Glynneath Golf Club

As with restrictions placed on driver specification, similar rules are coming into play that will affect the grooves on your clubs. Unfortunately (or not, for some!), it will probably spell an end to us mere mortals having the ability to create backspin when playing our wedge shots from the rough. Of course, the new rules do not only apply to wedges - there are many complete sets of clubs currently being used by everyday club golfers that will fall foul of the new rules too. There is no need to hit the panic button just yet though (unless you're on the European or PGA Tours; in which case the worry of affording a new set of clubs will probably not exist!) as we have until 2024 to get our kit in order. The rules, which come into effect on the major professional tours in 2010 and by 2024 at club level, are explained by the R&A below:  

"From 1 January 2010, there will be revisions to golf's equipment Rules, which are designed to enhance the benefits of accuracy by making playing from the rough a more challenging prospect in future.

The new Rules, which relate to club face grooves, are the culmination of an extensive collaborative research project between The R&A and the United States Golf Association. This research showed that modern groove configurations can allow players to generate as much spin from the rough as is available from the fairway, resulting in a reduction in the value of accuracy.

The revised Rules will significantly increase the spin differential between shots from the fairway and shots from the rough, by limiting groove volume and groove edge sharpness. All of the existing limitations on grooves will remain in place.



The rule limiting groove volume will be applied to all clubs (excluding drivers and putters). The limit on groove edge sharpness will be applied to clubs with loft greater than or equal to 25 degrees (generally a standard 5-iron and above).



The Rules will apply to all new models of clubs manufactured after 1 January 2010. Existing models manufactured prior to this date*, which meet the current regulations, will continue to be regarded as conforming under the Rules of Golf until at least 2024.

It is intended that the new Rules will be introduced as a Condition of Competition at top professional level from 1 January 2010 and at top amateur level and in other professional events from 1 January 2014. The R&A and the USGA will introduce such a Condition of Competition at their respective championships in accordance with this schedule. The world's top professional tours for both men and women, and the organisers of golf's major championships, have all indicated their support for the new groove regulations and their intention to implement the Condition of Competition in 2010."


A summary of this phased introduction – and how it affects each category of golfer – is included below:

(*Pre-2010 models can continue to be manufactured until the end of 2010.)

You can CLICK HERE for a more detailed information. This link will take you to the official R&A website.

What we say:

These new rules rules shouldn't cause you too much concern just yet - however, it is worth bearing in mind that any equipment manufactured after 2010 will conform to the new groove rules. If you want to be using, for example, your favourite standard Vokey Spin Milled wedge by the time we approach the 2020s, it might just be a good idea to stock up on more than one of them this year whilst they are still being produced by Titleist and sold by retailers like ourselves. Titleist are already gearing up for the rule change by offering the C-C Spin Milled Vokey model (stands for 'Condition of Competition') along side their best selling standard Spin Milled model. The standard Spin Milled will be phased out during 2010 with the C-C wedge taking it's place from 2011. Other brands will have their own approach to handling the changeover, but will ultimately be producing their products to the new requirements from 2011.