Frank,

I play golf for a State Women’s Golf Team and am concerned about what the USGA is proposing with regard to changing the groove rules. If the USGA adopts the change, will my clubs be non-conforming?

Nancy

Nancy,

The USGA’s proposal includes a longer grace period for most golfers but also will include a “Condition of Competition” as of Jan1 2009. This means that if you decide to enter the US Women’s Open in 2009 and the Condition of Competition is adopted at this event (which is very likely as it is a major USGA Championship involving highly skilled players) then it is very possible that your clubs will not conform and you will have to get a new set if you want to compete.

“…..the USGA would recommend that the Condition apply only to competitions involving highly skilled players.”

Based on the fact that you represent your State in Competitions you are considered to be in the category of a “skilled player”.

I don’t know which set of clubs you have at present but they are probably reasonably close to the limit re. the grooves specifications. In essence the new proposal calls for a decrease in the groove cross sectional area by 50% of what today’s specifications presently allow.

“…….would limit the total cross-sectional area of a groove divided by the groove pitch (width plus separation) to 0.0025 square inches per inch.”  

The present rules have this limit at 0.005 square inches per inch. So in essence the volume of the groove has been cut in half, because the pros on tour spin the ball too much out of the light rough.  So if your clubs have grooves which when new were only 60% of the way to the limit by today’s specifications, they will be affected by the proposed change and you will need to buy a new set.

Hope this helps
Frank