The two governing bodies for golf and the people who make the rules for golf, have finally come around to slow down or limit the distance a golf ball can travel.
For decades now and what seemed like a change that was inevitable, elite golfers are hitting the ball further and tournament sites have had to react and try to find ways to lengthen courses. On the professional level, the golf ball has been allowed to become a technological marvel of aerodynamics, producing longer drives yards by the elite players.
The proposals’ objective is to reduce distance at elite levels by altering the tests that must be passed for any ball to be deemed conforming to the rules. By increasing robotic testing speeds and altering other test parameters, the governing bodies effectively will require a slower, shorter golf ball to comply with the Model Local Rule. It will then be up to any event or tour to adopt the Model Local Rule.
The MLR is intended for use only in elite competitions and, if adopted, will have no impact on recreational golf.
The proposal notice was sent to golf equipment manufacturers on March 13, following the Equipment Rulemaking Procedures established by the governing bodies in 2011. Manufacturers and golf stakeholders can provide feedback until Aug. 14, 2023. If adopted, the proposal would take effect on Jan 1, 2026.
Golf balls that conform to the MLR must not exceed the current Overall Distance Standard (ODS) limit of 317 yards (plus 3 yards tolerance) at modified Actual Launch Conditions (ALC) with a clubhead speed of 127 mph and based on a calibration setup of 11 degrees and 37 revolutions per second (2,220 rpm) as part of this proposal.
All other balls, including those typically used by recreational golfers with lower swing speeds, would continue to be tested using the existing ALC values (120 mph, and a calibration setup of 10 degrees and 42 revolutions per second – 2,520 rpm). The current ODS limit of 317 yards will remain unchanged and would be applied to both testing setups.
The Overall Distance Standard was established in 1976 as a ball test intended to reflect maximum potential hitting distance by the longest hitters currently playing the game.
There is a direct correlation between clubhead speed and hitting distance (further research having been published in the Distance Insights reports). Over the last 20 years hitting distance has increased on average by around 1 yard per year.
The modified testing setup in the proposed MLR is expected to reduce hitting distance by 14-15 yards on average for the longest hitters with the highest clubhead speeds.
“Hitting distances at the elite level of the game have consistently increased over the past 20, 40, and 60 years. It’s been two decades since we last revisited our testing standards for ball distances,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “Predictable, continued increases will become a significant issue for the next generation if not addressed soon. The MLR we are proposing is simple to implement, forward-looking and does so without any impact on the recreational game. We are taking the next steps in this process, guided first and foremost by doing what’s right by the entire game.”
Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, said, “We have worked closely with the golf industry throughout this process and taken time to listen carefully to their perspectives and reflect on the helpful and constructive feedback they have provided. At the core of our proposal is a desire to minimize the impact on a flourishing recreational game. We believe the proposed Model Local Rule will help us move forward in a way that protects the inherent qualities of the sport and reduces the pressure to lengthen courses. This is an important issue for golf and one which needs to be addressed if the sport is to retain its unique challenge and appeal.”
Naturally the reaction to the proposed change has mixed feelings.
The PGA Tour said: “We continue to work closely with the USGA and The R&A on a range of initiatives, including the topic of distance. Regarding the Notice to Manufacturers announced today, we will continue our own extensive independent analysis of the topic and will collaborate with the USGA and The R&A, along with our membership and industry partners, to evaluate and provide feedback on this proposal. The Tour remains committed to ensuring any future solutions identified benefit the game as a whole, without negatively impacting the Tour, its players or our fans’ enjoyment of our sport.”
Acushnet, which produces Titleist and FootJoy equipment, also released a statement, saying this bifurcation would divide golf between elite and recreational play, add confusion and break the linkage that is part of the game’s enduring fabric.
“Playing by a unified set of rules is an essential part of the game’s allure, contributes to its global understanding and appeal, and eliminates the inconsistency and instability that would come from multiple sets of equipment standards,” said David Maher, president, and CEO of Acushnet. “Unification is a powerfully positive force in the game, and we believe that equipment bifurcation would be detrimental to golf’s long-term well-being. As a result, we will actively participate in this conversation with the governing bodies, worldwide professional tours, PGA Professional organizations, amateur associations and federations, and golfers, in an effort to contribute to the continued enjoyment and growth of the game.”
Justin Thomas has said proposals to introduce a distance-reducing ball is “selfish” as well as “biased, incorrect and self-centered,” and has questioned what benefit it will bring to the game.
LIV golf player Bryson DeChambeau has derided the idea saying “”It’s a great handicap for us guys that have worked really hard to learn how to hit it farther. Look, if they do it in a way where it only affects the top end, I see the rationale. But I think it’s the most atrocious thing that you could possibly do to the game of golf. It’s not about rolling golf balls back; it’s about making golf courses more difficult.”
Even if everything goes smoothly for the USGA and the R & A, the new golf balls with 15% less distance won’t hit the golf courses of the PGA Tour until Jan. 1, 2026. That should be plenty of time for the various organizations involved in the change to talk to each other and hammer out whatever differences there are. And there will be differences.
Recreational golfers have nothing to worry about and nobody will take your distance away. Hit the ball as far as you can.
Expect major lobbying from golf manufacturers who want recreational golfers playing and buying the same ball as their favorite tour player. Golf manufacturers spend vast sums of marketing dollars on player sponsorships and want recreational golfers rushing to their local pro shop to buy the same product the tour players use.
Tournament courses will welcome the change as they will not need to find new land for longer tees or make major changes to holes. Expect a considerable amount of debate and discussions over the next year.
