“Rolling Back” the Golf Ball Has Been Met With Plenty of Hostilities

Last week, the USGA and R&A announced a Proposed Model Local Rule (MLR) that contemplates a ball bifurcation: male golfers competing in “elite competitions” would be required to use a golf ball that will—through design compliance—fly ~15 yards less (but perhaps even more than that) than the current ball offerings.

The MLR was promptly met with hostilities, with critics hailing from the PGA TOUR to some of golf’s largest, tenured brands, including Titleist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Shortly after the rule announcement, several players shared their frustrations. Justin Thomas was particularly critical of the USGA and MLR, claiming that many decisions are made “that aren’t for the betterment of the game, although they claim it.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thomas’ statement may seem like a hot take, rumors are swelling that the MLR is merely the first, hidden step towards reeling in golf ball (and perhaps other equipment) distances.

If this, in fact, the true intent, it is very troubling that when golf is finally experiencing some growth (largely due to the COVID spike), the USGA and R&A are looking to make an already very difficult game even more difficult.

Sam Burns (14th in the current world golf rankings), likewise, was not a fan of the MLR, describing it as “pretty silly,” and noting that professional golf is an entertainment product, and that the viewing public “enjoy watching guys go out there and hit it 350 yards.”

And nobody can say Burns is wrong; just look at how much hype surrounded the 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational when Bryson DeChambeau made numerous attempts at driving the par-5, 6th hole.

Speaking of Bryson, golf’s Incredible Hulk also had some negative feedback on the MLR: “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.”

Bryson’s point, however, proved itself true just moments after the MLR’s announcement, when more than 60% of the field at the Valspar shot over par (following round one).

Sunday’s winning score was Taylor Moore’s ten under par. For comparison purposes, golf’s proclaimed fifth Major—THE PLAYERS—played, arguably, significantly easier, with Scottie Scheffler finishing at seventeen under.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Another thing that’s being overlooked is what long-term health risks the bifurcation poses. Golfers are professional athletes and have, unquestionably, acknowledged the substantial impact driving distance has on scoring ability. And overspeed training devices like The Stack System and SuperSpeed Golf can both help unlock several miles an hour of club head speed (and yards of carry distance), but with great power comes great responsibility, and if golfers body isn’t physically ready (and capable) to swing at the increased speed, the risk of injury exponentially increases.

So while the USGA/R&A may try to reel in distances by setting a bright-line speed/distance correlation (127 MPH clubhead speed = max distance of 317 yards), nothing will stop golfers from chasing 130 MPH plus (for sake of completeness, the current PGA TOUR average club head speed is Brandon Matthews’ 126 MPH, so just under the testing standard).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Yes, I am aware that the likes of Kyle Berkshire and Martin Borgmeier are operating in the club head stratosphere—150 MPH—these guys are dedicated long drivers who center all of their training around hitting it very, very far; they are not, however, fully-rounded golfers who are capable of tackling golf’s most unforgiving conditions over a four-day period.

Do I believe we’ll see PGA TOUR golfers swinging their drivers to the tune of 130 MPH? Absolutely.

But with 45 events on the PGA TOUR’s 2023 calendar (excluding additional events like the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup, and the new TGL golf league), it is very difficult to see when and where golfers will be able to “bulletproof” their bodies with quality strength training. Add in the wear-and-tear of trying to maintain that over the course of the year while walking 7,000+ yards during competition rounds, and you can see how the need to overcome the MLR will pose an even greater threat.

Is increased driving distance detracting from the game of golf? Maybe, but to think we can “preserve the integrity of the game” by enacting certain changes that specifically look to belie human evolution is ridiculous.

As JT noted, should every sport make changes (e.g., increasing NBA hoops from 10 to 13 feet) to combat humans are becoming bigger, faster, and stronger?

The answer is an obvious no.

So now I must ask the USGA and R&A: Why golf?

Cover Image Via Twitter