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The newly approved Groove Change rule by the PGA Tour has been getting a lot of press, a lot of ink, and a lot of controversy as of late.  Many people are thinking it is a terrible idea, while many others believe it's a great plan and will put a very high price on actually hitting the fairway.  No matter what you actually think of the rule, the plain fact is that it passed, and it's going to be a reality starting January 1, 2010.

But What About Us?

Knowing this, all of us that aren't lucky enough to play golf for a living, get paid to play the most unique, challenging and fun courses in the world, or sponsored by one of the biggest manufacturers of golf equipment in the country might be left wondering exactly how this will affect the rest of us.  The good news is, we have some answers.  As you know, the groove change rule was put into effect in an attempt to limit just how sharp and deep the grooves on clubs with over 25-degrees of loft can be.  Sending them back to the previously accepted "V-Shaped" groove dimensions will put a serious damper on just how much spin you can generate, and how much you'll be able to bring the ball back and stop it on a green.  For the pro's, that's maybe not THAT big of a deal, but for us?

Finally...Simple Answers For Us

The great news is, we don't have a whole lot to worry about.  We started to put an end to the confusion with our last post, but it wasn't aimed directly at all of us amateur and casual golfers out there.  That said, golf.com put out a way to answer our questions.  So, without further ado:

"If you're an amateur who wants more backspin, you realize the grooves you play determine the third factor in your backspin equation and the stopping distances you achieve on greens. In this regard the USGA has been lenient. The rule gives amateurs (who don't play in Major/USGA events) a choice of which grooves to play until at least 2024. If you want to maximize your short-game backspin, you can legally play with box or U-groove wedges (manufactured prior to 1/1/10) until 2024, or maybe forever. On the other hand, if you play with any wedge manufactured after 1/1/10 (like the pros will be doing), it must have grooves with spin performance at or below V-groove levels. This will limit you to mediocre spin performance. The USGA leaves this groove choice up to you."

Make Sense?

Got it?  Good!  Now go play!

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Well, it's officially official.  2010 will indeed mark the effective change deadline for the brand new groove rule that's been squabbled about for the last few years.  Now we know.  According to the most recent reports, the PGA Tour Policy Board has officially passed the new rule, and while the actual board members abstained from voting, Commissioner Finchem passed the new rule and declared that as of January, the new "Conditions of Competition" would be in effect.

How do the Players Feel?

The question is, how do the players feel about this?  How do the manufacturers?  Well when it comes to the players feelings, one of the greatest golfers of all time actually chimed in and spoke his mind concerning the new groove change rule, and by the looks of things, he thinks it's great.  Here's what Tiger Woods had to say:

"I think it's great...We've had plenty of time to make our adjustments. We've known for over a couple years now what this decision was going to be, when it was going to come down, and we've had plenty of time to make our adjustments."

On-Site Testing Device

The rule, which will apply to any and all clubs over 25 degrees in loft, goes into effect in January and all tournaments and events will have an on-site testing device to measure every club being used for conformity.  This new rule should significantly reduce the amount of spin people are able to put on the ball so it will be extremely interesting to see how it affects play from the rough and other less favorable places on the course.

What About The Rest Of Us?

How will this rule affect us, the amateur and very casual golfers out there?  Looks like there is some good news for us.  According to the article:

"First, equipment companies can continue to sell current models with U-grooves through the end of 2010. Beyond that, the new regulation on conforming grooves will take effect for high-level amateurs in 2014 and for "casual" players in 2024."

Plenty of time!

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We all know just how much the PGA pros are absolutely dreading the upcoming Groove Change rule that is going to be put into effect in the near future.  We all know how they are even speaking out about this rule change on their own personal websites, Twitter accounts and in statements released to the media.  Looks like there might be a bit of GOOD news for all those that are anti-groove change rule, as word is circulating that the plans to implement that change might be placed on hold.

Cink Predicts Tuesday Answer

If the rumors are true and the reports that despite the fact that it's been well over a year of research, well over a year since the USGA announced the rule change that they wanted to be put in place by 2010, it looks like that all that time might be for not, if the way the players are talking is any indication.  According to Stewart Cink, who just so happens to be a member on the PGA's Tour Policy Board:

"Last night there was a conference call and we decided that it was too heated of an issue to decide on a conference call so we're going to wait until next week's board meeting to make a decision about it...I would expect by Tuesday there will be some kind of an answer on it."

Those with inside tracks are saying there could be up to a 90% chance that the rule won't be put into play in 2010.  According to reports, here is why that rule might be a bit delayed:

"One of the reasons the players may vote not to implement is that there have been concerns expressed by some tour players that both they and manufacturers are having difficulties making and testing the clubs that feature the new groove. The measurement stipulations for the new groove are more technical than some previous groove rules, and include the use of specific groove edge radius measurements and restrictions on how many grooves have to meet the new stipulations. The measurement procedure is detailed in a nine-page document. By contrast, in the past groove sharpness was regulated in the field by "the finger test" to determined raised or sharp edges on grooves."

Whatever happens, this is one to stay tuned to.  Things are going to get interesting in the world of the USGA and the PGA trying to come together on this rule.  How it will end up remains to be seen.