Poulter: "the usga are insane to make us change so quickly."
/It was only a matter of time before a player would elaborate on the manufacturers concerns about grooves. In this case, it's Ian Poulter of England, Orlando and Cobra Golf fame. Thanks to reader Manny for the Tweeted comments from Poulter, writing a series of posts about the new groove rules soon after Adam Barr's report that Acushnet is trying to delay the rule change:
i tested the new grooves with vokey in feb. what a difference no spinnnnnn. the usga are insane to make us change so quickly.
i guess they were all bored sitting around that table drinking coffee and smoking cigars... get a life let us have fun on the courseit will cost the manufacturers millions to develop and distribute to all the stores global, so you AMs can get them before open qualifying
Our irons already comply, but wedges need to change for start of the year. all the best... thanks R&A and USGA softer balls here we come
The players have had plenty of time to experiment and when I've asked manufacturer reps, most players have taken little interest in experimenting, preferring to wait until this fall.
The manufacturers are pleading financial hardship because they are being forced to develop and ship new grooved wedges to their most loyal customers, who, if they are serious about tournament play, have to buy.
They've been handed a nice serving of forced planned obsolescence and they are still complaining?