I decided to teach this summer at The Club at Black Rock in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho because the weather is traditionally cooler and more conducive to golf than in Phoenix. Well, the Pacific Northwest welcomed me with a stretch of rainy days that most locals have never experienced and believe me - the rain in Coeur d'Alene is a pain! I feel like Bill Murray in the movie Ground Hog Day where every day was the same only this is for real.

Putting at the US Open: This month's tip on putting and speed control addresses major factors that affected the scores at Pebble Beach because the greens were designed to be extremely difficult. Even the world's best players were challenged to the max because downhill putts were difficult to stop, uphill putts were generally left short, and side hill putts had to be delicately stroked which caused more break than was expected. In order to score well in these conditions it was imperative that approach shots stop below the hole - a feat easier said than done, particularly with the conditions at Pebble Beach.

USGA Groove Rule: I've heard a ton of erroneous information regarding the USGA's groove rule implemented this year, so here's the real deal: Clubs with a loft of 25 degrees or more must have grooves with rounded edges instead of the traditional square edges. This results in reduced spin.

Implementation and effective time frames:

• January 1, 2010 - clubs with the new grooves must be used in all major PGA tour events
• January 1, 2011 - clubs with the old groove cannot be produced, but retailers can sell existing supplies
• January 1, 2014 - clubs with the old groove cannot be used in Major amateur events and those conducted by the USGA and the R&A
  
• January 1, 2024 - clubs with the old or square groove cannot be used except for the Ping Eye 2 clubs produced between 1985 and 1989 pursuant to an agreement between Ping and the USGA

The average golfer won't be directly affected by the new rule until January of 2024. However, if the square grooves in any club subject to the new rule wear out after 2010 an exact replacement might be very difficult to locate and you will have to purchase a club with the new grooves.

Wedges: For prudent business reasons many manufacturers have already stopped making wedges with the old groove. If you like the spin produced by your wedges I recommend figuring out how long it takes for a new wedge to show sufficient groove wear to require replacement and purchase the appropriate number of them to last through 2023. You probably won't notice enough difference in your other irons to be concerned with replacing them unless their grooves show signs of wearing down. 

That's it for now.  Stay cool - hit 'em long and straight.

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