PGA Settles With Club Manufacturer
Each side claimed victory Wednesday in an out-of-court settlement of a $100-million suit that threatened the foundation of the PGA Tour.
“We demanded the ban against U-grooves be dropped, and it was,” said Leonard Decof, attorney for Karsten Manufacturing. “We were looking for the ability to make the best club possible.”
PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman said the recognition by Karsten that the tour has “the right to make its own rules for its competitions” was the central issue.
Under the settlement, Karsten Manufacturing, which makes the popular Ping golf clubs, withdrew its $100-million suit against the tour, while the tour withdrew a countersuit against Karsten and withdrew a ban--which had never been enforced--against the use of square-grooved clubs in pro golf competition.
The controversy began in 1989, when the Tour Policy Board banned the use of the square-grooved clubs in tour competition.
The tour said at the time that the clubs produce an increased spin rate on the ball and provide an unfair advantage in competition.
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