Groove Changes in Golf: The winners and losers from the new rules

General / Paul Krishnamurty / 19 January 2010 / Leave a Comment

Rule changes should benefit 'real' golfers like Sergio Garcia

"With one-dimensional target golf less of an option, those players with the best shot-making skills must be licking their lips. This should favour the very best players, in particular those with the most experience of playing different types of course. Global players used to having to manufacture shots on tough British links or Australian sand-belt courses have no reason to fear the changes, whereas many Americans may now begin to regret their reluctance to travel over the years."

Romantics rejoice! New rules will reward golf's shot-makers while the bombers may find the game has moved on. Paul Krishnamurty reports

With the exception of the ongoing speculation about when we'll next see Tiger and whether he will be the same man, the hottest topic in golf right now is the new rules concerning the grooves on club faces. As Ralph Ellis discussed on these pages a couple of weeks ago, the intention of the new rules is to make backspin tougher.

In my view, its an excellent idea that will place a greater emphasis on skill and make many courses more interesting. Who will it suit, and which players should punters avoid at least until they've proven they can maintain their standing in the game in spite of these restrictions? It's early days, but I've tentatively drawn the following three conclusions.

1) Driving accuracy must become more important

It was clear from watching the play at the Sony Open that the new rules have placed an even greater emphasis on hitting fairways. Of course this has always been important, especially where penal rough is concerned, but now accuracy looks like being a significant advantage on any course. Players simply cannot get the same control on the ball from out of the rough as before. Phil Mickelson, take note.

2) Experience and course management will take precedence over power

Following on from the conclusion about accuracy, it stands to reason that course management should become more important. There's no substitute for experience in this regard, and one might equally assume that older, wiser heads will be able to adapt quicker to the need to find different ways of playing approach shots. We are already seeing more forty-somethings in contention than ever before, with the likes of Steve Stricker and Kenny Perry peaking much later than the norm, and I think we could see a renaissance from some other old stagers.

Likewise, as it seems harder to control very short-range approach shots, huge-hitting ultra-attacking types like Alvaro Quiros and Bubba Watson may need to rethink their strategy. Up and coming starlets such as Rickie Fowler will also need to learn fast in order to make an immediate impact.

3) 'Global' players should thrive

With one-dimensional target golf less of an option, those players with the best shot-making skills must be licking their lips. This should favour the very best players, in particular those with the most experience of playing different types of course. Global players used to having to manufacture shots on tough British links or Australian sand-belt courses have no reason to fear the changes, whereas many Americans may now begin to regret their reluctance to travel over the years. It may be significant that at Waialae last week, a truly great 'shot-maker' like Ernie Els wasn't beaten far despite another nightmare on the greens.

Three winners from the new rules

Robert Allenby

This may sound obvious given his recent golden run, but even without that resurgence, Allenby stands out as an obvious beneficiary. He very rarely misses a fairway or a green, and has bags of experience on several continents on all different types of golf course.

Sergio Garcia

As always with Garcia, everything will depend on whether he can overcome his putting woes, or at least limit the damage. If he can, however, these new rules play right to his strengths. Generally rock-solid from tee to green, Garcia is one of the world's great 'shot-makers'.

Michael Allen

Last year's Seniors PGA champion may remain a massive outsider for the very biggest events, but is quite capable of getting competitive in standard PGA Tour affairs. Ultra-experienced, well travelled and very accurate, he is no forlorn hope to become another fifty-something winner on the tour. Apparently, Allen has never been happier with life or his game.