Comments on: USGA Groove Rules Change: What It Means for You http://golftecblog.com/2009/09/25/usga-groove-rules-change-what-it-means-for-you/ Tue, 29 May 2012 19:37:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Steve Atherton http://golftecblog.com/2009/09/25/usga-groove-rules-change-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-69 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:38:31 +0000 http://golftecblog.com/?p=169#comment-69 It will be interesting to see how the new grooves affect greens in regulation percentage, scoring, proximity to the hole from the rough, etc on Tour this year. We did some preliminary VectorPro spin testing with pros hitting from a mat that simulates rough. This allowed us to create a consistent rough lie, which is ultimately impossible to create on the course. We hit a few hundred shots and found literally no significant statistical difference between the old and new grooves. In fact, the wedge with new grooves spun the ball, on average, 19 rpms MORE than the old grooves!

I do agree with you that the amateur player will likely never see any difference, and it’s very possible that the Pro’s may not notice a difference either!

]]> By: Seizo http://golftecblog.com/2009/09/25/usga-groove-rules-change-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-68 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:48:38 +0000 http://golftecblog.com/?p=169#comment-68 I think this rule change will bring back shot making to professional golf. We have already seen Robert Allenby hit a couple of fliers at Torrey Pines. For amateurs the change won’t be as dramatic. Most amateurs don’t generate the kind of spin the pros do and most don’t use tour balls. To get equivalent they’ll likely need to change their ball, although that will probably lower distance for your average golfer.

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