NASSAU, BAHAMAS – According to multiple reports, the USGA and R&A are poised to announce rule changes that will roll back golf balls for the entire game, not just elite pros, and the news comes from two prominent figures. It provoked a polarized reaction. PGA Tour players.
Rule changes are expected to be announced early next week According to Golf Digestnearly all golf balls played both professionally and recreationally will be non-conforming. Previously proposed plan Dial back the golf ball for elite players only.
Tiger Woods is an outspoken supporter of rollbacks and has long supported buyfacation, which would create different rules for elite and recreational players. According to a report from Golf Digest, a bifurcation period will begin in 2028, with all golfers competing under the same ball rules by 2030.
“We’ve been hitting, the ball needs to slow downBut it kept speeding me up my whole career and now I’m here,” Woods said after the third round of the Hero World Challenge. “As I told you guys, I’ve always been in favor of forking. I’ve always said that. It’s the same with wood bats and metal bats.”
However, Rickie Fowler did not support any rollback.
I feel like ” [the USGA and R&A] “We missed this 20 years ago,” Fowler said. “When you look at the state of golf today, I think it’s better than it’s ever been, and you wonder why. [roll back the golf ball]?
“Overall, I think everyone who plays golf, weekend golfers, is very excited to go and hit it shorter. I think this is terrible and the golf ball is the pursuit. I don’t think it should be done, and it’s not the USGA or R&A that’s paying for it.”
According to Golf Digest, changes to the rules governing golf balls will effectively reduce hitting distance for pros by 5 percent (15 yards on a 300-yard drive). By comparison, recreational players can lose about 11 yards on an average 225-yard drive, but it remains to be seen how the new standard will affect amateurs with slow enough swing speeds.