The New Groove Rule & What it Means to You

1. Are Square Grooves Being Outlawed?  No!
   
   The USGA Rule does nothing of the sort. It does not propose to govern at all what the shape of grooves can be, or at least no differently than the current rule. Golf club manufacturers can continue to make clubs with grooves shaped like a “V”, a “U” or “square”. The USGA Rules have previously allowed, and will continue to allow, for a series of “straight grooves” with diverging sides and a symmetrical cross-section. The width and cross-section, according to the rules, “must be consistent” across the face of the club and along the length of the grooves. In other words, grooves can’t be slanted one way or the other to affect spin, nor can they be of inconsistent spacing.  Oh, and the rule doesn’t only apply to wedges, but to all clubs with 24° of loft or more
2. What does the new rule do?
   1. The rule changes the way manufacturers measure grooves and spacing.  Up till now manufacturers only concerned themselves with the width, depth and the space between grooves.  Now they have to measure the volume of a groove per inch of face.  Basically what this does is force manufacturers to space square grooves farther apart on a face than "V" shaped grooves.
   2. The second affect the ruling has is that the grooves must have a radius along their edges of at least 0.010".
   3. The third part of the groove rule allows for a "condition of competition".  This states that the tournament committee determines if the rule is implemented in what ever tournament you are playing in.
   4. All manufacturers are making conforming grooves on their golf clubs starting in 2011.  Golf club heads manufactured before 2011 are being grandfathered in.
3. How am I affected by the groove ruling?
   1. If you are a PGA Tour player you will need to use the new conforming golf clubs with conforming grooves.
   2. If you are playing in the the USGA Open Championships you will need golf clubs with conforming grooves.
   3. In 2014 the groove ruling will go into effect for the other USGA tournaments and top amateur events.
   4. If you do not play in these events the new groove rule does not effect you until at least 2024.
4. What is the USGA trying to do with this new groove rule?
   1. They are trying to make the game of golf more difficult for PGA Tour players and top amateurs by forcing manufacturers to make golf clubs that do not spin the ball as easily.  This new rule will not effect these players when hitting from the fairway, but will make shots from the rough much harder to control.  The average golfer will not see any difference as an extremely accurate and repeatable golf club swing is required to produce these high spin shots from the rough with the nonconforming grooves.  If you don't back the ball up regularly with your current clubs there will be no effect.
   2. The USGA is supported by the major golf club manufacturers.  This is a great way to get players to buy new equipment.