The USGA has been researching the effects of grooves on golf shots since 2005, and in August of 2008 announced its proposal to restrict the manufacturing of U-grooves effective January 1, 2010. The basic ideas of the changes are that the volume of grooves will be reduced and groove edge sharpness will be reduced for clubs with lofts of at least 25 degrees. The changes are designed to reduce spin on shots played from the rough, thereby restoring the challenge of those shots to the green. Below is some information that helps explain how the new groove regulations will affect Missouri Golf Association members.

How will the new groove rules affect Missouri Golf Association championships in 2010?

The Missouri Golf Association will NOT adopt the USGA Condition of Competition regarding new requirements for club grooves at any of its Association competitions in 2010. The MGA Championship Committee will continue to monitor the USGA’s implementation of this condition into their Amateur Championships.

What is the plan for implementing the new groove rules at USGA championship?

The new groove rule will be adopted as a condition of competition for only three USGA competitions in 2010: US Open Sectional Qualifying and Championship, US Senior Open Sectional Qualifying and Championship, US Women’s Open Sectional Qualifying and Championship. Thus, golfers planning to participate in any of those qualifiers or championships should confirm that their clubs conform to the new rules. The condition will not be in effect at local (first stage) qualifying events for the 2010 US Open or at any of the USGA’s national championships and team competitions contested by amateurs only.

The USGA will adopt the condition of competition for US Open Local Qualifying beginning in 2011 and for the national championships and team competitions it conducts for amateurs no later than 2014.

How does a player determine if a club, or set of clubs, conforms to the new specifications?

The USGA has developed a database that will help players determine if clubs conform to the new specifications, provided the club or set of clubs has not been altered and is “as manufactured.” The database lists all irons and wedges, as well as all hybrids and fairway woods with lofts greater than or equal to 25 degrees that have been evaluated for conformance to the new groove regulations. The database is available on the USGA website. (www.usga.org)

Alternately, a player may contact the club manufacturer for information regarding new groove regulation conformance. Players are strongly encouraged to resolve any questions about club conformance prior to arriving on site for US Open, US Senior Open, or US Women’s Open sectional qualifying events and championships.

What is the effect of the new grooves on the casual golfer who isn’t interested in participating in state or national championships?

The changes are expected to have little impact on the general golfing population as all existing clubs that conform to the rules will continue to be deemed conforming through at least 2024, when the condition of competition is expected to become a permanent equipment specification. Research shows that only 2% of irons are in use for more than 15 years.

Starting in 2011, golf club manufacturing companies will only be able to make clubs with the new grooves. Companies can continue to sell wedges with current grooves through the end of 2010 as long as the wedge was introduced to the market by the end of 2009.

What is the timeline in making the change?

January 1, 2010 All new clubs submitted to USGA for approval must conform to new specifications.

2014 USGA and R&A have announced they will implement condition of competition at expert amateur competitions. Other golf organizations (for example state and regional associations) are expected to follow the USGA and R&A timeline for their expert competitions.

2024 Earliest date the condition of competition will become a permanent equipment specification in the Rules of Golf.