SOUTHAMPTON, NY. Does the golf ball travel too far today? Depends on who you ask? Ask the two rules making organizations in the sport and both say it does. But is the proposed solution really focused on where the actual issue exists?
At the annual pre-US Open press conference Wednesday, it was clear USGA CEO Mike Whan believes the appropriate answer is having all golfers play a golf ball that goes less distance than the one in usage today.
In fact, the rollout date for that to happen is planned for January 2030. Originally, the plan was for a phased in time frame. Elite players would have faced a rollback in 2028 with the rest of the golf world facing a similar fate two years later in 2030.
The two governing bodies — USGA and R&A — have stated in painstaking detail over several years what an unchecked golf ball has done to the game. Classic courses have had to extend teeing areas to the point in which a number of them can no longer do so. The added length means more and more dollars spent on maintenance costs. And the increased yardage has only added more time to complete rounds.
But will a rolled back golf ball appeal to the Joe Sixpacks and Mary Wineglasses of the golfing world? And will those in the golf ball manufacturing lane really want to provide a golf ball that goes less distance than the one they’re producing today?
The USGA and R&A have also received no assurances from the PGA Tour and PGA of America that what the rules making organizations are outlining is of such urgency that causes then to accept the broader solution in which recreational golfers will be impacted.
Whan outlined the current status when addressing the media at Shinnecock Hills.
“Over the last eight years, the governing bodies, the United States Golf Association and the R&A, have worked together to make sure that we’re sharing our concerns about distance increases, not just in the past, but the trends we see going forward and the potential long-term consequences of doing nothing as a game.
“Since the last time I think I’ve addressed a group of this size, there’s two significant developments that I wanted to share. One is in March, for those of you who kind of follow this process, we launched what we call a notice and comment where we asked the industry to comment on a specific question, which is when we talk about changing the ODS, or the Overall Distance Standard testing approach, is it better if we did it in a phased approach and starting in ’28 with the elite game and ’30 across the board, or is it better for most if we did it one time and started in the beginning of 2030?
“Like most formal feedback sessions, this certainly wasn’t unanimous, but it was clear that the industry certainly preferred a single date implementation of January 2030. What we can say is there will be no change to the ODS distance approach on golf balls until January 2030. That was one thing we owed a feedback and response back to now that we’ve gathered the feedback from the industry.”
The reality is that the overwhelming bulk of people playing golf want to hit the golf ball farther than they do today. Expecting them to positively embrace such a remedy may not be the kind of solution they want to see happen.
Vested interests also have a clear stake. Golf ball manufacturers have a deep financial interest. Will those companies continue to make the current golf ball and also the one that is rolled back? It’s hard to imagine the existing ball being terminated by the bulk of recreational players when the majority of male players are barely getting a driver distance of 225 yards and women at 150 yards. Since both are now struggling to keep the distance they are getting – how does one believe they will enthusiastically seek to have their meager total distance lessened with the pending change?
In addition, how far down the pecking order of “elite players” will the proposed rolled back golf ball affect? Will that apply to those at the regional and state levels? Will that be accepted at various golf clubs and courses? It’s hard to imagine how the credibility of the reform will not face a major public relations issue if the PGA Tour and PGA of America do not endorse the solution 100%. Right now, that support is anything but certain.
Whan, in his comments, did say that the proposed roll back may not be as significant as many might believe.
“Maybe the ODS (Overall Distance Standard) change that we’re implementing won’t be significant enough to have the kind of objectives that we’ve set out, and we heard that feedback.
“Most important of all, is a real collective willingness — and I choose those words by design. Collective willingness is I think what we felt in those meetings. A collective willingness to reconsider maybe some of the ideas we moved on with based on previous feedback we had received before and determine whether or not there could be other ideas that could be more impactful and maybe even less disruptive for the overall game.”
What is clear is that all golfers will be under one roof with the rolled back golf plan set for 2030. The USGA and R&A cannot mandate anything beyond the events they operate. In short, persuasion is central to acceptance and if the proposed solution does not sufficiently address distance gains, will the two rules-making organizations go ahead with other golf ball rule changes? And will other possible changes include dealing specifically with drivers?
Initially, the USGA and R&A put forward a split decision — one in which elite level players would play a rolled back golf ball but leave out those at the recreational level. In short, a “competition golf ball” would be created. That reform was not acceptable to the golf ball manufacturers. That specific feedback is what has led to the one-size fits all proposed solution.
Doing what is right for the game is clearly an issue. The viewpoint of the USGA and R&A see matters left unchecked as being not helpful. Those on the other side of the debate see the proposed solution only causing more distress for the larger slice of people playing the game recreationally. Of course, the golf ball manufacturers are pushing that specific argument to protect bottom line realities too.
How will this issue resolve itself?
That’s incredibly hard to say.
Compromise has happened but the core base belief from the USGA and R&A is that doing nothing is not a viable option. Others see the matter in vastly different circumstances.
The irresistible force and immovable object remain in place – for now
To be continued.
Joint Statement from the USGA, The R&A, PGA Tour and DP World Tour |
| Over the past eight years, The USGA and The R&A have raised concerns about distance increases and the long-term consequences of failing to address this consistent trend.Through a series of formal feedback processes and numerous individual stakeholder meetings, the governing bodies agreed on an across-the-game change in how golf balls are tested via the Overall Distance Standard (ODS).Recently, two significant developments have emerged in the efforts to address the impact of distance on the game:
1) Feedback from the golf industry on the Notice and Comment related to the date of implementation of the updated ODS testing approach indicated that the majority support a single-date implementation (2030) versus a two-date, phased implementation (2028 and 2030). 2) Constructive discussions between the governing bodies, PGA TOUR leadership, the PGA TOUR Player Advisory Council (PAC), DP World Tour leadership and other stakeholders yielded three key outcomes: (a) recognition that distance continues to increase at the elite level; (b) a concern by the Tours that the updated ODS testing approach may not achieve the desired results; (c) a collective willingness to reconsider alternative approaches that may more materially impact the pace of future distance increases, while minimizing disruption to the overall golf market. Given these developments, The R&A and USGA will take the appropriate amount of time to assess a range of possible options and determine the path forward. Specifically, the governing bodies will work closely with key stakeholders – including the PGA TOUR, DP World Tour and their respective members – to review, test and implement options that have a meaningful impact on distance at the elite level. These efforts will ensure the elite game does not become too one-dimensional while continuing to emphasize the importance of shotmaking. There will be no change to the ODS testing approach until January 2030 while these options are evaluated. The USGA, The R&A, PGA TOUR and DP World Tour are confident in the path forward and committed to working collaboratively, and with other key stakeholders, to ensure the long-term health of the game. |
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M. James Ward
A long-time member of both the GWAA and MGWA. The 68-year-old has covered all facets in golf since 1980 — including reporting on over 100 major championships and 13 Ryder Cup matches. His writings have appeared in various outlets. On a personal level, has played over 2,000 courses globally and is lead reviewer for Top 100 Golf Courses.
Previously served for 17 years as national course rating panelist for Golf Digest. Has also personally competed in USGA Championships. Resides in the metro New York City area with his wife Celeste. Favorite quote paraphrased for golf — “You are what your golf score says you are.”