Richie Ramsay wedges out of deep rough (Visions in Golf)
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There's been a lot of grooving and grinding at this week's US Open at Oakmont, we're told. And we're not talking dancing!
The state of the deep rough, made even more hazardous by the liquid manure sprayed on it in the build-up to the event and compounded by overnight rain on Wednesday prior to the first round has led players rushing to the Tour equipment vans which flank the practice ground.
Sharpened grooves in their wedges - some carry four - more loft added and bounce ground off the steel flanges are the main requests.
Said one technician: "The rough is so deep and thick, especially around the greens, that players are having difficulty digging the ball out and getting enough loft and spin on it to stop it."
It's within the rules to replace worn grooves with new ones - or supply new heads, as well as adding loft. Phil Mickelson is among dozens carrying a 64-degree wedge this week (as opposed to a regular 60 degree lob wedge) while others are sharpening the leading edges of their most lofted clubs, to get to the bottom of a ball they are addressing but often can't even see.
The bounce, the moulded flange on the bottom of the club, is also a factor. While it may help to have 8-10 degrees of bounce on the club when playing out of sand, it's inappropriate to use the same club from clinging rough when finesse is required. Technicians have been grinding it away to make the club easier to handle from the rough.
