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Ping, PGA Tour Agree to Eliminate Ping Eye 2 Loophole

Ping (Karsten Manufacturing) and the PGA Tour have come to an agreement that will end the grandfathering/loophole of the pre-4/1/90 Ping Eye 2 wedges.  The Tour just released a statement within the last hour to announce the change.

From the release:

PING Chairman and CEO John Solheim announced today that PING will waive its rights that prevent the PGA TOUR from prohibiting the use of pre-April 1990 PING EYE2 irons and wedges that do not meet the 2010 Condition of Competition from being played at PGA TOUR professional competitions.

The waiver goes into effect March 29 and applies to the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour. As a result of a request from the USGA, PING will also apply the waiver to the U.S. Open in June. The PGA TOUR will then adopt a Condition of the Competition that does not provide an exception for the pre-April 1990 PING EYE2 irons.

"John Solheim and PING had a terrific opportunity to do something very positive and significant for the game of golf and we very much appreciate his willingness to take this action," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem.

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I like the announcement…it’s not as simple and clear cut as it seems…but you have to like that they did it without going through the courts.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Mar 8, 2010 3:37 PM EST reply actions  

It’s nice to see adults negotiating an end to their differences.

Placebos, of course, are things you have to swallow even though they contain nothing that actually helps you. It's like American health insurance in a pill. -BiPM

by dianemarie on Mar 8, 2010 4:30 PM EST reply actions  

From the release...

it looks like the PGA Tour (and perhaps the USGA) is giving up some of their sovereignty over equipment rules.

In return for the waiver, Solheim is hopeful equipment companies will have a stronger voice when the USGA makes new rules. The USGA will hold a forum this fall to improve the process of creating equipment regulations.

by TwoNuse on Mar 8, 2010 4:50 PM EST reply actions  

I think that was the trade off. Got another post coming about the USGA summit. Tweeted a little ’bout it this morning. VERY interesting development.

Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.

by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 8, 2010 5:09 PM EST up reply actions  

Can't really blame Ping for that...

If the USGA was just going to make clear rules, it would be one thing. However (and I understand why) they want to leave some room for innovation as a carrot to the manufacturers. Then it’s only fair that those same manufacturers have some say-so in the rule set up. This should either result in clear rules… or rules that never change, meaning that we don’t have to buy new clubs everytime we turn around.

At least we know what Phil will be playing next month.

Mike Southern
www.ruthlessgolf.com

by Ruthless Mike on Mar 8, 2010 5:12 PM EST reply actions  

Well, that's it.

Here we had a wonderful example of a held hostage, and now Ping has to go and destroy a small part of one step for real golfers…I just am never going to trust them again…and no, I won’t buy anymore equipment…now see if they can survive without the multitudes buying equipment that won’t help them or that they need every year or two…Ta hell with them I sez…AArggg Matey…STUB

by thinker on Mar 8, 2010 5:25 PM EST reply actions  

Good. I am glad to see they ended this before the majors

because Phil winning a major with the club would cause a little stir, imo

by Alious on Mar 8, 2010 10:22 PM EST reply actions  

Smart move, very smart.

In exchange for abandoning a 27 yr old technology, Ping will be welcomed into the “inner circle” when it comes to equipment rule changes. Indeed so will all mfgr’s. The PGA & USGA avoid another embarassing and costly legal fiasco (very positive) and the mfgr’s gain a voice in new rulings( very positive). Now, watch for a new wedge design to arrive shortly from CALLAWAY that meets existing design specs and will spin the ball like the pre 2010 models. Others will follow suit. I’m told it will be similar to an offering from Cleveland that IS already in play. Nice to see a little Good faith" negotiations between the parties concerned. Phil obviously made his point……………………………………………………………………..Z.

you're still away,...choke on it !

by 3IRONS on Mar 9, 2010 9:20 AM EST reply actions  

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