Conform to New 2010 U.S.G.A./R&A Groove Rules and Provide More Choices for Players Competing in Events that Adopt New Groove Rule as a Condition of Competition
Fairhaven, MA (October 22, 2009) – In response to the USGA and R&A rule change regarding grooves, Titleist, the most played wedge across the worldwide professional tours and the best-selling wedge line in the U.S. marketplace, introduces the new family of Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C wedges. These new “Condition of Competition” wedges provide optimum performance and shot control within the new guidelines and were developed following an intense and coordinated effort between Master Craftsman Bob Vokey, Titleist Golf Club Research & Development, and extensive player testing on the PGA Tour.
Given the USGA and R&A implementation provisions regarding currently conforming pre-2010 grooves, Titleist will produce and sell the new Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C wedges while continuing to offer the comprehensive line of current Vokey Design Spin Milled wedges introduced last fall. Titleist will manufacture and sell the previous generation “bigger groove” wedges through 2010. While the differences in launch, spin and run-out are player, technique, shot type and lie dependent, in general, Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C wedges will produce higher launch, less spin and more run-out than previous generation Spin Milled grooves.
CURRENT SPIN MILLED GROOVE PERFORMANCE vs. VOKEY DESIGN SPIN MILLED C-C GROOVE
CURRENT NEW BVSM
BVSM GROOVE C-C Groove
Launch/Trajectory Lower Higher
Spin Maximum Standard Stopping Power
Run Out Minimum Standard Run Out
Evolving from a rich heritage as the finest short game tools in golf, the new Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C line was developed from a complete set of 17 high performance wedges, spanning nine lofts ranging in two degree increments from 48 to 64 degrees, with multiple bounce options, and special tour-inspired sole grinds. The new Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C Wedges are available in the most popular non-glare Tour Chrome finish. These options create a comprehensive matrix of wedges to fit the widest possible range of player swing styles and course conditions while providing a full compliment of shot and trajectory requirements. Nine of the 17 models will be available in left hand.
“The new groove standards will put more pressure on better players’ short games,” said Bob Vokey, Master Craftsman and Senior Product Development Manager, Titleist. “It will be crucial for them to determine the most effective combinations of loft, bounce and sole grinds in their wedge set-ups. There is less room for error when players do not have as much spin as they are accustomed, and they must be much more precise in their execution. Having worked directly with tour players, club pros and better amateurs in developing these new Spin Milled C-C wedges, I believe we have covered the spectrum in regards to providing the most effective combinations for players who are required to use the new grooves under a Condition of Competition or choose to play them.”
Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C Wedges are made from soft 8620 carbon steel and feature Titleist’s advanced Spin Milled construction technology that provides superior performance regardless of groove configuration. Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C wedges have a CNC-machined perfectly flat face and precisely cut groove geometry using a new formed cutting tool that creates a tighter tolerance on both the groove size and edge radius. The face surface is also precisely machined with a series of milled micro edges resulting in higher face friction than with a polished wedge face. The resulting additional ball spin retention achieved from this higher friction is particularly advantageous on partial shots, where grooves have much less impact on spin.
“In reaction to the new groove rules we improved our Spin Milled process,” said Dan Stone, Vice President of R&D, Titleist Golf Clubs. “We created a new cutting tool that allowed us to tighten our groove manufacturing tolerances by more than 40 percent. With the new rules calling for a reduced edge radius and effectively less groove volume we improved our process to get as close to the limits as possible.”
VOKEY DESIGN SPIN MILLED C-C WEDGES FEATURES AND BENEFITS:
PITCHING AND GAP WEDGE MODELS
48.6PW with 6° of bounce
Moderate offset, medium sole width and camber, softened trailing edge for reduced turf drag
Excellent for controlled full/pitch shots from the fairway and greenside chipping
Available in right and left hand models
50.08 GW with 8° of bounce
Slight offset, medium sole width and camber, softened trailing edge for reduced turf drag
Excellent for full shots, long bunker shots and greenside chipping
Available in right hand model only
52.08 GW with 8° of bounce
Slight offset, medium sole width with enhanced camber, softened trailing edge for reduced turf drag
Versatile wedge for full shots, long bunker shots and greenside chipping
Available in right and left hand models
SAND WEDGE MODELS
54.08 SW with 8° of bounce
Medium sole width with enhanced camber, softened trailing edge for reduced turf drag
Excellent in firm conditions and for sliders
Versatile wedge that can be easily opened for a variety of shots
Available in right hand model only
54.11 SW with 11° of bounce
Medium sole width and camber, softened trailing edge for reduced turf drag
All conditions wedge
Versatile from both the sand and grass
Available in right and left hand models
54.14 SW with 14° of bounce
Medium sole width with reduced camber, softened trailing edge for reduced turf drag
Excellent in soft conditions and for digger/drivers
Versatile from both the sand and grass
Available in right hand model only
56.08 SW with 8° of bounce
Medium sole width with enhanced camber, softened trailing edge for reduced turf drag
Excellent in firm conditions and for sliders
Versatile wedge that can be easily opened for a variety of shots
Available in right hand model only
56.11 SW with 11° of bounce
Medium sole width and camber, softened trailing edge for reduced turf drag
All conditions wedge
