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On August 6, 2008, the USGA announced a rule change on golf club grooves.  This rule was established or should I say re-established, because of the effect the rough was having on the tour players.  The guys on tour were finding the rough not to be of any significance in the approach shot to the green.  They were able to hit the ball on the green and get it to “sit down” or stay on the green.  This meant that there wasn’t any fear of missing the fairway, unless in a major tournament.  In a major tournament, such as the Masters, U. S. Open, PGA Championship and British Open, the rough is maintained at around four inches, if not more.  At other tour events the rough is usually around two inches, if not less.  In the British Open other factors such as wind, weather and basically tough venues do not warrant the necessity for a high rough. There is also a lot of unmanaged native grasses that can grow to one to two feet high, unplayable unless the ball ends up in an open spot. For most amateur players, the rough demands shots that most can’t play and presents an aspect to the game that is lost on tour, until now, hopefully.

So, let’s talk about the way the grooves work.  Up until the early 80’s all manufacturers utilized a “V” shaped groove. When the ball is in the rough, there is a significant amount of grass that gets between the club face and the ball.  With the “V” shaped grooves, the grass filled the grooves and would not allow the club to put backspin on the ball, causing it to roll after it landed.  This is why a ball hit out of the rough seems to roll forever in the fairway and why the ball rolls off the back of the green if the ball lands on the green. Then one company introduced  the “square grooves.”  With the advent of the “square” grooves, this moist grass had more volume to fill; therefore, allowing spin to be placed on the ball.  This made playing the game more enjoyable for the masses and easier for the skilled player, especially the tour caliber player.  With technology these days, 300 yard drives seem the norm and without fear of the rough. The courses have lost some of their fight.  This is why for years now we have seen courses lengthened, fairways narrowed, bunkers moved and trees planted in an attempt to make the game watched on television resemble the game played at your local course.

Now, the USGA has stepped in and restricted the “V” groove in what I believe is an effort to bring shotmaking back into the game.  I, personally, would like to see the days when a Corey Pavin, not a long hitter but who could hit any shot in the book, gets rewarded for hitting fairways and the bombers get penalized for missing a fairway.  Think of it like this: what if there was a shoe designed for field goal kickers that allowed them to kick the ball straight every time or a basketball that allowed every free throw to go in. How boring would football and basketball become! Where would the drama pressure be in a close game?

This rule change will not affect the amateur players until 2024, when playing in a club event, all golf clubs will have to have the new square grooves.  Amateurs playing in USGA Amateur Championships will not have to conform until the USGA adopts the rules condition of competition in 2014.  Until then, don’t worry about your clubs, enjoy the rough and play golf, America!

As for the tour, these guys are good enough to handle the change.   I believe the groove change will bring creativity and shotmaking back to the tee box and fairways, making more weekly events as exciting as the majors.

Good Golfing,

JB