Last week in the Golf forum, members engaged in discussions ranging from historical golf technologies to modern course design. The conversation around the earliest valve-in-head irrigation system revealed some intriguing insights into the evolution of course maintenance. Meanwhile, a discussion on wedge textures sparked curiosity about performance in wet conditions. Members also explored the history of the Stimpmeter, reflecting on its impact on the game. Finally, eco-friendly course designs were debated for their potential to simplify the learning curve for newcomers.
This Week’s Hot Topics
Earliest valve-in-head system on a U.S. course
This discussion uncovers the roots of irrigation technology in American golf courses, highlighting how early innovations have shaped today’s practices. Read more
Wet-spin wedge texture experiment
If you’re curious about how wedge textures hold up in wet conditions, this thread delves into recent experiments and their implications for golfers. Read more
When did the Stimpmeter go official
A historical look at the adoption of the Stimpmeter, this topic reveals its influence on standardizing green speeds across courses. Read more
Do eco-friendly layouts make learning easier
This discussion evaluates whether environmentally conscious course designs can make the game more accessible for beginners. Read more
Thanks for staying engaged with us. Looking forward to another week of insightful conversations and shared knowledge.
In the rain, the “wet-spin” wedge texture helps a bit, but , nothing beats a truly dry face — tests like MyGolfSpy show big spin drops: https://mygolfspy.com/labs/how-much-spin-do-you-lose-in-the-rain/. I keep a small towel under the umbrella and wipe the ball and face right before the swing; on partials I get way more check than if I just wipe once at the bag. Call-back to last week’s valve-in-head irrigation thread: precise watering’s great, but if you can’t keep it dry, take one more club and flight it lower.
And , after last week’s irrigation chat, I’m still fighting water on the face — my best wet-weather wedge tip is a small towel in a Ziploc in my pocket to dry the ball and grooves, then hit a flighted 3/4. The texture patterns help a touch, but if the ball’s wet it’s still a big spin drop; this test shows it: https://mygolfspy.com/labs/how-much-spin-do-wedges-lose-in-the-wet/. Anyone else stash a backup towel under the umbrella and swap it every few holes?
I’ve had the best luck with a small chamois clipped under the umbrella — quick pinch on the ball and face before a wedge keeps enough grab. @m_russell88 your pocket towel tip is money, but the chamois still works when microfiber turns slick — ever try that?
When it’s wet, I ditch the 58° and play a ‘knockdown gap wedge’ with the ball a touch back and a shorter follow-through to launch it lower and get predictable release. It won’t spin much, but I’ve found it beats a high, glidey lob if the face is reasonably clean, @m_russell88.
Quick tip that’s worked for me: I keep a raw-face 54° for rain and use my rain glove to “wipe the windshield” — one quick swipe on the face and ball as I pull the club, then a slightly steeper, shorter swing for a flatter flight. If it’s really dumping, I just plan for a few extra feet of release.
On really wet days I rotate two balls and keep one under the umbrella, and right before a wedge I use a stiff-bristle toothbrush to clear the face and grooves — glamorous as brushing your teeth between shots, but it keeps the ‘microtexture’ working. If you want the nerdy proof, MyGolfSpy’s wet wedge test backs it up: https://mygolfspy.com/wet-wedge-test/. Small caveat: worn grooves get exposed in rain, so sometimes the smarter play is a lower, chase-on shot, @turf_tech.
I carry a small chamois square and use it to squeegee the clubface and ball right before a shot — it pulls water off better than a towel and keeps my 56° spinning in light rain. The laser-etched texture helps in drizzle, but if it’s really coming down I stick with a higher-bounce 56° and keep the face square to reduce “hydroplaning.” Funny tie-in to the “valve-in-head irrigation” bit — too much water is still the great equalizer out there.
@j_parker77 One thing that helped me: I keep a “rain wedge” that’s newer/rougher and swap to it because a worn face loses a ton of spin once water gets involved — like trying windshield wipers with bald blades. Not magic, but paired with a quick wipe it keeps partials from knuckling; MyGolfSpy’s wet test backs it up: https://mygolfspy.com/labs/the-wet-test-wedges/.
I’ve had better results in drizzle by taking one more club and hitting a 3/4 knockdown so I’m not relying on face texture for spin — “one club up, 3/4” is my rain rule. @j_parker77 is right about fresh faces, but if the rough’s juicy expect it to release like a bar of soap and pick a safer landing spot.