new rules of grooves will change players’ ranking

Since the 1980’s, when U-shaped grooves were introduced by Ping, there has been less emphasis on finesse and more on power in the professional game. The so-called “bomb and gouge” merchants have sacrificed accuracy for length off the tee, safe in the knowledge that their short-irons would give them spin and control even from out of the rough.

In recent years, the penalty for missing fairways has not been severe enough and the long hitters have been getting an unfair advantage over shorter hitting, more accurate players. From January 1, 2010, that could be about to change because of the introduction of new rules on the shape and size of clubhead grooves. The new rule confirms that all professional golfers will have to play with the new grooves – as determined by the R&A and the USGA, the game’s rulemakers. The old grooves were U-shaped, relatively wide and with sharp edges. The new grooves can be U-shaped or V-shaped but will have to be narrower and with rounded edges.

 

What do grooves do?

The grooves on the club provide “bite” for the ball as it slides up the face, helping it to spin more rapidly. The larger the grooves and the sharper their edges are, the greater the spin will be. Grooves are similar to the tread on a car tyre and disperse grass and water, providing a cleaner strike of the ball.

In the past, it was almost impossible to get such spin from the long grass. Among the most striking examples was Phil Mickelson’s flop shot from greenside rough on the final hole of the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol that set up a birdie that brought him his second major championship.

 

What difference will the new grooves make?

Narrower, soft-edged grooves will reduce the amount of spin put on a ball. This will not be too much of a problem for those playing from the fairway because they are guaranteed a clean strike of the ball. However, it is expected that balls will “roll out” more on landing, rather than being sucked back as if on a piece of elastic.

This will be of particular concern for players hitting out of the rough. One aspect of the game that has almost disappeared is the “flyer”. This occurs when grass gets between the clubface and the ball and eliminates the effectiveness of the grooves. If spin is dramatically reduced, it affects distance control — the ball will “fly” farther than expected — and bite on landing.

 

Who will benefit from the changes?

For too long the game has tried to protect itself from the long hitters by increasing the length of the courses. Many would argue, however, that the less powerful, not necessarily less skilled, players have been emasculated. The likes of Luke Donald, short and straight, should benefit, although not as much as the likes of Lee Westwood and Ross Fisher, who are both long and accurate.

 

Which clubs will have to conform?

Any club with a loft of at least 25 degrees must have the new grooves. This would normally begin at the five-iron and work up.

 

How will players be able to generate more spin?

It is likely that players will start to use balls with a softer, more pliable skin. This will cost them distance, but will increase the rate of spin. The club manufacturers will push the rules to the limit, in some cases milling the clubface to give more grip, while more players will turn to the 64 degree wedge — a club so flat that the ball pops almost vertically into the air.

 

How will the rules change affect the average club player?
Club players have until 2024 to conform. As few of them have the ability to spin the ball with the old grooves, it is unlikely that many will notice the difference.

 

What do the players say?
Lee Westwood: “I’m all for the groove change. It’s the people that miss a lot of fairways and a lot of greens that are going to suffer more.”

 

Ian Poulter: “I tested the new grooves in February. What a difference. No spin. The USGA are insane to make us change so quickly.”

 

Tiger Woods (who won the Australian Masters last month using new grooves): “It is going to benefit the guys that have grown up with V-grooves and understand the flyer and how to play it.”