Monday, December 01, 2008

last updated: August 13, 2008 01:57:38 AM

The United States Golf Association says it targets PGA Tour professionals in its new restrictions on grooved irons. The remaining 98 percent of the golf world, the USGA insists, will not be affected.

That may or may not be true.

First, the facts:

The USGA, in conjunction with the Royal & Ancient, announced last week it will reduce the depth of grooves and reduce their sharpness. Why? It wishes to restore the challenge of shots out of the rough -- which world-class players have largely conquered -- by softening the grooves and, thus, reducing backspin and control. All clubs with lofts equal or greater than 25 degrees (generally, 5-irons and above) will be adjusted.

"Our research shows that the rough has become less of a challenge for the highly skilled pro and that driving accuracy is now less of a key factor for success," said Dick Rugge, the USGA senior technical director. "We believe that these changes will increase the challenge of the game at the Tour level while having a very small effect on the play of most golfers."

The rules apply to clubs manufactured after Jan. 1, 2010, the same year the USGA will enforce its new regulations. The U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open will be contested with the new grooves from that year forward, while other amateur championships won't work in the new rules until Jan. 1, 2014. Don't stress about finding new clubs that conform. Clubs manufactured before 2010 will continue to be considered legal until at least 2024.

That said, change is on the way. Grooves have been an issue for decades and the USGA has performed tests the last three years.

"They're going to go more old-school, more like the clubs made in the 1970s and '80s," Creekside head pro Larry Alvarado said. "It will affect Phil Mickelson and the things he does, but they'll figure out a way to hold a 5-iron shot out of the rough."

The rank and file is not subjected to four-inch rough, nor can most players impart major backspin. That doesn't necessarily mean, however, that the average player won't feel the impact of the rewritten rules.

John Vander Borght, an official for the Northern California Golf Association, believes the grooves adjustment could trigger a dramatic chain reaction.

"Say the pros come back to the manufacturers and say, 'We need a ball with more spin,' " Vander Borght said. "Then we'll have golf balls that spin more, fly higher and don't travel as far. The USGA might achieve what it desires without rolling back the (distance capacity of the) golf ball."

The potential byproducts are new spin-enhanced golf balls, shorter rough and pros who place greater value in a straight drive. That's a decent response in the era of the 350-yard tee shot.

A final question: The USGA wouldn't change the rules to spur a stagnant golf-equipment industry, would it?

ADVICE FROM ARNIE -- Turlock High senior Sam Smith, bound for the U.S. Amateur to be contested Aug. 18-24, was given some memorable advice about Pinehurst No. 2, the event's famed venue. Unless you think that a conversation with Arnold Palmer would be easy to forget.

Palmer spoke Sunday night in San Francisco, the day before a tribute tournament for the former longtime Cypress Point pro Jim Langley. Smith was introduced to Palmer, who soon learned the 17-year-old Turlock star had qualified for the Amateur.

"He told me to aim for the center of the greens because they're all upside-down bowls," Smith said. "It was a lifetime experience. He's a very nice man and my ears were wide open."

Smith qualified with rounds of 70 and 69 last month at Fresno's Fort Washington, good for a tie for second and one of the three available berths for the Amateur. Merced's Ron Ewing, a reinstated amateur, missed by a stroke and was a first alternate.

"Going to the Amateur will be a great way to finish the summer," Smith said.

JUNIOR ROUNDUP -- Paul Smith, Sam's younger brother, won the 14-15 age group at the NCGA Junior by shooting 75-76-74--225 at Lake Merced CC. Sam Smith (77-72-74--223) placed fourth overall, and Fredrik Palmer of Modesto was 16th. Belen Hernandez of Merced finished ninth in the girls division and Julie Shutler of Manteca was 13th. ... Clovis' Bryson De Chambeau, a former Modestan, continued his strong summer by posting 66 and 69 to win the Turlock CC Junior. ... Modesto's Daniel Covrig, a member of the four-man Northern California team, shot 72 and 80 during the recent Junior America's Cup tournament at Royal Oaks CC in Vancouver, Wash. The team, led by captain Ken Miller and co-captain Shane Balfour of McHenry Golf Center, placed eighth in a field of 17.

Bee sports columnist Ron Agostini can be reached at ragostini@modbee.com or 578-2302.

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