PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- The PGA of America Board of Directors approved two items related to tournament competition on Feb. 26, 2009, during its meeting in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Beginning in 2010, The PGA will adopt new equipment rules governing groove specifications as a condition of competition for the PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship and PGA Grand Slam of Golf. The PGA has also recommended the adoption of the condition for the 2010 Ryder Cup which is under the direction of Ryder Cup Europe as host administrator.

Furthermore, The PGA has recommended that the 41 PGA Sections that make up The PGA of America do not adopt the condition of competition for their events in 2010.

In addition, The PGA's Board approved the use of distance measuring devices in the National Championship of The McGladrey Team Championship, the first nationwide grassroots best-ball amateur championship conducted by The PGA of America, beginning in 2009. The Championship will be conducted Oct. 26-28 at Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort.

"We are supportive of the new groove specifications for elite players of the professional game and will incorporate this into the conduct of our major championships that involve touring professionals," said PGA President Jim Remy. "With 28,000 men and women Professionals in 41 geographic sections who serve the nation's 29 million amateur golfers, we did not feel it was necessary to adopt the condition for club professional events and local play at this time. The decision to allow distance measuring devices at The McGladrey Team Championship recognizes the growing use of this technology in day-to-day play and amateur competition."