Groovy Concerns...2

Look...

I think it's safe to say the only ones who want to see any changes made to the shape and size of grooves on our irons (wedges in particular) are the folks at the USGA. Nonetheless, both equipment companies and most professional tours continue to both adopt and uphold the standards and rules that the USGA puts out, in return for the organization to act as both a governing body and an advocate for fair and equitable play, growth and so on as it pertains to game of golf.

Whatever. We get that.

We also get the actual groove changes, which for the pros take effect in 2010. Now, what may have been misleading and or under-reported up to know is the actual effect the new groove rule may end up having on the game of golf for everyone. You see, personally I find the USGA to be a pretty smart bunch (I don't always agree, though) and I sense they're using the groove changes as a means to create a rippling effect that will affect every club in the bag--including the golf ball.

Here's my logic--and yes--it's a simple one. If grooves become less sharp and wide, the ball will spin less around the green and out of the rough. This means some players may be forced to used softer-covered golf balls. Softer golf balls generally mean more spin, even with the driver, which then means the golf ball will both travel less and be more susceptible to wind and unwanted sidespin. This will in effect shorten drives, make hitting straight shots more difficult and so on.

All as a direct result of the new groove rules as they relate to our wedges.

Some have argued, "Nahh, the best players in the world will adjust and the rest of us won't even notice the difference." (As if there's only two types of players, THEM and US.) Others have conducted tests that analyze spin rates, launch angles etc., with hopes at proving or disproving the effects the new groove rules will have on both Tour players and well, everyone else. Really though, there's two sides to all of it, both saying different things. If you don't believe me, read the USGA's analysis (HERE) of the groove debate then head over to Titleist.com (HERE) and see what they say. They no-likey.

At this point, I'm willing to listen to both arguments, however I know tests can be swung any which way the wind blows. The real proof will come next year, as we watch players who have made careers out of their finesse around the greens either struggle or not, as well as watch big hitters and see how effectively they can hold the green after taking big swings from the rough. If I had to lean one way, I'd say Titleist is right about the groove changes aren't equitable across the board. Some players will be penalized way more than others. It's hard to deny that. And isn't the USGA all about helping make the game fair for everyone? Isn't that what handicaps are for?

In other words, time will tell the truth. Then again, it's possible tournament officials, who never want to see players shooting high numbers at their event (unless it's the US Open), will adjust the rough, green firmness, etc., so even with dulled grooves, players can hit the same types of shots they hit before the groove changes.

My point is, Tour players aside, I sense we all WILL notice a difference, no matter what the USGA says. Low handicappers especially. If anything, the new groove rules will make it tougher to take your game from low-handicapper to scratch (the toughest climb in all of golf, in my opinion).

And that's a darn shame.

Calling All Muni Sticks

Hey Muni champ, think you have what it takes to compete against a Tour pro? A new reality show wants to pit you against a European Tour player in an oncourse showdown. Interested? Check out the press release below.

Golf television pilot being made for national syndication is looking for small town muni courses along with its best player for 18-hole challenge match. Player MUST have personality for TV with INTERESTING background. If interested, please submit a 2-minute video of golf course and personality to: lvgolfguru@earthlink.net

Golf course must be regulation 18-holes
Player must have a minimum handicap of 3 or less.

Please No.

Is this really happening? Look, I'm all for creative uses of advertising. It keeps us in business, but slapping an rotating LCD screen on your golf bag is just too much. And not classy. And way too distracting. The company is called Pro Bag Ads, and well, you can look them up.

Put it this way. Judge Smails would NEVER approve.

Tiger Says Olympics Should Be Hosted on Public Golf Course

Tiger Says Olympics Should Be Hosted on Public Golf Course

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Groovy Concerns

Still confused about the rules as far as grooves for 2010? Put simply, the PGA Tour (and other top-ranked professional tours) has to adopt the new groove rule, which means no more sharp edged grooves, not to mention grooves that are smaller in volume. In 2014, amateur competition (such as USGA events) will require the new groove standard.

As for regular handicapping rounds, you're free to use the current groove standard until 2024.

Now, we're befuddled by the weird dates and such just as you are, but that's it in a nutshell.

Make sense?

Why He's My New Favorite Player

Not because he's a fellow Northwesterner. Not because I think he looks cool with a beard and dresses like a skater. I'm a Ryan Moore fan because of his willingness to forgo a lucrative endorsement deal in return for his personal freedom. He plays golf without the restraints that sometimes come with being rep'd by a major corporation.

Now, this doesn't mean I disparage those who do have sponsor labels on their left chest, hat, bag or so on. More power to them. If it were me, I'd probably sell out to Pepto Bismol and wear that putty-pink color every day, if the price was right. ($50 a day sounds like enough.) Actually, that's not a bad idea...Are you listening, Sergio?

But once in a while it's refreshing to see a player, who for whatever reason, dismisses the idea of endorsing someone else and instead hones in what matters most--his golf game. Crazy? A little. It's not exactly free money, since players often have to not only play certain golf clubs they are also required to partake in certain events, promo/advertisements etc., for their respective endorsement companies. Sometimes, the big chunk of money players make from sponsorship outweighs what's made on the golf course, and if they do become successful and win on tour, there are often sponsor rewards for that too. But that's not usually the case. Most guys have sponsors to offset the costs of living on the road.

Seeing Ryan Moore win a couple weeks ago reminded me of a time when golf was just golf. When golfers wore regular shirts, pants and so forth without the need to bankroll their time-shared corporate jets, twin sports cars (his and hers, of course) and McMansions in Florida and Arizona. You never saw Bobby Jones wearing a hat with a logo, did you? How about Palmer, Nicklaus? Sure, maybe later in their careers, but early on, endorsements were fulfilled off the course, not on it.

Guess it's just the way things are, with the advent of television came more endorsements which thankfully, hasn't spread to other professional sports jerseys (with exception to soccer) yet. God forbid the day comes when my favorite baseball team has a fat nasty logo on the front.

But anyway, I'm losing my chain of thought. Back to Ryan Moore. Golf.com estimated the lack of sponsorships/endorsements that Moore passed up was around $300,000. Whoa. That's a nice wad of cash.

Imagine how many skateboards Ryan Moore could buy with that.