Well, I was looking for golf deals to share with you guys and i came across this promotion from TGW.com

Basically reminding us that manufactures such as Cleveland have to begin to manufacture their wedges’ grooves to conform to the new rule that went into effect at the begining of 2010 (for the Pro’s anyway).

I remember reading about this new rule this time last year and wondering what sort of effect it would have on the pro game, on my game, and even on the cost of wedges and iron sets. You figure the machine shops would have to retool or replace the equipment they use to mill the grooves, who then would pass the added costs on to the retail customer. With that thought in mind, and the slight worry that within a couple of years I would not even be able to buy a pre-2010 grooved wedge, I thought I better get one while the getting’s good!

I received a few Dick’s Sporting Goods gift cards for the 2009 holidays and had some coupons that enabled me to walk out of the store w/ a shiny new Cleveland CG15 for $52! These things are like the MacBook’s of golf, they never go on sale, and if they do, they are rarely discounted more than ten percent. I heard people tout these wedges and their performace but was always skeptical. Well, I can attest that this club literally takes the coating off the ball and stops it on one hop! But I’ll get into that in a follow up post. For now I just wanted to pass the reminder along to get one if you haven’t yet, or ask Santa!

In the interest of reminders, allow me to quote the PGA and the USGA on their current (as I write this blog) timeline regarding the adoption of the new grooves:
“January 2010 — All new products submitted by manufacturers for USGA approval must conform to the new groove rule. All PGA Tour (and the U.S. Open) events will use new grooves.

January 2011 — Manufacturers can no longer manufacture products with the pre-2010 grooves and can no longer ship products with the pre-2010 grooves. Retailers can continue to sell clubs shipped to them before this date as conforming clubs indefinitely.

January 2014 — All USGA and R&A championships will require the new grooves (U.S. Amateur, U.S. Mid Amateur, etc.).

January 2020 — The USGA will review the current rule and determine if it has had the desired effect.

January 2024 — If the USGA approves of the direction the new groove rule is taking. This is the first possible date that golfers will need to have the new grooves to post scores for handicap purposes.”

So, you have some time! However, I’m not sure how much time the old stock will be available…