Question:
I think square grooves are the culprit. Pings used to shred balls and when Ping rounded the edge od the groove, they got into trouble with the USGA. I have a set that shreds balls. After many, many buckets of range balls, the wedge no longer shreds balls. If you alter the grooves with a buffer or scrape them, you could make the clubs illegal. If the grooves become less sharp due to normal wear they are still legal.
There is nothing inherently illegal about a rounded edge on a square groove. The problem is that: - The rules specify a maximum width of groove. - The rules specify a minimum distance between grooves. - By rounding the edge, you move the point at which the edge of the groove gets measured, thus making the grooves a little wider and a little closer together. If you cannot measure, by eye, the difference between the limits in the Rules and the dimensions of your clubs, then rounding the edges MAY make them illegal. If you CAN see the difference in the presence of a good ruler, then you can buff the edge with impunity. Hope this helps someone. Dave
Response:
I have a set of Ping ISI irons that shred range balls and I don’t care. However, I’m not real happy when a well struck wedge "scores" a new Top-Flite Strata or Titleist Balata or any softcover ball. I love the clubs and am wondering if the grooves are currently USGA legal. How do you know if the grooves are legal?
Response:
hay guys i am left handed and there are at one point no square grooves for me. I have clubs that i have bought, and built myself that eat the ball. I think there is more to it than the grooves. There must be something about how hard you swing also. I am able to get any where from 270 to 310 yards out of my driver. My 7 iron I will hit 175 to 190 all on a still day. I have it i twice over 200, but i think that was just a querk. A fellow golfer Larry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think square grooves are the culprit. Pings used to shred balls and when Ping rounded the edge od the groove, they got into trouble with the USGA. I have a set that shreds balls. After many, many buckets of range balls, the wedge no longer shreds balls. If you alter the grooves with a buffer or scrape them, you could make the clubs illegal. If the grooves become less sharp due to normal wear they are still legal. There is nothing inherently illegal about a rounded edge on a square groove. The problem is that: - The rules specify a maximum width of groove. - The rules specify a minimum distance between grooves. - By rounding the edge, you move the point at which the edge of the groove gets measured, thus making the grooves a little wider and a little closer together. If you cannot measure, by eye, the difference between the limits in the Rules and the dimensions of your clubs, then rounding the edges MAY make them illegal. If you CAN see the difference in the presence of a good ruler, then you can buff the edge with impunity. Hope this helps someone. Dave
Response:
hay guys i am left handed and there are at one point no square grooves for me. I have clubs that i have bought, and built myself that eat the ball. I think there is more to it than the grooves. There must be something about how hard you swing also.
Or maybe perhaps the ball is being struck well? :)
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just bought some Taylor Made Irons (clones acutally) and when I go to the golf range they eat up balls. Lots of plastic sliced into the grooves. Is this because the balls are so soft or because of the way I am hitting it. It doesn’t do it with my ProStaff’s that I use on the course? Any ideas? Thanks, Mary. it is the consequence of the absence in quality care in the casting process. those clones have "square grooves" with a vengeance. i suggest that you take them to a repair shop for some serious buffing. a. wayne harrison
I think square grooves are the culprit. Pings used to shred balls and when Ping rounded the edge od the groove, they got into trouble with the USGA. I have a set that shreds balls. After many, many buckets of range balls, the wedge no longer shreds balls. If you alter the grooves with a buffer or scrape them, you could make the clubs illegal. If the grooves become less sharp due to normal wear they are still legal. Does anybody care? I doubt it. Get one of those carbide groove cleaners and scrape the grooves. That should alleviate the ball shredding. Bob Dietrich
Response:
Just bought some Taylor Made Irons (clones acutally) and when I go to the golf range they eat up balls. Lots of plastic sliced into the grooves. Is this because the balls are so soft or because of the way I am hitting it. It doesn’t do it with my ProStaff’s that I use on the course? Any ideas? Thanks, Mary.
Response:
Just bought some Taylor Made Irons (clones acutally) and when I go to the golf range they eat up balls. Lots of plastic sliced into the grooves. Is this because the balls are so soft or because of the way I am hitting it. It doesn’t do it with my ProStaff’s that I use on the course? Any ideas? Thanks, Mary.
This is weird because usually range balls are the hardest covered balls that can be manufactured. Range balls take much abuse so they need to stand up to the punishment. One factor which could attribute to this mystery is that if you are hitting balls off of plastic mats, this could attribute to the scuffing.
Response:
Just bought some Taylor Made Irons (clones acutally) and when I go to the golf range they eat up balls. Lots of plastic sliced into the grooves. Is this because the balls are so soft or because of the way I am hitting it. It doesn’t do it with my ProStaff’s that I use on the course? Any ideas? Thanks, Mary.
it is the consequence of the absence in quality care in the casting process. those clones have "square grooves" with a vengeance. i suggest that you take them to a repair shop for some serious buffing. a. wayne harrison