ELMSFORD, N.Y. (February 26, 2014) - The MGA will be implementing the USGA’s recommended “Groove Rule” for the 2014 Met Open and MGA Senior Open Championships, and their respective qualifiers. This Local Rule will also be in effect for all USGA qualifiers conducted by the MGA in the 2014 season.

In the MGA’s ongoing effort to maintain consistency of play throughout the greater Metropolitan Area, the MGA Rules and Competitions Committee voted to adopt this condition only for its two professionals events. Many Met Area professionals participate in other area association events, such as the Met PGA and New Jersey PGA, both of which were recently mandated by the PGA of America to adopt this condition for the their National Championships and respective qualifiers. Moreover, the Met Area produces numerous highly skilled amateurs who compete in national championships conducted by the USGA, which, of course, has implemented the “Groove Rule.” In such a varied golf landscape, it’s crucial that the MGA remain a leader that provides a consistent playing field for its competitors and that effectively communicates with its many neighboring State, Regional and Local Golf Associations. It was in this spirit of collaboration that the MGA came to its decision.

The condition was originally introduced by the USGA in Decision 4-1/1 of the Decisions on the Rules of Golf, which states that “all models of clubs manufactured on or after January 1, 2010 must conform to the groove and punch mark specifications in Appendix II, 5c.” As of January 1, 2014, the USGA has recommended that this Condition of Competition, which applies to all clubs other than drivers and putters, be adopted only for competitions featuring highly skilled players.

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The MGA has decided to institute this condition only for the 2014 Met Open and MGA Senior Open Championships and their qualifying rounds. All other 2014 MGA events will not be affected by this decision.

“Consistency within competitions throughout the Met Area is critically important to maintaining the integrity and enjoyment of the game. We strive to ensure that every Met Area player, whether they compete in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, competes under uniform conditions,” said Rob Bluestone, Chairman of the MGA Rules and Competitions Committee.

Feel free to contact the MGA Championship Department for more information at 914-347-4653 or by email at championships@mgagolf.org.