2010 Groove Conditions

[Matt_Cohn]

In the next 20 days, I'll need to do the following as the result of the new groove rules:

1. Review a 9-page handout from the USGA

2. Buy two new wedges - exactly the same as I have now but with different grooves.

3. Ship my irons - maybe some, maybe all - to New Jersey for groove conformity testing, because my clubs are listed as "Additional Testing Required" in the database (http://www.usga.org/InfoClubsDB/intro.html). Hopefully it's not my whole set since I'll be without those clubs for a week or so.

4. Possibly acquire a new set of irons for one day of competition.

I do wish I could just buy a box of tournament golf balls and leave it at that.

[JSlonis]

Matt,

Kinda of silly isn't it?

I think Golfworld has a weekly tracker of stats for the tour this year in regard to the new grooves.  From the looks of it, there really has been no change at all with the implementation of this new rule.  In fact, some stats are even better.

[Brent Hutto]

Yeah but it'll all be worth it when the butchered-up classic courses start tearing out that 7,200 yard tee boxes and Augusta National goes back to the way it was set up in 1986 and Corey Pavin wins a couple more majors.

[jeffwarne]

In the next 20 days, I'll need to do the following as the result of the new groove rules:

1. Review a 9-page handout from the USGA

2. Buy two new wedges - exactly the same as I have now but with different grooves.

3. Ship my irons - maybe some, maybe all - to New Jersey for groove conformity testing, because my clubs are listed as "Additional Testing Required" in the database (http://www.usga.org/InfoClubsDB/intro.html). Hopefully it's not my whole set since I'll be without those clubs for a week or so.

4. Possibly acquire a new set of irons for one day of competition.

I do wish I could just buy a box of tournament golf balls and leave it at that.

Matt,
Does this mean congratulations are in order?

[JESII]

First off, congratulations.

Second, I doubt the USGA wants 300 guys doing this, there must be somewhere closer to home to measure the irons...and also, call the company that manufacures your wedges, they'll help you out.

Good luck

[JSlonis]

Brent,

I hope you are kidding? Because that ship has sailed and is not returning.

[Brent Hutto]

I am most definitely kidding.

I fear the USGA is not, alas.

[David_Tepper]

Congratulations are indeed in order to Matt C., as he advanced from the local stage of U.S.Open qualifying held at Half Moon Bay GL on May 17.

NICE GOING MATT!!!

http://usga.usopen.com/2010/qualifying/local-results.html?nid=3

P.S. When & where is the next qualifying being held?

[Matt_Cohn]

David - Thanks. It's at Del Paso in Sacramento.

Jim - Yes, the USGA does want this. The situation is that there is a minority group of golf clubs which might be conforming based on the individual sets. The majority of clubs are clear yes or no determinations. My set is one of the maybe's. Unfortunately the state associations have no capability to test and the club companies can't help since it is based on the individual set's level of wear, basically.

I'm working with my local golf shop guy who knows all the reps at the club companies. It's quite a project, and hopefully not an insanely expensive one.

[JESII]

It won't be cheap...good luck.

[Matt_Cohn]

BTW, I beat Matt Cohen at my own site but Matt Kohn in Florida also made it to sectionals so I have some work to do still.

[jeffwarne]

I do wish I could just buy a box of tournament golf balls and leave it at that.

Nah, too simple, too logical
....and addresses the real issue

[Brent Hutto]

I've finally come to the realization that the USGA has no intent of ever making a change reflecting the fact that their supposed regulation of the ball and the driver was completely bulldozed by the industry. They are in a permanent state of denial that the ball got much longer and the drivers got much longer.

So they went to the silly wedge-groove thing, probably in the hope that people will somehow blame the late Karsten Solheim for the fact that holes which were Driver, 4-iron a generation ago are not Driver, Sand Wedge even played from tees pushed back 30 yards.

[Jason Topp]

Matt:

The club issue does stink but what a great problem to have.  Do you care to tell us about your round?  The course must have been playing tough.

The local qualifying was at Hazeltine and scoring was very high on a day with little wind:

  http://www.mngolf.org/press_release.cfm?id=3699

[Brent Hutto]

BTW, I beat Matt Cohen at my own site but Matt Kohn in Florida also made it to sectionals so I have some work to do still.

Oh, you're that Matt Cohn!

Seriously, good playing. Go get 'em at the next level.

[Tim Gavrich]

I'd also be interested to hear about the conditions at HMB.  My Local qualifying site--Treyburn CC--had eight players get in at 69 or better.  I would've loved to play a course where a couple over would have qualified.

Congratulations, in spite of the hassle.

--Tim