Messy problem has groovy ending

A tip of the cap is in order for Ping chairman and CEO John Solheim and the clubmaker's decision to waive its rights that prevent the PGA Tour from prohibiting the use of Ping Eye2 irons and wedges that do not meet the Condition of Competition from being played at tour events.

The waiver, announced yesterday, goes into effect March 29 and puts an end to the Groovegate scandal and the possibility of someone winning the Masters with a legal but controversial club. Thanks also should be given to Phil Mickelson for bringing the U.S. Golf Association's rulemaking process under scrutiny with his decision to play the pre-1990 Ping Eye2 wedge in the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this season. Mickelson made major headlines with the move when Scott McCarron called using the wedge cheating, fueling the controversy.

Now, thanks to Ping's decision, a messy situation has come up with a win-win solution and golfers and golf fans don't have to read any more about square grooves and an unfair playing field.

Ping's waiver applies to the PGA Tour, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour. At the request of the U.S. Golf Association, the clubmaker will also apply the waiver to the U.S. Open in June. The PGA Tour will then adopt a Condition of the Competition that does not provide an exception for the Ping Eye2 irons made before April 1990.

"John Solheim and Ping had a terrific opportunity to do something very positive and significant for the game of golf and we very much appreciate his willingness to take this action," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said.

Ping and the PGA Tour stated the waiver does not take all Eye2 irons and wedges out of player’s hands as Ping has made versions of the wedges with grooves that conform to the new rule. Those clubs remain eligible for use.

“We’re thankful for Commissioner Finchem’s understanding of our position and his role in helping bring about this resolution," Solheim said. "We all believe it is in the best interests of golf. It levels the playing field on the PGA Tour and resolves a very unfortunate situation that we predicted would happen when the USGA first proposed the new groove rule more than two years ago.”

The resolution keeps in place all of Ping's other rights established in the 1993 PGA Tour settlement and the 1990 USGA settlement, including ensuring amateurs will continue to be able to play their pre-April 1990 Eye2s at all amateur events played under the USGA Rules of Golf.

The PGA TOUR and PING said they were pleased with yesterday's announcement by the USGA that it will be conducting a forum in the fall of 2010 in an effort to find ways to improve the equipment rulemaking process utilized by the USGA.

"Today's announcement by the USGA that it intends to review its rulemaking process and consider the input of all stakeholders in the game of golf demonstrates the USGA's commitment to our great game and its obligation to develop and implement rules for the game that are in the best interests of all concerned," Finchem said. "The PGA Tour will actively participate in the forum and will offer its own views on how the process may be improved."

Solheim is also encouraged by the USGA's announcement that the volunteer organization will share more information with, and seek more input from a variety of sources, including manufacturers, in the rulemaking process.

"I've been consistent in voicing my concerns over the last several years about the challenges of the current rulemaking process and the needs to improve it to the benefit of golfers," Solheim said. "I am hopeful this will be a significant first step in realizing this goal. We're looking forward to the forum and will be an active participant when it convenes sometime this fall. Our goal is to help ensure innovation remains an important part of golf's tradition."


Information from PGA Tour.com was utilized in this post.