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2010 GOLF GUIDE
The Republic, Columbus, Ind., Thursday, March 11, 2010
Edited by Joe Gill
New wedge rules rough to understand BY TYLER V. HOEPPNER thoeppner@therepublic.com USGA made waves last year when it announced several wedges would be illegal beginning this season because the grooves were too sharp. After rigorous testing, it was determined that wedges with spin-milled grooves were too sharp and created too much spin. As a result, shots out of the rough became easier, and shots off the fairway spun more than ever. But the rule had created a lot of confusion for the average player and headaches for golf professionals. The rule only applies to those golfers playing on professional tours. By 2014, the rule will apply to club professionals
for tournaments. The rule will not apply for amateurs until 2024. “They hear on TV that these guys can’t use the wedges they used last year. They assume they can’t use them to post their handicap scores,” Otter Creek head professional Chad Cockerham said. “It’s a situation where there are a lot of people in panic mode, and they don’t need to be because they’ve got 14 more years to use it.” The grooves on wedges tend to wear out after a few years, so a player’s current wedge won’t be of much use by 2024 anyway. However, expect manufacturers to continue to produce the spin-milled grooves for several more years, as amateurs still will be allowed to use the clubs.
But don’t get alarmed; amateur golfers not affected until ’24
SUBMITTED PHOTO
The USGA has decided that several wedges, those with spin-milled grooves, would be illegal beginning this season.
GREENBELT & ROCKY FORD PAR-3 GOLFCOURSE PGA PROFESSIONAL STEVE COHEN Golf Courses Open Weather Permitting
Greenbelt Golf Course
Rocky Ford Par-3 Golf Course
1000 N. Gladstone • 376-2684 (9 holes, Par 35)
3363 Fairlawn Drive • 376-2687 ($6.50 • 9 Holes • 7 days/wk)
ADULT (9 HOLES) ADULT (18 HOLES)
$10 (7 DAYS/WK.) $16.50 (W/CART) $16 (7 DAYS/WK.) $29 (W/CART)
18 HOLE FEES: ADULT SR. CITIZEN JUNIOR REPLAY
WEEKDAYS ONLY SR. CITIZEN JUNIOR
$13 $9
*Tee times required weekdays after 3:30 p.m. & weekends
Twilight Rate Available 7-Days Cart & Green Fee $20 After 2 p.m. Play til Dusk
GREENBELT SEASON TICKETS ADULT FAMILY SENIOR 2 PERSON SENIOR JUNIOR
$570 $770 $460 $730 $260
ADULT FAMILY SENIOR JUNIOR
$9 (7 DAYS/WK.) $7.50 (7 DAYS/WK.) $7 (7 DAYS/WK.) $6.50 PAR-3 SEASON TICKETS $325 $390 $275 $220
SEASON DUAL MEMBERSHIP (GREENBELT & PAR-3 ADULT $650 FAMILY $875 SENIOR $525 2 PERSON SENIOR $825 JUNIOR $365
• Weekly Saturday Men’s Club • Weekly Women’s Club Activities • Corporate or Group Outings can be accommodated • Golf Lessons available by PGA professional Steve Cohen (by appt. only)
Monthly Sunday Mixed Scrambles
Both courses are public facilities that cater to the walk-in golf traffic. Par-3 requires no tee times. Greenbelt requires tee times weekdays after 3:30 pm and weekends. Junior Golf - Register at Greenbelt beginning May 1st. Sessions begin June 3rd.