Golf's governing bodies are at loggerheads with the PGA Tour and top gaming equipment manufacturers after announcing their decision to go back how far can fly ball.
A few minutes after Royal & Ancient (R&A) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) announced that the new rules will affect both professional and amateur golf around the world. The PGA Tour sent a memo to its members saying, «We do not support today's announcement.»
There was no mention of the possibility of legal recourse by the PGA Tour and especially the DP World Tour, which said: “We respect this decision,” but the powers that be are clearly ready for a fight.
“There will be a lot of ambulance chasers and alarmists who will make the situation look much worse than it really is,” said Mike Whan, USGA executive director. “I don’t need a few loud voices trying to do more.” clicks, more viewers and more phone calls to create a frenzy that, frankly, is not based on fact.»
Ensuring golf balls travel shorter distances is considered a radical but much-needed step to protect classic layouts like the Old Course. This announcement will affect both top professionals and weekend hackers, known as a rollback. The rules will be introduced in 2028 for professionals and in 2030 for others.
Rory McIlroy tees off but, like all golfers, can expect to lose some distance after converting the putback. Photo: Getty Images/Warren Little
Golf lawmakers expect new ball-testing speeds to reduce the distance between power hitters by 13 to 15 yards, while they say that for most amateur golfers the impact is on distance will be minimal, five yards or less.”
In the same announcement, the R&A and USGA also said they plan to reduce benefits for golf drivers.
Since the news leaked over the weekend, Wednesday's announcement was not surprising, but that doesn't mean anger was in short supply. But with the support of two of the greatest male professionals of all time — Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods — as well as Rory McIlroy, the most recognizable of the current top ten in the world, the R&A and USGA are determined to stay afloat.
They are responsible for enforcing the Rules of Golf, and if anyone — from professional tours to elite amateur competitions and the tens of thousands of golf clubs around the world who hold weekly medal competitions — wants to comply with them, then they must ensure that only compliant balls are played. used in competitions.
“We are convinced that this solution is one of the key ways to achieve a sustainable future for golf, protect the integrity of the game and meet our environmental responsibilities,” Martin Slumbers, R&A CEO, said.
“The measure we are taking has been carefully considered and calibrated while maintaining the 'one play' principle that is considered so important to the golf industry. Importantly, this also keeps exposure to recreational golfers to an absolute minimum. We act now because we want future generations to be able to enjoy the unique game of golf as much as we do.”
Slumbers cited industry opposition to the original plans, which effectively called for separate rules for elite golfers and recreational golfers. The R&A and USGA have long stated that “inaction is not an option.” That way, everyone can play by the same rules.
McIlroy: The environmental impact is significant.
If the PGA Tour was quick to dissent, McIlroy was almost as quick to give his approval.
“Golf courses are getting longer, requiring more and more space, and how sustainable is that?” He said. “They need more water to sustain life, and all sorts of environmental factors influence that. I think that's the main reason why we should do this.
“But as a professional who plays this game, I think it will just bring some skills back into the professional game that maybe were are lost and I actually think it will make the program more interesting to watch. I think you'll see success across a wide range of games. It won't just be bombs and explosions that we see mostly now.
“And it will bring some great classic tracks back into the spotlight when we go to the major championships. You know, that's why I'm a big proponent of the ball being a little shorter.»
Questions and answers. Why are recreational games included in these new ball rules?
Initially, the R&A and the United States Golf Association planned to introduce restrictions in the form of a “Model Local Rule” that would apply only to professional tournaments and elite amateur events. But during the consultation period, the PGA Tour and PGA of America joined the equipment manufacturers in opposing the proposed «bifurcation of the sport.» Therefore, the governing bodies called their bluff and decided to implement it on all fronts.
What is “bifurcation”?
This word means dividing something into two branches or parts. In this case, it is essentially a situation in which, due to the rules, professional and amateur golfers will use different equipment. Of course, the dichotomy already exists because top professionals have equipment specifically designed for them, but romantics argue that black and white equipment will break the bond between hackers and superstars, meaning all golfers will be able to play the same courses. , in the same conditions and with the same equipment as the players on TV.
Why were the R&A and USGA ready for a “bifurcation”?
Because they don't believe that the average golfer achieves enough to compromise classic courses, and that conventional layouts don't pose much of a risk to the environment.
So what do they bring?
In simple terms, a “shorter ball” that will travel 15-20 yards less for the largest drivers. Opinions vary, but governing bodies insist the impact on recreational golfers will be minimal, with balls hitting off tees up to five yards shorter. The shorter the iron, the smaller the loss.
Can they achieve this?
Obviously not in a midweek game between friends, but if golf clubs want their competition to comply with the Rules of Golf — and the vast majority will do out of a desire to remain within the World Handicap System — then they will have to follow the rules.
Does this mean that tons of balls will be thrown away at a huge cost?
Almost certainly not. The rules won't be implemented until 2030, at which point equipment manufacturers will have had new balls on their shelves for several years (the rule will be introduced for professionals in 2028). There will inevitably be arguments within clubs over players using their old Pro V1s — either for cost reasons or to gain an advantage — and the odd disqualification will occur. In truth, by the end of the decade the old balls will mostly be thrown away or lost.
Will this have an impact on the participation rates that have skyrocketed since Covid?
That's what the critics say. But as Rory McIlroy says: «I really don't believe that losing the enjoyment of five yards will affect the enjoyment of an amateur player.» Another view is that professional golf will become less one-dimensional and will inspire more beginners.
How are golf balls tested for compliance?
To decide whether balls comply with the new rules, they will be tested under the following conditions, which are considered optimal for maximum swing length: Clubhead speed of 190 mph (equivalent to ball speed of 183 mph); The rotation speed is 2220 rpm and the launch angle is 11 degrees. The old conditions, set 20 years ago, are set at 120 mph (equivalent to a 176 mph ball speed), 2520 rpm with a 10 degree launch angle.
The revised terms are based on an analysis of several years of world tour and playing data. They are intended to ensure that the overall distance standard, the cap of which will remain unchanged at 317 yards with a three-yard allowance, continues to reflect the abilities of the longest hitters in the game.
Ball Speed Analysis of Players Longest Hitters in golf in 2023 show that the 10 fastest players had an average ball speed of 186 mph, and the average ball speed of the 25 fastest players was 183.4 mph (the average speed of the fastest players is 190 mph).
Longest hitters — The new balls are expected to reduce the distance by 13-15 yards. The average professional and elite men's player is expected to see a reduction of 9-11 yards, and the average LET or LPGA player is expected to see a reduction of 5-7 yards. The test speed change is expected to have a minimal impact on distance (five yards or less) for most recreational golfers. Research shows that the average swing speed is 93 mph for male golfers and 72 mph for female golfers.
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