The New Groove Rule Comes into Force in January
The view from Mizuno – Andy Kikidas:
It’s all designed to encourage accuracy off the tee. But will players rethink about their course-management with the new groove rule?
Firstly, grooves on wedges will need to have a smaller cross-sectional area and the shoulders of each groove will be blunted to reduce the grip on the ball. This sounds really drastic and has led to a couple of golf pundits making a really big issue about it, claiming it will totally change the game. In reality, we won’t see exactly what difference it will make until all the players start using them. From what I’ve seen on tour so far, I don’t think it will be as bad as some people think. Obviously some players will have to change a lot more clubs in their bags than others. Some players may need to learn a couple of different shots to accommodate the changes.
Almost all of our iron models already have grooves that will comply with the new rule so most of our players will only have to change their Mizuno wedges. As the new grooves don’t grip the ball as much the ball tends to roll up the face a little and this gives a higher launch. However, obviously with less spin. The reduction of spin should see the ball run out a little more but the higher launch may help stop the ball a bit quicker.
Posted in 
Tags: 
