.”
The change took Steve Stricker by surprise. “I don't know anything about it,” he said.
The effect will also be felt in the way officials set up the tournament courses, said renowned course architect Rees Jones.
“I've been waiting for it, looking forward to it,” Jones said. “The square grooves can stop a ball on a dime out of four-inch rough if there's a little moisture on the green,” he said. “Now the rough become more of a hazard. This will affect course setup. Maybe the rough won't be as deep.”
Jones also thought the new rule could give a big boost to European golfers playing in the PGA Tour and elsewhere in the United States.
“The Americans are used to the squares, and sticking the ball right near the pin,” said Jones, speaking generally, he added. “On the European Tour, many golfers are used to playing the ball short and letting it release [roll] toward the hole. The Americans may have to go back and learn that shot.”
Goosen did give a little chuckle, contemplating all the friction generated by that the technology of golf and the changes it has produced.
“Where will it all end?” he said. “What next? Will we have to go back to hickory shafts? And then the environmentalists will get on us for cutting down trees.”
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