Arnold Palmer's View on Grooves

Dear Frank,

I was watching the golf today on TV, Bay Hill Championship, and they were interviewing Arnold Palmer. Johnny Miller brings up the subject of the new groove rule and said to Mr. Palmer "I know you have been working with the USGA on the new rule." Mr. Palmer said yes he was and thought it was good because it would make playing from the rough more difficult for the pros. You are correct, the USGA is changing the rule because of the top 1/10th of 1% of all golfers.You should contact Mr. Palmer and share your thoughts with him, as well as all the people who have contacted you. Thanks for the weekly Q&A, I enjoy reading it.

Cheers,
John

John,
Thanks for your kind comments about the column.
I really do appreciate your support of the game and concern about the effect the groove rule change will have on the game as a whole. It is very clear that the average golfer is not causing the problem but is suffering the consequences of the change.

The real problem is that the USGA is not providing any evidence that the change will solve the problem – assuming there really is a problem which needs to be solved – nor is it being transparent about why it has not tried other less drastic alternatives, such as, adopting a local rule for the pros, until such there is evidence that the problem has been solved.

I did not hear Mr. Palmer’s comments but I am sure he does not intend to affect all golfers by his endorsement of the change, and if confronted would also suggest a trial period to prove that the change is good for the game.

I know that most of the pro golfers do not want the golfing public to suffer the consequences of this change unless it is going to be good for the game, and I believe that Arnold Palmer is one of these professionals.

Thanks for your concern.
Frank