ELMSFORD, N.Y. (March 23, 2010) – The Metropolitan Golf Association and the Metropolitan PGA held their annual Rules of Golf Workshop on March 23 at Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester, N.Y. Attended by more than 100 golf professionals, club officials and MGA committeemen, the workshop featured presentations by Dick Rugge, the Senior Technical Director at the USGA, and Mark Wilson, PGA Master Professional and co-chairman of the PGA of America’s Rules Committee.

Rugge led off the morning by discussing the impacts of equipment changes made over the last 12 years. He highlighted advancements in club technology between 1995 and 2003, when the increase in average driving distance on the PGA Tour was about 25 yards during this period. Since then, Rugge stated that the average driving distance has stabilized and even tapered off some. Rugge also noted that in the USGA’s research, average golfers enjoy and appreciate playing by the same Rules as the Tour pros, and that this demographic has no desire for a separate set of rules between recreational and professional players. “This is because people want to feel linkage between their own game and that of the Tour players,” Rugge explained.

Rugge also answered questions in regards to the new groove rule that is being enforced this year for all PGA Tour events as well as the U.S. Open, U.S. Senior Open, and U.S. Women’s Open. Rugge made it aware to the audience that although all irons must be conforming for players of all levels in 2024, the USGA is going to reevaluate this projected timeline in 2020.

Wilson, the head professional at Watermark Country Club in Grand Rapids, Mich., presented an inside look at the new and revised Decisions on The Rules of Golf for 2010. A couple of these revisions and additions that will be sure to come into play in both PGA and MGA events this season include: 13-4/0.7, Player Rakes Bunker When Ball Lies in Another Bunker, made infamous by Stewart Cink in 2008; and 4-1/1, Condition Requiring Clubs Conforming with Groove and Punch Mark Specifications Effective January 1, 2010.

The 2010 MGA/Met PGA Rules of Golf Workshop is part of a month-long program of educational forums that are designed to educate club leaders and the golfing public about a wide range of topics of interest to Met Area golfers. Topics include the Rules of Golf, handicapping procedures, new technology and MGA and MGA Foundation services and programs. For more information please contact Bob Nielsen (bnielsen@mgagolf.org) or Brian Mahoney (bmahoney@mgagolf.org) at 914-347-4653.

About the MGA: The Metropolitan Golf Association was founded in 1897 and is one of the nation’s oldest and largest amateur golf associations representing more than 500 clubs in the tri-state Metropolitan Area.  Through a network of more than 300 volunteers, and a full-time staff operating out of its “Golf Central” headquarters in Elmsford, NY, the Association fulfills its role as a true non-profit service organization. Through a variety of unique, relevant, and innovative services for member clubs and area golfers, the MGA has established itself as a leader among local and national golf organizations.