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<\/p>\nGolf balls will be undergoing new testing beginning in 2028<\/p>\n
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The R&A and USGA\u2019s plans to rollback the golf ball and reduce the distance they travel have been met with a lukewarm response with the PGA Tour a notable opponent.<\/p>\n
The plans from the game\u2019s governing bodies has been put forward in the face of ever-increasing modern driving distances in the professional game. The hope is to tackle issues around the sustainability of golf courses amid fears that some will soon become too small to host tournaments as players hit the ball further.<\/p>\n
Initially, both groups proposed the introduction of a Model Local Rule which would have seen pros use different golf balls than recreational golfers, although this received widespread opposition.<\/p>\n
However, the R&A and USGA have stuck to their guns and instead will now rollback the golf ball for both professionals and recreation players to appease opponents of a bifurcated game. The new balls are expected to see a reduction in distance of 11-15 yards for professionals, with recreational players only affected by less than five yards. <\/p>\n
Speaking after the announcement, R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers argued the measures were \u201cproportionate\u201d and will have \u201cminimal\u201d impact on recreational players but not everyone is in agreement. <\/p>\n
While welcoming changes to some of March\u2019s initial proposals, the PGA Tour said they still believe the changes to be \u201cdisproportional to the rate of increase we see when analysing PGA Tour radar data.\u201d In a letter to players, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan went further, stating: \u201cWe do not support today\u2019s announcement…believing a more moderate adjustment is appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n
The plans have also received criticism from some equipment manufacturers. In a statement, David Abeles, TaylorMade CEO said: \u201cAs a brand that prioritizes improving product performance for golfers of all skill levels, the decision to proceed with the golf ball rollback is disappointing. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhile appreciative of the opportunity to have a seat at the table and a voice in the debate, we feel like the rollback is simply disconnected from what golfers believe is best for the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Rory McIlroy has been a vocal supporter of the plans <\/p>\n
Despite the noted opposition from several groups, USGA CEO Mike Whan has stood behind the plans and urged that loud voices don\u2019t drown out the facts. \u201cThere\u2019s going to be a lot of ambulance chasers and alarmists to make this seem so much worse than it really is,\u201d he said, speaking on Golf Channel. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve run those stats, we ran it by an independent, third-party ball expert and three different ball companies, two of which quickly came back to us and said we agree with your estimate. I don\u2019t want a few loud voices that are trying to get more clicks and more viewers and more phone calls to drive a frenzy that quite frankly just isn\u2019t based in fact.\u201d<\/p>\n
And the plans have received plenty of support, most notably from Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman, in particular, put out a lengthy statement defending the plans before their official announcement and was again adamant that the proposals were in the best long-term interests of the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s all of these environmental factors that come into it – I think that\u2019s the biggest reason we should do this. But, also, from a professional that plays the game, I think it\u2019ll bring back some skills into the pro game that have maybe been lost,\u201d the four-time major champion said, speaking to Sky Sports News after the plans were made official.<\/p>\n
\u201cI actually think it will make the pro game more entertaining to watch. I think you\u2019re going to see a different variety of games succeed, it\u2019s not just going to be this bomb and gouge that we see predominantly now when you watch the top level of golf.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will bring some of the great, classic courses back into consideration when we go to Major championships. That\u2019s why I\u2019m a big proponent of just making the ball go a little shorter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite today\u2019s announcement, the plans will still not come into effect in January 2028 for professionals and two years later for recreational players.<\/p>\n