Is a rule a law? Or is there a “spirit of the rule” that over-rules the rule? In other words, do you follow the words of the law or do you do the idea that you think you “know” what the law means? Or what if the new rule benefits your game, and will handicap another golfer by the limit it imposes upon his game. In that case do you whine when someone has a legitimate way around the rule?

Let me explain, there is a new rule, everyone knew the rule was coming. January 1, 2010 the new rule went into effect and it limits the size of grooves on clubs with lofts greater than or equal to 25 degrees. But there is an exemption written into the rule that exempted wedges made before 1990. It has to do with a lawsuit against the PGA Tour and the USGA by Ping company.
So here comes Phil Mickelson who is one day of golf into the new year. Phil has found some Ping Eye 2 wedges that fit into that exception. Now, I love Rocco Mediate and all the guys on the Tour, but they are crying foul that Phil is violating the “spirit of the rules. Grow up Rocco.

Here is a quote from PGATour.com posted Jan. 27, 2010: “GROOVES ISSUE: Mickelson said his bag will include a old Ping-Eye 2 wedge that remains legal to use despite the USGA’s regulation requiring more of a V-shaped groove. John Daly and Dean Wilson are other players who found Ping wedges that were legal under an settlement with the USGA in 1990 about square grooves.

Mickelson said he consulted both the USGA and the PGA TOUR and that “the only thing that matters is are they approved for play. So I don’t feel that there’s any problem if I were to play those clubs or if anybody else were. All that matters is that it is OK under the rules of golf.”

Mickelson played at Arizona State near the Ping headquarters and thus had “a bunch of sets.” He said he took a 60-degree wedge and bent it to 64 degrees. He will maintain a Callaway 60-degree wedge in his bag.”

So, there will be some whiners who will claim Mickelson, Daly and Wilson are cheating. Too bad. I think this is the most ridiculous restriction (read: self-inflicted wound) that “GOLF” has inflicted on itself. Obviously, there are some golfers who cannot use the banned wedges to their advantage; so they get the PGA and Royal and Ancient golfers to make regressive rules. Then they whine and cry and bully golfers who have every right to use the equipment they have