Grooving the rules?
The start of the USPGA Tour season has been somewhat overshadowed by the debate surrounding the tools in world number 2, and possibly the greatest wedge player of his generation, Phil Mickelson’s golf bag; in a bid to restore reward for accuracy and skill to the professional game, and lessen the incentive to ‘bomb and gouge’, the powers that be have outlawed the U-shaped grooves that impart huge amounts of spin on the ball.
The professional wedges of 2010 are the old V-shaped variety, which means that spinning the ball from heavy rough will no longer be possible. However, a loophole in the rules, stating that clubs more than twenty years old are not subject to any restrictions, prompted Mickelson to add a vintage Ping Eye 2 wedge to his bag, a club that was outlawed in its contemporary days.
Events came to a head in California during the Farmers Insurance Open when a number of Lefty’s fellow competitors called his judgement into question. Led most vociferously by Tour veteran Scott McCarron, the criticism is predominantly based on the belief that Mickelson, as one of the world’s leading professionals and golfing advocates, should be more aware of his role in setting good precedents. The question remains, is Mickelson cheating, or merely bending the rules?
I think this is against the game of golf and what I believe the game is about. Simply they’ve done it to gain an advantage. I’d get them back using hickory if I was in charge!
Personally I think Mickelson has cheated…to go to the length of reverting to “vintage Ping Eye 2 wedge” is morally wrong. He has let himself down and gone against the traditions of the game of golf.
I agree with Frank Yates…bring back shot making in golf!!
Bearing in mind the Pro’s generally have to replace their wedges very frequently due to the amount of wear practising and playing unless Mickelson has an endless supply of these wedges then any potential advantage will be negated pretty soon. Did not seem to do him any favours last weekend judging by his finishing position.
Rules are rules. You play competitive games by the rules. Not sure how anyone can call it ‘bending the rules’ or ‘cheating’ when the clubs are within the rules as they are currently written. Until the rule is amended, which it may very well be, any other pro competing in a PGA event in the US can use these same wedges as Mickelson or Daly if they so desire. If your desire is to make golf ‘pure’ then you better change the rules so all players have to use exactly the same clubs, balls, gloves, tees ……
I reckon that if ‘the rules’ say clubs that are 20 years or older are allowed then Mickelson is working within them. Perhaps the USPGA should have got it right in the first place. We have all seen how a pro hits a bad shot, ball ends up in an almost unplayable lie and then suddenly out comes the rule book, a TV cable or something is discovered and before you know it, several free drops later the ball is sitting good and they have a clear line to the pin. Not cheating just using every letter in the rule book to their advantage. Now morrally speaking, that’s another matter!!!!
USPGA SHOULD OF SEEN THIS COMMING AND JUST MADE THE PING EYE2
ILEGAL TO USE END OF DEBATE .
AS FOR PHIL HE IS NOT CHEATING BUT IF HE FEELS HE NEEDS THEM
THEN HES NOT AS GOOD A GOLFER AS HE THINKS.
I DON’T THINK TIGER WOULD USE THEM ?
AT THE END OF THE DAY KNOW ONE CAN US THEM IN EUROPE .
It’s within the rules – end of story !