Versatile from both the sand and grass
Available in right and left hand models
56.14 SW with 14° of bounce
Medium sole width with reduced camber, softened trailing edge for reduced turf drag
Excellent in soft conditions and for driver/diggers
Versatile from both the sand and grass
Available in right hand model only
58.04 SW with 4° of bounce, inspired by the TK grind
Medium wide sole with enhanced front-to-back camber and heel-to-toe radius for versatility
Shot-makers wedge that can be easily opened
Good in all conditions from both the grass and sand
Available in right hand model only
58.08 SW with 8° of bounce, inspired by the M grind
Medium sole width and camber, sculpted trailing edge relief for shot-making
All conditions wedge that can be easily opened
Versatile from both the sand and grass
Available in right and left hand models
58.12 SW with 12° of bounce, inspired by the M grind
Medium sole width with reduced camber, sculpted trailing edge relief for shot-making
Excellent in soft conditions and for driver/diggers
Versatile from both the sand and grass
Available in right hand model only
LOB WEDGE MODELS
60.04 LW with 4° of bounce, inspired by the T grind
Narrow sole with medium camber, reduced bounce surface with a fully relieved back for minimal turf drag
Excellent in firm conditions and for sliders
Versatile wedge that can be easily opened for a variety of shots
Available in right hand model only
60.07 LW with 7° of bounce, inspired by the E grind
Medium wide sole with enhanced camber, softened trailing edge, heel and toe for reduced turf drag
All conditions wedge
Versatile from both the sand and grass
Available in right and left hand models
60.11 LW with 10° of bounce, inspired by the TK grind
Medium wide sole with enhanced front-to-back camber and heel-to-toe radius for versatility
Excellent in soft sand/fairway conditions and for driver/diggers
Available in right hand model only
62.07 LW with 7° of bounce, inspired by the E grind
Medium wide sole with enhanced camber, softened trailing edge, heel and toe for reduced turf drag
All conditions wedge
Versatile from both the sand and grass
Available in right and left hand models
64.07 LW with 7° of bounce, inspired by the T grind
Narrow sole with medium camber, reduced bounce surface with a fully relieved back for minimal turf drag
Excellent in firm conditions and for sliders
Available in right and left hand models
SUMMARY OF NEW GROOVE RULES: The new groove regulations apply to all new clubs with 25 degrees of loft or greater manufactured on or after January 1, 2010. The objective of these changes is to limit the effectiveness of shots from the rough approximating the effectiveness of a traditional V-groove design, without mandating the use of V-grooves. Existing limits on groove width, depth and spacing will remain in effect.
The amended regulations covering grooves on clubs includes two new provisions. The first reduces the maximum groove volume by about 25% from what is currently allowed. This new restriction is technically described as the total cross-sectional area of a groove divided by the groove pitch (width plus separation) limited to 0.0030 square inches per inch.
The second new provision limits the groove edge sharpness to a minimum radius of .010 inches. There is currently no numerical minimum for edge radius in the rules. The new limit will produce groove edges that are substantially duller than allowed by the current manual test.
All pre-Vokey Design C-C wedges do not meet the design specifications of the new rule. However, current and pre-Vokey Design C-C wedges will remain conforming for most golfers until 2024.
The PGA Tour and most Tour-level competitions have indicated that they will adopt the new groove regulations as a condition of competition beginning 1/1/2010. It remains to be determined if the condition of competition will apply to qualifiers for Tour-level events.
The USGA has stated that the Condition of Competition will be adopted for its three Open (U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open) championships conducted after 1/1/10. It will also be enforced at the 2010 Sectional qualifying. It will not be in effect for local qualifying until 2011. The R&A has adopted it for the Open Championships, but not for certain of its qualifiers.
Other USGA/R&A Championships will apply the Condition of Competition beginning 1/1/14. (PGA Club Pro, major Amateur, Collegiate, State Golf Association events)
Tournament Committees at the regional, state, and local club level may adopt the Condition of Competition to require the use of clubs that conform to the new groove rule at any time.
Manufacturers may produce and ship clubs with currently conforming grooves prior to 1/1/11.
Currently conforming clubs produced and shipped by manufacturers prior to 1/1/11 may continue to be played for all rounds of golf and for handicap purposes, where the Condition of Competition is not in effect, until 2024.
The final decision regarding the status of these clubs will be reviewed no sooner than 2020. If the USGA/R&A determine at that time (or later) that the rule change should apply to all clubs, there would be a minimum 4-year implementation period.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY:
Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C wedges will be available through authorized Titleist retailers beginning November 1, 2009, with a manufacturers suggested retail price of $125. The new Vokey Design Spin Milled Wedges can be identified by “C-C” engraving on the hosel and gold paintfill in the Spin Milled logo (current Spin Milled wedges have red paintfill in the logo). Spin Milled C-C wedges will also include a face sticker that reads: “This Vokey Design wedge conforms to the new 2010 USGA/R&A groove rule and can be used in events that adopt the new rule as a Condition of Competition.”
Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra comprise the major golf brands of the Acushnet Company, an operating company of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE – FO). For more information, please contact Joe Gomes, Director of Communications, Acushnet Company (508.979.3211) or joe.gomes@acushnetgolf.com.
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