BREAKING: PGA Tour Will Not Delay USGA Grooves Implementation
by Ryan Ballengee on Jun 30, 2009 12:43 PM EDT
3 comments
PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has announced that the Tour Policy Board did not take action to delay implementation of the USGA & R&A's new grooves regulations to 2011. The PGA Tour will continue along the process of implementation for January 1, 2010.
"I concluded that delaying at this point in time was not in our overall best interest," Finchem said.
In other words, the Tour Policy Board did not vote on the measure. Instead, by PGA Tour Board rules, the Commissioner - in his own words - "is authorized to manage competitions, including Conditions of Competition in the Rules of Golf." Finchem has come out in support of the grooves regulation on multiple occasions and reiterated that support in the Policy Board meeting today.
The "full and thorough discussion" on the subject did "reaffirm support for the [grooves] rule." Finchem indicated that the primary concern surrounding the implementation in the first place was the notion that players needed more time to acquaint themselves with the new grooves in their irons.
Finchem said that they will work with players to promote awareness of the new regulations. Additionally, the Commissioner noted that the PGA Tour will be working with course venues near some of their tournament sites that will allow Tour players to work with the new equipment aside from tournament play. This is designed to help breed familiarity with the new technology before the end of the 2009 season and maximize readiness for the start of the 2010 season.
Commissioner Finchem will answer further questions tomorrow morning in the press room at the AT&T National. To listen to the Commissioner's statement on the grooves issue, use the media player player below or download the MP3 here.
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All the fuss
Maybe I haven’t paid enough attention to the backlash to understand everyone’s point of view, but jeez, we’re not talking about going back to gutta percha or hickory shafts here. We’re taking grooves back a couple of decades. I’m just surprised this story has blown up so big.
Yes, scientifically I fully understand the differences, but I really think this is going to turn out to be no big deal. Pros will be able to spin the ball adequately (like they used to), just not from the same kind of lies. Bomb and gouge might actually give way to actual shot making again.
Most amateurs have trouble spinning the ball even with u-shaped grooves. They’re hardly going to notice the difference. The game (whether it’s the ball or course setups or whatever) will adapt at every level and all will be fine.
by Double Eagle on Jun 30, 2009 12:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I completely agree with you. I find it hilarious that the manufacturers are charging that golf will get harder. We’re still way better off than we were with the original V grooves, gutta percha, etc.
This has the potential to seriously impact Titleist most. It’s not the fitting angle, or the time. That’s a front for the reality of it. New club fitting may require new ball fitting, which may require Titleist to drop its dominance with its ProV1 line.
Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jun 30, 2009 1:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Whenever I read about manufacturer complaints...
…all I can think is that they wouldn’t care much if they didn’t have unsold product sitting around. I mean, I see your point with the Pro-V1, but I can’t see it being too difficult to adapt the ball for more spin, but the trick is not making it spin too much with the driver and longer woods/irons. Either way, I can’t imagine Titleist not adapting a high-end ball model just like everyone else. From there, they can just slap like a Pro-V1s name on it or something and still be dominant.
Not to mention, everyone knows that manufacturers hang their hats on the pros playing their clubs on TV (even though we know that they’re not exactly the same clubs we buy) and with pros playing different wedges, unwitting consumers will gravitate toward those models, possibly leaving thousands of u-groove wedges unsold all over the place.
Beyond that, I really find the argument that the average player is being “harmed” to be a little sensational and frankly somewhat drama-queenish.
by Double Eagle on Jun 30, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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