Woods backing groove changes

Woods: Bring on new rule

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Tiger Woods has backed a decision by the PGA Tour to bring forward by a year new rules that limit grooves on irons.

The move was due to be made in 2011 but US PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem but the ruling will now take effect from next year.

The changes are aimed at limiting the amount of spin players get from shots out of the rough, placing the emphasis more on accuracy.

And Woods says the players have had plenty of time to get used to the new club faces.

"It's great," said the world number one. "We've had plenty of time to make our adjustments. We've known for over a couple years now what this decision was going to be and we've had plenty of time to make our adjustments. All the companies have been testing and getting ready for this.

"It'll be an advantage to the guys who play spin golf balls already. Guys who play harder balls are going to have to make a bigger adjustment to the grooves.

"There are few guys who play a softer ball. I do play a pretty soft ball. I'll have to make less of an adjustment than most."

And Woods believes players with more accurate iron-play will start coming back to the fore.

"It'll be interesting seeing guys catching flyers and not being able to spin the ball back out of the rough," Woods added. "Their decision is how they play par-5s, whether they will they try and drive drivable par 4s now.

"Short-siding yourself is obviously going to pay a little more of a price."

Meanwhile, Finchem will meet with counterparts from other global tours at the Open Championship later this month to encourage a similar change on their circuits for next season.