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EmailDORAL, Fla. – While the USGA, PGA Tour and Ping were distributing news releases claiming the grooves issue as settled after Ping agreed to a waiver of the pre-March 31, 1990 rule, it turns out that may not be the case across all of golf.
According to the U.S. Golf Association, Ping Eye2 irons manufactured before March 31, 1990, may be used in these USGA events in 2010:
• Local (1st stage) qualifying for the U.S. Open;
• U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, including their qualifiers;
• All USGA amateur championships;
• Curtis Cup match.
For future amateur events, the USGA intends to implement the new grooves condition no later than 2014.
It is unclear whether Ping will grant a waiver to the USGA to modify (such as the U.S. Open) the condition of competition prohibiting the use of Ping Eye2 irons manufactured before March 31, 1990.
Clearly, there are still some issues left to sort out.
