Royal & Ancient changes club rules to return challenge to rough

LONDON -- Golf's rulemaker, the Royal & Ancient, announced changes Tuesday to clubs that will make the rough more challenging and offset some of the latest technological advances.

The R&A said research it and the United States Golf Association carried out showed that grooves on modern clubs "can allow players to generate almost as much spin from the rough as is available from the fairway, resulting in a reduction in the value of accuracy."

"Our research has involved input from both governing bodies, including substantial laboratory work and player testing at all levels around the world," said Stephen Otto, research and testing director at the R&A.

The new rules will limit the grooves on club faces and will affect all clubs, with the exception of drivers and putters, with the new regulations limiting groove volume and groove edge sharpness.

Wider and deeper grooves have the ability to channel away more material, such as water or grass, similar to the tread on car tires. At the same time, sharper groove edges facilitate better contact between club and ball, even in the presence of debris.

Both new regulations will apply to golf clubs with lofts greater than or equal to 25 degrees, generally a standard 5-iron and above, with only the rule limiting groove volume applying to clubs of lesser loft.

It is intended that the new rules will be introduced at top professional levels from Jan. 1, 2010, and at top amateur levels and in other professional events from Jan. 1, 2014.

The world's top tours and the organizers of golf's major championships have all indicated their support for the new groove regulations.