It has been a week of Golf Club Issues

Hi Everybody,

Hope you are well where ever you are.

The stage is set for action after a little anxious moment this week. I had to have 3 new wedges sent from Callaway in the USA as It was brought to my attention by Phil that my 3 wedges were non conforming to the new R & A groove rules. Firstly a big thank you to Stuart McMurdo from Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa who got straight on to Callaway and had new ones sent in time for us to leave for India, lifesaver Mac saves the day.

The new rule of the grooves for wedges came into force last year for all Tour Pro players but for Amateurs and general the public the dates vary up until 2024. This rule also applies to your irons and fortunately I play with Callaway Diablo Irons post-2010 so they were all ok. My woods also have to confirm for the tour rules and I am currently playing with Taylormade Burner Superfast 1 3 5. My Callaway X series Jaws wedges are 52 56 60 degrees. Putter is Taylormade Ghost

Here is a little info on the Golf Cubs with the current non-conforming grooves:
1 January 2011: All new clubs manufactured after this date will need to conform to the new rules and it is expected that all elite professional tours will require players to use clubs that meet the new regulations. You can continue to use your wedges and irons and retailers can still sell non-conforming clubs after this date. However, manufacturers may not continue to manufacture or stock wedges that are not conforming to the Condition of Competition rules.
1 January 2014: The ‘Condition of Competition’ regulations are set to be extended to the lower tiers of professional tours and elite amateur events.
1 January 2024: Still playing with your old clubs? If they are still going, then this will be the time to replace them as the new regulations come into force for every golfer.

What does that all mean for those of us that fall below the level of the professional tour or the elite amateur circuit?
In the immediate aftermath of the first change in 2010 you really don’t need to do very much. Your old clubs will still be fine to use in competitive play and bounce games. Theoretically, tournament committees could enforce the new rules but the R & A are strongly advising that this does not happen at club level. If you’re in any doubt then check with your organising committee just to give you peace of mind.

If you are buying new clubs then there is a couple of things to consider. If the model you’re buying has been available before January 2010 then it does not need to conform to the rules. If it is a relatively new model then it probably will but older models might not. If you are not playing elite amateur events or planning on using your clubs after 2024 then the rules as they stand will not apply to you.

Those of you who would like to play with the larger, sharper grooves until 2024 should probably stock up on a few sets of wedges in 2010 until the manufacturers have to stop making them, which we believe they will.
If you are buying a new club that has been launched after 1 January 2011, then it will have to conform to the regulations. Check with the retailer and manufacturer for confirmation and have a good look at the clubhead as some manufacturers are going to be identifying those clubs that conform to the regulations with some kind of stamp or mark on the hosel or clubhead. Finally, if you’re still not sure then a quick check with the R&A or USGA website will be able to tell you if the new clubs you’re so tempted with are legal or not.

The reason for the staggered introduction of the new rules is so that ordinary golfers aren’t forced to go out and buy a brand new set of clubs. That means club golfers have many years to adjust to the new rules. If you are looking to upgrade or want to experience the clubs of the professional then it’s a simple matter of checking that the new clubs you want to conform to the rules.

Best, Carolina