michael j cohen

In 2010, the governing body of golf (USGA), changed the rule on wedge grooves, forcing all golf club manufacturers to remake the groove patterns. Looking to optimize performance as well as durability under the new rules, I redesigned the face of Cleveland Golf's famous 588 wedges.

i. Problem

The USGA decided that state-of-the-art wedge grooves were getting too deep. too steep and gave players too much of an advantage.

Cleveland Golf had deep Zip Grooves that featured Laser engraved lines between the grooves. Not only were the Laser lines wearing off, the grooves were now illegal. Both needed to be re-designed.

ii. New Groove

Building a "spin cannon" using a ball cannon and high speed cameras, I began to optimize test parameters and outcome variables to test new groove conformations. Organizing a comprehensive groove study with vendors and technicians, I schematically determined the optimal groove design for all conditions a player might face.

I experimented with different grooves and conditions with hundreds of players. Pouring over player data, I looked at all competitor and current clubs to corroborate lab data from the spin cannon to real player data: all to design the ultimate spin creating groove to maximize friction within the new rulebook.

iii. New Lasers Milling

Laser lines give Cleveland Golf's wedges a crisp look, as well as an increase in roughness, providing an aesthetic and technical attribute. However, they wear out over time. Visiting the sand bunker everyday, I tested hundreds of laser settings and patterns to optimize manufacturability, appearance and durability.

iv. Final Production

By systematically testing laser milling, groove dimensions and milling specifications, I finalized an engineering specification that became the new Rotex Face on all of Cleveland Golf's wedges used by amateurs and professional players.