Golf Ball Limits Coming?
More changes are coming to the professional golf landscape
Are golf ball limits coming? It’s a never-ending discussion on how far the golf ball should go, but the R&A and USGA seem to have made their decision on whether to limit the distance it can travel. They proposed a Model Local Rule, opened it up for comments until August, and now it appears they’ve decided how to proceed. According to Martin Slumbers, CEO of the R&A, the ball is without a doubt going further than it was 15 years ago and will continue to do so. Slumbers has held this view for a while, but only recently felt comfortable sharing it. After releasing the distance report, he was clear that for the sake of the game, they needed to tackle this issue.
Roberto Castro on Twitter: “Just read a bunch of comments on golf ball rollback. People all over the lot, wildly differing opinions. The reality is the equipment is already regulated – and when they finally make a change (or don’t) 99% of golfers will shrug, and keep playing golf. The pros included. / Twitter”
Just read a bunch of comments on golf ball rollback. People all over the lot, wildly differing opinions. The reality is the equipment is already regulated – and when they finally make a change (or don’t) 99% of golfers will shrug, and keep playing golf. The pros included.
Proposed in March, the Modified Limited Distance Golf Ball (MLR) was originally intended for use only in elite golf competitions, with the aim of testing golf balls under conditions that match the launch characteristics of the longest hitters in the professional game. However, the PGA Tour and the PGA of America have released statements opposing the proposed MLR, leading to the possibility of players being required to use one type of golf ball in the U.S. Open and The Open, and another in the PGA Championship and PGA Tour competitions.
Augusta Support
Augusta National has also hinted at supporting the rollback ahead of the 2023 Masters. It has been emphasized that from both an environmental and a practical point of view, action is necessary. The USGA and CEO Mike Whan has made it clear that there are only three options available: to bifurcate, to change the entire game, or to do nothing. However, doing nothing is not an option, and this stance remains unchanged.
Players not on board
PGA Tour players were mostly against the MLR, but Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who came first and second in the Player Impact Program, respectively, showed their support. McIlroy even went on to say that he would use the new MLR golf ball in PGA Tour events to prepare for major championships.
Slumbers stated that the golfing community was unhappy with the Model Local Rule. Many believed that it would create an unequal game at the elite level. The PGA Tour and PGA of America were very vocal about their opposition, and several players spoke out. It was crucial for the officials to listen to the feedback.
“But our responsibility is to the long-term future of the game. Along with the USGA, the R&A is a custodian of the game. We’re responsible for our period of time, something that has gone on for hundreds of years and will go on for hundreds more. So, we are listening. And we have made a decision about what we are going to do. We’re working that through at the moment and will make it public before the end of the year.”
This comes on the heels of changes to handicapping.
USGA on Twitter: “Didn’t finish your round? No worries! This change to the WHS™ has you covered. / Twitter”
Didn’t finish your round? No worries! This change to the WHS™ has you covered.