Ping, PGA Tour Agree to Eliminate Ping Eye 2 Loophole

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.