There's been no confirmation from Nike Golf, but Greg Norman, usually a man in the know, says he's "heard'' that Tiger Woods is already playing with the new grooves for next year. The PGA Tour recently said it will go along with the U.S. Golf Association's proposal to put a new groove rule into affect in 2010. The new rule basically is designed to keep players from spinning the ball so much out of rough, thus eliminating at least some of the "bomb and gouge'' aspect of today's power game.
He's ob.jpg)
viously trying to get a jump on it,'' Norman said at this week's Senior Open Championship at Sunningdale in England. "Smart move. But you would expect that. If I was in Tiger's shoes, or if I was one of the leading players, I would be doing that now, too. So depends on who is willing to accept it and make the adjustments fast enough to do it. Every great player has that ability. It's just a matter of getting on it straightaway.''
The Great White Shark reiterated his belief that the upcoming groove change will bring back more shot-making to the game.
"Andy North (two-time U.S. Open Champion and current ABC golf analyst) said to both Tom (Watson) and I when we were playing (at the British Open) 'You two should be out there playing every tournament at start of next year, because it will take six months for these kids to figure out how to play with these new clubs,''' Norman said. "V-groove clubs will definitely show the difference between a shot-maker and an average just power player, because now you have to think about the shots you're going to hit.
"Now you have to think about ho w hard you've got to hit that ball out of the semi-rough. Even at Turnberry, or even around here, some of this wispy grass here, the ball will go 30, 40 yards farther than what these guys think. They will have to make the adjustment. I don't know if they are doing it now. If I was them, I would be doing it now. I would be playing the last part of the year with the new grooves for 2010, no question about it, because it's going to be a dramatic change to the game, and a great one, too, it really is. It's a positive move.''
Comments