Unless you've been studying global warming in Antarctica for the past couple years, you probably know that the USGA decided that the square grooves we have all become accustomed to will no longer be manufactured as of December 31st, 2010. Forget the fact you can keep playing the wedges you have. You won't be able to buy them with the grooves you're used to after this year. Okay, technically you can buy whatever your local retailer might have in inventory from this year, but once the supply runs out, that's it. So, what will this do to your short game? Without commenting on the effect your skill plays in the spin equation, we decided to put our TrackMan to use and take some measurements with conforming and non-conforming grooves using Callaway Tour i balls and Callaway range balls. Here are the results:

As expected, the 'old' non-conforming grooves generated more spin than the conforming grooves using soft, urethane cover balls. The effect on harder covers is a bit of a surprse, perhaps a testing anomaly. Nonetheless, there is a measurable difference. Whether or not you notice any effect is more likely going to be dependent on skill and technique.

If you like the 'old' grooves, buy them while you can!

This past Tuesday, June 8th, I had the privilege of attending a unique golf event. Held at The Olde Farm in Bristol, Va, this event set a goal to raise more money for charity in a single event than any previous event. The event raised $15.1M.

How do you do this? I don't honestly know how you raise that much money, but the main attraction was the opportunity to see Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Arnold Palmer play 18 (actually 19) holes against 19 3-man amateur teams.

Depending on your age, the Big 3 might represent the golf heroes of your youth. Perhaps you played imaginary rounds against Jack or Arnie, always for a major, and always a nail biter as you came to the 18th hole. If so, this one day might have been the last best chance to see these three playing together one final time. Unfortunately, time waits for no one. Not even our heroes.

Despite the toll that age inevitably takes on our swings, it was interesting to see how recognizable each swing has remained. Most remarkable, is the still fluid and flexible swing of Gary Player - I hope I can still swing so freely when I'm 81! There were television crews at the event, and I'm told that there will be a televised special prior to one of the weekend time slots for the John Deere Classic. I hope so, because every golfer should get to see Jack, Gary, and Arnie together, one more time.

At a recent demo day I had the opportunity to measure a TaylorMade R9 SuperTri against a Callaway FTiZ iMix. What is unique about this test is that the shaft in both drivers is the same Mitsubishi Fubuki Alpha, same weight 63grams, same Stiff flex, same loft at 10.5* and both drivers had open face angles within .5* of each other. And, the same golfer used both drivers. The shaft in the TM was tipped 1/2", the shaft in the Callaway was tipped 3/4". Tipping is necessary with both designs to prevent a softer than desired flex from occuring. So, the only real variable is the clubhead itself.  

I do not work for Callaway or TaylorMade. I have never worked for either company. In the last 10 years, I have played more TM drivers than Callaway drivers. I still have a 'Pittsburgh Persimmon' TM driver from eons ago. Lastly, I don't receive a penny in advertising fees from any manufacturer.

Just a couple days ago Mitsubishi released the latest installment to the now formidable Fubuki lineup. If our test is any indicator, the Fubuki AX Fairway Wood shaft may be the best thing since sliced bread. Perhaps the most difficult club to get right, the 3-wood poses some unique challenges. Used off a tee and most golfers can outdrive their drivers. Used off the deck and ugly things tend to happen. To a limited extent, low-profile heads helped, albeit at the expense of playability in the rough. The fundamental question for this review is whether or not a shaft can make a difference and, if so, how much of a difference. Testing used a stock Callaway 15* Diablo Edge Tour 3-wood and a 15* Diablo Edge Tour 3-wood with a Stiff 75g Fubuki FW shaft. The Diablo Edge Tour is longer and straighter than last years model, so it presents a reasonable  test reference for comparing an aftermarket shaft. Winds were gusting quite a bit into the golfer, so the Normalization function was used on TrackMan to get a better idea of expected distance under calmer conditions.