Why This Matters
Every golfer knows the thrill of zipping a wedge back toward the pin — and the frustration of watching a “perfect” shot release 20 feet past. The difference often comes down to one thing: the condition of your grooves.
Golf Digest once ran a test that showed dirty grooves cost you spin. At Fendo, we went further. Using TrackMan data, real wedges, and real playing conditions, we measured just how much performance golfers lose when they neglect their grooves — and why it’s costing strokes where it matters most.
Our Test Setup
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Clubs: 60° wedge, fresh grooves.
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Balls: Premium tour ball (consistent cover).
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Conditions: Grass and bunker lies.
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Comparison: Clean face vs. dirty face (grass/sand/mud build-up).
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Tool: TrackMan launch monitor to capture spin rates, launch angles, and carry distances.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
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Average spin (clean face): 10,552 RPM
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Average spin (dirty face): 5,759 RPM
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Spin loss: ~45%
That’s not a small drop. It’s the difference between a ball that hops and stops — and one that skids, releases, and leaves you putting from double the distance.
Beyond Spin: What Dirty Grooves Do
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Trajectory Drift – Launch angles increase, sending shots higher with less bite.
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Distance Control Errors – Shots release farther, throwing off your yardage map.
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Feel & Feedback Loss – Dirty contact mutes your short game instincts.
Why Most Golfers Struggle Here
75% of amateurs don’t clean their clubs before or after a round. That means they’re starting each shot at a disadvantage. They’ve invested in wedges, balls, and lessons — but sabotage performance with dirty grooves.
The Solution: On-Course Groove Care
Cleaning after the round is maintenance. Cleaning between shots is performance insurance. That’s why tour pros do it — and why amateurs should too.
The Fendo Club Cleaner was built for exactly this:
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Patented bristles that dig deep into grooves.
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One-touch misting spray to loosen debris.
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Ergonomic grip for quick, one-handed cleaning on the walk to your ball.
Bottom Line
Spin isn’t magic — it’s friction. Clean grooves give you friction. Dirty grooves take it away.
If you’re serious about lowering scores inside 100 yards, make groove care as automatic as pulling a rangefinder. Because when you prep with purpose, you play sharper.
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Track your own Gapping with the Matrix below. 
