PORT O’CONNOR, Texas -- Modern grooves on irons, particularly wedges, are not a threat to the game of golf, Eidolon Golf President/Founder Terry Koehler recently told U.S. Golf Association Senior Technical Director Dick Rugge. Responding to the USGA’s request for comment on its proposal to completely re-write the rules regarding groove geometry, Koehler said average golfers are not using grooves to “antiquate golf courses the way the PGA Tour players are. They are using them to cope with modern agronomy, design and construction.”

Koehler is one of the golf industry’s “short game” gurus in terms of the performance and design of wedges, and is an avowed supporter of the USGA’s responsibility to the game. Eidolon was an industry leader when it began to CNC-mill grooves right to USGA specifications so that golfers could benefit from improved spin. Koehler’s patented V-SOLE Technology in Eidolon Wedges has been hailed by custom club makers and golfers alike. .

In his response to the Rugge, Koehler wrote, “The USGA has long held to the principle that if it is good for average golfers, and good for the game, then you support the evolution of equipment.” It’s quite apparent that you have determined that “the chickens are out of the hen house” regarding drivers and balls, but altering the way we make wedges is not the solution to this problem.”

By milling grooves to current USGA specifications, Koehler said, club designers help average golfers effectively deal with modern agronomy.

“Realize that most courses today have faster and firmer greens, tougher greenside trouble, deeper bunkers, etc., so getting up and down is much more difficult for the average amateur than it was 20 years ago,” Koehler wrote. “Making wedges the way we (Eidolon) do helps him or her cope with these changes in course design, construction and agronomy. In other words, as courses have changed to contend with modern technology in drivers and balls, wedges have changed to contend with the modern courses.

“Average golfers, and even the best amateurs, aren’t making a mockery of their home courses like Tour players do with the ones they play every week, but we help them have a chance to hit shots that can stay on a green and give them an opportunity to make par or bogey. Long drivers, hot golf balls and the other technology really haven’t had the effect on handicaps like they have had on PGA Tour scoring. If we all want the game to grow, we need to address the real reason people quit – they don’t get better! By giving them wedges that help that endeavor just a bit, we are serving the game, not changing it.”

For more information on Eidolon Golf and V-SOLE Technology, visit www.eidolongolf.com, www.thewedgeguy.com, www.bestwedge.com or call 512-535-3859.

Contact: Terry Koehler, TKoehler@eidolongolf.com or 512-535-3859