from the new Golfweek:
"With the new grooves, balls will migrate up the face and pop higher into the air. So, for touring pros, a 60-degree wedge in 2010 might provide a higher trajectory than a 64-degree wedge in 2009."
"The high shot and loss of spin means less control for Tour players. Pelz said the runout on greenside chips and pitches will be 50 percent greater this year, particularly on firm, fast greens."
I bet the USGA boys are smacking thier lips at how tough Pebble will be with those teeny greens and especially if Monterey has a dry spring......
I just can't believe any of this is that relevant.
Clearly I've been missing out on these incredible advantages by playing 25 + year old wedges.
I find it an advantage to NOT spin (as much) most pitches and chips around the greens,and using height(if needed) rather than spin-seems to produce much more predictable shots.
The ball still spins out of a tight or dry lie.
If you were allowed to lob a ball underhanded to a tight (or a not so tight) pin-would you try to put backspin on it?
The greens I regularly play on are about as firm and fast as they come and I've never felt it that impossible to stop the ball with my virtually grooveless wedges. Although at some point perhaps I should change my grips.
Now on TV every time they hit a wedge shot there's a groove comment-