Golf’s Governing Bodies Announce Golf Ball Rollback Measures
The golf ball rollback, a proposed measure by the R&A and USGA, aims to restrict golf ball manufacturing starting January 1, 2028, in response to escalating hitting distances, especially among professionals.
In a significant move to address concerns about the escalating distances golf balls are being hit, the R&A and USGA have unveiled proposed restrictions on golf ball manufacturing set to take effect from January 1, 2028.
The primary aim of this initiative is to counteract the impact of increased hitting distances, particularly among professional and elite amateur golfers, and to ensure the long-term stability of the sport.
The proposed changes involve revising the Overall Distance Standard (ODS) through updated testing conditions. These conditions include testing new golf ball offerings at a clubhead speed of 125 mph, equivalent to 183 mph ball speed, with a spin rate of 2200 RPMs and a launch angle of 11 degrees.
This marks an adjustment from the current conditions set two decades ago, which were at 120 mph (176 mph ball speed), 2520 RPMs, and a launch angle of 10 degrees.
The governing bodies have emphasized that the increase in clubhead speed aligns with the evolving nature of the sport, where players are consistently achieving higher speeds. The adjustments aim to address the trend of increasing launch angles and decreasing spin rates observed over the years.
The impact on recreational golfers is expected to be minimal, with an estimated 5 yards or less reduction in driver distance for those with a mid-90s clubhead speed. The focus of the changes is primarily on professional and elite amateur players, who may experience a reduction of 9-11 yards in driving distance.
There's plenty of room to move forward on the tee box. There's just not much room left to go backwards.
@USGAMike has a simple option for the recreational golfer. pic.twitter.com/VeZDUzrInP— USGA (@USGA) December 6, 2023
While some critics argue that the proposed measures may not go far enough, the governing bodies emphasize that the goal is not to turn back the clock but to find a middle ground that ensures the long-term health of the game.
The changes also reflect a compromise, considering practical challenges raised by various stakeholders, including collegiate and junior amateurs.
In a video statement, USGA CEO Michael Whan explained the ideology behind the golf ball rollback, stating, “Governance is hard. And while thousands will claim that we did too much, there will be just as many who said we didn’t do enough to protect the game long-term. But from the very beginning, we’ve been driven to do what is right for the game, without bias. As we’ve said, doing nothing is not an option – and we would be failing in our responsibility to protect the game’s future if we didn’t take appropriate action now.”
The PGA Tour, a significant player in the golfing landscape, has provided feedback expressing concerns about the proposed increase in test clubhead speed to 125 mph.
However, the governing bodies remain committed to their objective, emphasizing the need to protect the game’s future while minimizing the impact on the recreational game.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 6, 2023
In addition to the golf ball rollback, the R&A and USGA announced plans to expand testing on “driver creep,” addressing conforming drivers that exceed testing limits through regular use. The governing bodies will also conduct research on driver forgiveness concerning performance on off-center strikes at the elite level.
As the golfing community grapples with these proposed changes, the R&A and USGA stress the ongoing nature of their review process, maintaining engagement with various stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive and balanced approach to the evolving dynamics of the sport.
USGA CEO Michael Whan explained the ideology behind the golf ball rollback, stating, “Governance is hard. And while thousands will claim that we did too much, there will be just as many who said we didn’t do enough to protect the game long-term.
But from the very beginning, we’ve been driven to do what is right for the game, without bias. As we’ve said, doing nothing is not an option – and we would be failing in our responsibility to protect the game’s future if we didn’t take appropriate action now.”
The PGA Tour, a significant player in the golfing landscape, has provided feedback expressing concerns about the proposed increase in test clubhead speed to 125 mph. However, the governing bodies remain committed to their objective, emphasizing the need to protect the game’s future while minimizing the impact on the recreational game.
In addition to the golf ball rollback, the R&A and USGA announced plans to expand testing on “driver creep,” addressing conforming drivers that exceed testing limits through regular use. The governing bodies will also research driver forgiveness concerning performance on off-centre strikes at the elite level.
As the golfing community grapples with these proposed changes, the R&A and USGA stress the ongoing nature of their review process, maintaining engagement with various stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive and balanced approach to the evolving dynamics of the sport.
