One-Step Ahead of the “Golf Police”
For the most part grooves on the faces of irons haven’t changed all that much in recent time. Yes…there are a couple different shapes that manufacturers used to try an put more spin on the ball with but for the most part little has been changed. And the USGA is hoping to keep it that way.
The USGA has been trying to put out all kind of fires of late. They don’t want drivers hitting shots too far, heads being abnormally large, too much loft being on wedges (coming soon), shapes of drivers helping you hit more fairways or face grooves being to big and sharp. The new groove rule they announced will take effect in 2010.
But it looks like Ping is already one step ahead of the “Golf Police”. This new patent application was published yesterday. See below for the changes:
USGA New Groove Regulations
Ping Groove Changes
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– Shocking Patent Issued by TaylorMade Golf
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Tyler
15 years ago
These groove designs are interesting. I always thought that the groove’s cross-sectional geometry had to be symmetrical (only affects fig. 11), but who knows anymore.
I do agree that the USGA is being ridiculous with this new rule. The game is hard enough and it’s fun to hit a wedge shot that lands behind the hole and spins back. That is what people want to see. Besides, the manufacturers will just find a way around the rule, just as ping has. I’m pretty sure many people can barely afford to play as it is, and this new rule would require new wedges (eventually). The USGA is really just killing the game of golf.