Phil Mickelson has been banned from using his controversial Ping Zing Wedge. The wedge is over 20 years old and will not be legal after 29th March.
This has come about after Ping and the PGA tour have come to an agreement. Left hander golfer Phil Mickelson has been using the Ping Eye 2 wedge for numerous years. It has been criticised as it features U-shaped grooves to generate more spin on chip shots.
The American was allowed to use the club as it fell within the rules as pre1990 Ping Wedges are allowed in tournaments. However Ping have now adjusted the ruling.
Phil Mickelson has come under extreme scrutiny from fellow professional golfers. Lee Westwood recently voiced his opinions about the world number three as he thought he was “bending the rules.” Fellow patriot Scott McCarron said that he was “cheating” but later apologised.
Ping chairman and chief executive John Solheim said his company had acted "in the best interests of golf".
He added: "It levels the playing field on the PGA Tour and resolves a very unfortunate situation."
The R&A and the United States Golf Association introduced the new groove rules on 1st January. It was brought in to stop the amount of backspin players were getting from the rough. They limit the volume of the grooves and the sharpness of their edges.
Mickelson, who boasts one of the finest short games in the sport, has described the rule change as "ridiculous".