MIKE and LYNN FITZPATRICK
WHY IS THE USGA MAKING CHANGES TO GROOVE REGULATIONS?
Almost every golf discussion turns to the USGA's new ruling on grooves. The grooves will lessen spin and make it more difficult to stop balls on the green that have been played from the rough. Golfers are confused and concerned. The USGA has not been elusive about their goal which is to make it more important for tour professionals to play the ball from the fairway. For the rest of us it is really a non issue.
HOW WILL THE GROOVES BE CHANGED?
The new grooves do not return to the old V grooves but will have a slight radius on the edges. The depth, spacing and width of grooves remain unchanged.
WHEN WILL THIS HAPPEN?
All new clubs submitted to the USGA after January 1, 2010 must have the new conforming grooves. Because manufacturers have clubs in inventory, they can continue to sell these clubs until December 31, 2010.
WHEN DO I NEED TO USE THE NEW CONFORMING CLUBS?
If you are a professional golfer on one of the top tours, or if you plan on trying to qualify for any of the three Open Championships, you will need conforming clubs by January 1, 2010.
If you plan to attempt to qualify for any other USGA championship, you will need conforming clubs no later than January 1, 2014.
If you do not plan on playing in those events, your existing clubs are good at least
through 2024.
Mike Fitzpatrick
Fore Score Golf
New Mexico's Top Clubmakers and Wives Gather at GCA Confrence
DRIVER LOFT
Driver loft was a subject of discussion at a recent Golf Clubmakers Association Conference. To achieve maximum distance the ball must leave the clubhead at the optimal launch angle. A golfer with average swing speed (85-90 mph) will get the best carry & total distance with a 14 degree launch angle. The launch angle is controlled by the loft of the club, the shaft flex, shaft flex point and the golfer's angle of attack at impact. Since most "average" golfers have a negative angle of attack at impact, they need a higher lofted driver (11.5 degree or higher) to obtain the 14 degree launch angle. Gifted golfers with higher swing speeds and positive attack angles can reach proper launch angles with lower lofted clubs. Ernie Els, for example, plays with a 9.5 degree driver and Tiger Woods plays a 9.0 degree driver. They, however, are not your "average" golfers. The rest of us can add more distance by adding more loft.
Mike Fitzpatrick
Fore Score Golf