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TaylorMade Challenging USGA Rejection
 Back in September I told you about the new wedges from TaylorMade with a replaceable face- well the USGA approved but told TM they couldn't sell them with aggressive U Grooves. TaylorMade didn't like that much- since they SHOULD be able to sell the U groove plates through 2010. The obvious thing at play here is people could "stock up" on the face plates and have them through 2024.
Wait... What?! Heck no you can't stock up on equipment you can legally play for the next 15 years! What are you thinking?! TaylorMade is challenging the ruling. TaylorMade’s argument is simple: Golf club manufacturers are allowed to produce wedges with larger, aggressive grooves during 2010, so TaylorMade should be allowed to sell face plates with the same grooves during the same period.Seems pretty reasonable to me... I still can't believe we're not actually going to be able to buy equipment after next year that has the current grooves. If we're allowed to have it in our bags until 2024 why the heck wouldn't we be allowed to buy it? I don't care if a hack amateur like me won't be able to tell the difference- it still doesn't make the ruling make any sense! Full Story Via Geoff Shackelford photo source [ comments ]  Backquak says:I really don't care about the rule either way, but if they are going to make a rule, it should go into effect in 2010 when the new rules start, and then there is no issue of if equipment can be sold or when it has to meet the rule. It should be: this is the rule, play equipment that meets that rule, or don't play in tournament golf. 11/6/09
 mjaber says:@Backquak... I think the issue is that the USGA is attempting to prevent TM from selling equipment that is not conforming to USGA spec who don't play tournament golf. 11/6/09
 Kickntrue says:@mjaber- I think it's actually worse. the USGA is attempting to prevent TM from selling equipment that is 100% conforming for amateurs for the next 15 years and that all other companies are allowed to sell until the end of 2010. Sure- you can't play the old grooves in a USGA or R&A tourney- but they are 100% legal and conforming for everyone else. 11/6/09
Backquak says:exactly the problem is there are 3 dates instead of one, simplify the rule, either do it, or don't do it. Don't make it legal for some to use but illegal for the companies to sell. It's just to complicated. 11/6/09
 trikai says:So in 2024 no large groves. Right now, 2009 everything is ok. Come 2010, last year manufactures can sell large grooved products. TM has a wedge that has large groves but a face that is replaceable. Conversation: USGA - "Cool wedge. You can sell those for sure but they have to conform to the 2024 rule." TM - "BS, the rule doesn't take effect till 2024!" USGA - "We know what you are up to. You are trying to fool us." TM - "We are trying to make money and we found a loophole." USGA - "But we caught you. Therefor no loophole." TM - "sh*t!" 11/6/09
 ayparekh says:great. next year when the 'u' grooves are on fire-sale, i will upgrade my set. :o) 11/6/09
ayparekh says:@backquak: Since when has the USGA made anything simple? They need to keep things complicated to maintain their jobs. 11/6/09
mjaber says:I still don't understand why the USGA is able to restrict what a company can manufacture and sell in the US. You can get "non-conforming" drivers on ebay, because they are manufactured for use outside of the US. I would assume the same will be for wedges from now on. I think the problem is that the USGA wants everyone, regardless of wether they have an official handicap, to play by "their" rules. 11/6/09
 kidputter says:The USGA should have NO CONTROL over what is made and sold to PRIVATE citizens for use at PUBLIC or PRIVATE recreational locations. This is like the government telling me what brand of cigarettes I'm not allowed to buy or where I smoke them... Oh wait. Bad analogy. F^ck. Who wants pie? 11/6/09
 Mjw71772 says:here is my thing, this is leading dangerously close to some bad juju. It should not be some governing bodies decision to what a private or publicly owned complany manufactures or sells to the public as long as it does not violate local, state, federal or international law. Last I checked, the USGA didnt make laws for any of those governments. There role should be the same as NASCAR's in regards to what is used in offically santcioned USGA events. Impound some clubs once in a while run your tests, and fine violators. Just because good year sells regular car tires doesnt mean you are going to see Tony Steart run to the store and get some for a race where he wants more grip. the USGA just needs to let private or publicly owned companies make what they want, and ASK them to put a DOES NOT MEET USGA specs sticker on them. That is just my thoughts on it. 11/6/09
 Wes11point5 says:I think what the USGA is doing is good. Technology is getting out of hand in this game. It is high time someone did something about it! 11/6/09
 cheymike says:LMAO @ above post....... *he says as he types away on his technologically superior computer* Perhaps a writing tablet with big chunks of wood in the paper, and a pencil the size of a pool cue?? 11/7/09
StxLax says:
I don't get it, ok so the faceplates cost like 40 bucks a piece, whats to stop the golfer from buying 10 full wedges with large groves, i bet you could get a discount. Ok So no one is allowed to make wedges anymore, haha. 11/7/09
Wes11point5 says:Cheymike, why not just use a smaller than regulation ball so that it will travel farther. Or play on a golf course with larger than regulation holes. The rules of golf (both USGA and R&A) state that you can not use a club that has interchangable parts or that you can adjust during play. 11/8/09
mjaber says:@Wes11Point5- Your statement about not being able to use a club with interchangable parts is inaccurate. There are already adjustable drivers. Also, the wedge we are talking about is legal, the question is the ability of the USGA to limit what is used for NON-USGA play. 11/8/09
Wes11point5 says:Mjaber, I stand corrected but still, if you don't play by the rules, you are not playing golf. I look forward to buying a new set of forged irons with the new grooves once they become the rule (hopefully my handicap will justify the expense). 11/8/09
mjaber says:Wes11point5... I agree that we should all play by the rules. However, the rules state that the current grooves are allowed for almost all play until 2024. Unless you are playing in the US Open, the US Amateur, or on Tour, you can use the current grooves until then. However, the USGA wants to stop everyone from manufacturing the current grooves at the end of 2009. 11/8/09
mjaber says:Correction: The US Amateur will not have the "new groove" rule enforced until 2014. 11/9/09
Mjw71772 says:As far as the changeable or moveable parts, I think the rule the PGA adapted was you can use it, just can not make adjustments to the club once you have used that particular club during the round. 11/12/09
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