GROOVES and SPIN

[drewyallop]

#1 thing that determines spin is face roughness, not grooves. You could build a sandpaper like finish on a no groove wedge and spin the hell out of it from a tight fairway lie. Grooves are there to move debris, water and help spin the ball because you can't get clean contact. There is actually a face roughness measurement that wedges must pass it's the reason why that one insert on the diamond wedge is illegal.

Thanks Jim.

 

[wulsy]

It would have to roughness horizonally across the face though presumably. Wear tends to be vertical to the face.

 

[birly-shirly]

You may be right Wulsy - although I've never given much thought as to whether roughness is that directional. (corduroy being the exception!)

But the point isn't whether the wear is horizontal or vertical - surely any worn chrome would end up rougher in every direction than brand new chrome. Or, when you mash a ball onto the face of a club at speed - do you encounter a difference order of friction than is visible or detectable to the touch? Could shiny chrome that is smooth to the touch actually turn out to be a high friction surface in the context of impact? Is it the smoother surface that actually provides the grip - on same principal as treadless racing slicks?