Phil Mickelson, amongst others, has taken advantage of a legal loophole surrounding the USGA’s new regulation that bans square grooves on irons and instead insists on ‘V’ grooves. ‘Lefty’ has got round the regulations by putting an old Ping-Eye 2 lob wedge in his bag.
Eagle-eyed golfers and equipment experts will no doubt be aware that the Ping-Eye 2 strictly doesn’t adhere to the USGA regulations as it has square grooves. However, the Ping-Eye 2 doesn’t fall within the guidelines as Ping have a longstanding lawsuit against the USGA which was settled 20 years ago and states that any Ping-Eye 2 made prior to 1st April, 1990 is allowed.
Mickelson isn’t alone in using the Ping-Eye 2 wedge. John Daly, who collects Ping-Eye 2s in recent months used one in Honolulu earlier in the season, as did Dean Wilson. Brad Adamonis and Hunter Mahan also have played Ping-Eye 2 wedges in recent tournaments.
Mickelson had several wedges from when he played Ping clubs at Arizona State as a freshman. He and he had Callaway – his current club manufacturer – bend from a 60-degree to a 64-degree club.
Some pros, have however, criticised Mickelson and other players who have adopted Ping-Eye 2 wedges as violating the spirit of the rule and gaining an unfair advantage. Mickelson has defended himself by claiming he has submitted groove designs that are legal according to USGA specifications but have been declined for play.
Mickelson has discussed the issue with the PGA and USGA, so, while they might not meet USGA guidelines the Ping-Eye 2 is indeed a legal club and fair game for him – and others- to use, providing they can find them, as Ping are unable to reproduce the pre-1990 design.
