The effect of polishing on the skid resistance performance of grooved pavement surfaces has not been adequately addressed by researchers. This research conducted a laboratory polishing study to compare the skid resistance deterioration characteristics of ungrooved surfaces and grooved surfaces having the standard 6 x 6 x 38 mm (width x depth x center-to-center spacing) grooves. It was found that grooved surfaces received more severe polishing than ungrooved surfaces, and the initial skid resistance advantage of a grooved surface could be significantly reduced due to polishing during service. The findings suggest that even though the presence of grooves help to relieve hydrodynamic pressure when an aircraft moves on a wet grooved runway pavement at high speeds, the advantage of reducing hydroplaning and skidding risks would become less as the pavement’s service period increases. Therefore, the overall benefits of grooved pavements should be assessed at its polished state.