Spin on US Open Rough

Editor’s Note: This is the latest in a weekly Q&A feature from GOLF CHANNEL’s Chief Technical Advisor Frank Thomas. To submit a question for possible use in this column, email [e-mail]

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The Spin on US Open Rough

Frank,

I read recently that the USGA is setting up the golf course at Torrey Pines with 3 different rough heights. How will this affect the pros ability to spin the ball? Thanks for your great column every week!

--Harry, CA

Harry

Rough height does have a significant effect on the spin that the pros can apply to the ball, especially with their wedges. First you should understand that grooves play very little part in the amount of spin on the ball under dry conditions where grass does not intervene between the face and the ball--short dry fairways or off a tee on a short par three are examples of this.

It has been shown that a sandblasted face without grooves is most effective under dry conditions.

However, as soon as grass juice and water -- a lubricant-- intervenes between the ball and the face of a lofted club--which happens most of the time-- the coefficient of friction is reduced and grooves in the clubface are essential.

There are some very specific regulations controlling the size and separation of grooves which have been in place for more than 20 years and have proven to be very effective.

With reference to the USGA course setup at Torrey Pines from the intermediate rough (about 1 3/4 inches in height) new grooves will have a significant effect on the spin that the pros will be able to apply.

However from the first cut of primary rough (about 2 1/2 inches) the spin rate--even with brand new square grooves-- will be significantly reduced.

When it comes to the second cut of primary rough (about 3 1/2 inches) grooves will have very little, if any, effect on the spin which can be applied to the ball, especially if the rough is reasonably dense.

I would like to congratulate the USGA on reasonably narrow fairways with graduated rough which will put a premium on accuracy and make many of the competitors think twice about using a driver.

For your information I believe that the greens will be conditioned to roll at approximately 13 feet on the Stimpmeter which is extremely fast especially if they have dry conditions and the wind blows. For more on the Stimpmeter Click Here.

Hopefully this answer will enhance your viewing experience of the US Open.

Frank

Shaping Shots for Distance

If you tested an individual with a relatively high driver club head speed (105 mph), what shot shape would produce the longest total distance, a fade, draw or straight?

--Byron, SC

Byron,
I assume you are the individual about whom you are inquiring. If so you have a swing speed of 105 mph then you are above average and have very specific launch conditions which you should try to achieve to get maximum distance.

These launch conditions are approximately a 13 degrees launch angle with a ball spin rate of 2,500 rpm. These conditions are somewhat dependent on the ball you are using but not different enough to worry about. For more on launch conditions Click Here.

The average pro on tour has a swing speed of about 115 mph and can lower his trajectory by about a degree from yours and decrease the spin rate just a little i.e. to about 2,300 rpm.

Whatever the case, any side spin will have a detrimental affect on the overall distance, so a straight flight will always give you the maximum distance. We have all heard that a draw will go farther than a fade and this is correct in most cases because the draw generally has a lower trajectory and higher ball speed than the fade and will in most cases roll farther. However, when it comes to optimizing your launch conditions any side spin will take away from the efficiency of the launch and will detrimentally affect the distance.

We need to understand also that the optimum launch conditions assume an average flat fairway of average hardness which means approximately 25 yards of roll. If the fairway is harder then a lower trajectory may be the better condition and if you need more carry then a higher launch angle and less spin may be appropriate. But a straight shot will always be the better option.

Frank

What’s Magical About Fourteen Clubs?

Frank:

What is magical about carrying a maximum of 14 clubs? Why was this number chosen? Why not 12, or 10?

I carry 10 to at most 12 clubs at a time, it is all that I can manage effectively. I have found that carrying any more clubs just adds to the confusion, as well as the weight of my golf bag (I always walk a course if allowed). I feel that most amateurs would probably play just as effectively with less than 14 clubs, probably in the 10-12 club range. I feel that a golfer can get away with 15 yards of difference between the irons (especially 4 or 5 iron through 7 or 8 iron), as well as maybe one less fairway wood or hybrid. Driver, a reliable fairway wood or two from the fairway, a hybrid, irons 5,7,8,9, PW, GW, SW, putter and I’ll bet the average golfer’s handicap doesn’t change.

--John, MN

John,
There is no more magic in carrying the maximum of 14 clubs than buying a new driver every year. The number 14 was adopted in 1938 after the governing bodies felt that some golfers were gaining an undue advantage by carrying up to 22 or more clubs (which included some left handed clubs) and also the concern that this arsenal was becoming quite a burden for many caddies.

I, for some time, have proposed that the pros on tour ' the performance about which the USGA is most concerned and for which most performance standards are written ' should carry only ten clubs. This would not only allow them to better exhibit their skills but also delay and hopefully avoid the need to adopt new equipment standards, which will affect all of us. As important, a 10-club limit would improve the entertainment value of the PGA Tour and be the least disruptive method of bifurcation.

John, you are correct that most of us ' this includes a university team which conducted such an experiment ' would score no worse if we used fewer clubs than the full compliment.

The manufacturers dont like to hear this, as you can imagine, but the more imaginative ones are producing short (in number) sets which seem to be accepted by many golfers who themselves have learned that fewer clubs are not only easier to carry but in general perform as well or better without the full 14.

My personal experience is that at the beginning of May this year while playing in St Andrews on the Old Course ' carrying my own bag -- I had only 10 clubs and they performed very well. The advantage is that when I found myself between clubs, I would take out the longer club and make an easier swing ' which in my case is almost always a better swing than a hard full swing ' and found myself about where I wanted to be for the next shot.

I notice in your proposed set you focus on the long and short game mostly. This seems to be the best option.

John, if you havent read my book Just Hit It please get a copy as with your passion for the game you will enjoy it very much. Click Here to learn more.

Keep walking whenever you can.

Frank.

Frank Thomas, inventor of the graphite shaft, is founder of Frankly Golf, a company dedicated to Helping Golfers. Frank is Chief Technical Advisor to The Golf Channel and Golf Digest. He served as Technical Director of the USGA for 26 years and directed the development of the GHIN System and introduced the Stimpmeter to the world of golf. To email a question for possible use in an upcoming Let’s Be Frank column, please email [e-mail]