Planned 2030 Golf Ball Rollback

[LICC]

2 hours ago, Davre said:

The ramifications of this are far less straightforward than a lot of people understand. Firstly, regulating distance via the ball just further penalizes the shorter hitters on tour vs the bombers. Think: if you had to dial a ball back enough for Rory to average say 275yds off the tee, that puts guys like Kisner back to 245yds. It doesn't solve the problem at all. It renders all courses unplayable for below average drivers. 

One possible alternative is to design a ball that FAVORS slower swing speeds (likely a very soft compression?). This could shrink the delta between the short and long hitters due to energy loss at high speeds. The obvious flaw to this (and any limiting of the ball) is testing and ball doping. The cost of testing every ball played on tour would be ENORMOUS. 

Last, and probably most important is the impact on revenue for the big ball makers. They literally lose the ability to market "play what the pros play". If you do not think this is a massive market mover, just look at the contracts of current players. The other elephant in the room is what would LIV do? Following suit seems to be contrary to their DNA. Plus hey could lean into "come over here and play REAL equipment!" 

No one would put Rory to 275 yards. The top hitters getting to 300 would be good. Just like in the late 1990s. That would put the difference between the long and short hitters about the same as it always was. It doesn't penalize shorter hitters any more than they had been disadvantaged historically.

The ball testing issue would be no different than testing that is needed now for all equipment.

If bifurcation was made part of the USGA rules, and LIV didn't follow, then goodbye any chance at world ranking points.

[Davre]

6 minutes ago, LICC said:

No one would put Rory to 275 yards. The top hitters getting to 300 would be good. Just like in the late 1990s. That would put the difference between the long and short hitters about the same as it always was. It doesn't penalize shorter hitters any more than they had been disadvantaged historically.

The ball testing issue would be no different than testing that is needed now for all equipment.

If bifurcation was made part of the USGA rules, and LIV didn't follow, then goodbye any chance at world ranking points.

That represents a "roll back" of 7%. I'm not sure that justifies the move. 

Ball testing would be very different, as right now you are only testing 1 club per player (and even then on rare occasion). You would need to test essentially all balls that each player in the field carries. This seems like an easy thing to monitor at first, but it is far more complex. It's not a question of testing, but rather of scale. 

[BIG STU]

1 hour ago, Bob Pegram said:

I agree. I use a 46.5 inch putter so I can stand up straighter.

And I do not see anything wrong with that and I for one do not care if you anchor or not.

[BIG STU]

1 hour ago, BostonSal said:

Non-conforming is the whole point.

It can't be non-conforming enough.

I want to be able to back up the ball on the asphalt parking lot.

I'm obviously not trying to qualify for the US Senior Amateur, but my facetiousness was clearly not sufficiently obvious either!

/

Yep you are like me do not play stipulated comps anymore and do not give a damn about the USGA or anything they have to say. I was messing around in the shop the other day and found a Pure Spin 64* I forgot I had. It is one of those with diamonds on the face. Illegal as all get out. I had it up on the range today and I can not hit it maybe 30 yards but I was spinning range rocks darn near back on me. LOL had range rock cover all over the face. For me it is not practical for regular play but it is off the charts for the kicks and giggles factor which for me these days is what golf is all about

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, LICC said:

No one would put Rory to 275 yards. The top hitters getting to 300 would be good. Just like in the late 1990s.

The late 90s when Tiger was hitting the ball 300 and courses started Tiger proofing because 300 was too long and he was dominating. 

So why would they roll back to a time when distance was a problem.

 

[LICC]

19 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

The late 90s when Tiger was hitting the ball 300 and courses started Tiger proofing because 300 was too long and he was dominating. 

So why would they roll back to a time when distance was a problem.

 

Courses on the Tour are longer today. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

22 minutes ago, LICC said:

Courses on the Tour are longer today. 

Because of the era you want them to roll back to where despite the distance increase tigers 300 still dominated including his recent masters win where 300 is pushing it for him. 

[LICC]

22 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Because of the era you want them to roll back to where despite the distance increase tigers 300 still dominated including his recent masters win where 300 is pushing it for him. 

Courses on the Tour are longer today. 
 

Tiger’s domination wasn’t just from driving distance. 

[cardia10]

17 hours ago, LICC said:

Courses on the Tour are longer today. 

Yet they will change the rule that affects me (like the groove rule) and I can't afford or don't have the connections to play tour courses. The USGA is so antiquated and keeps shooting themselves in the foot. It will eventually hit a tipping point like LIV did with the PGA.

[THEZIPR23]

18 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

The late 90s when Tiger was hitting the ball 300 and courses started Tiger proofing because 300 was too long and he was dominating. 

So why would they roll back to a time when distance was a problem.

 

The best part of "Tiger Proofing" was he benefitted the most. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

10 minutes ago, THEZIPR23 said:

The best part of "Tiger Proofing" was he benefitted the most. 

Yep. They did nothing but make it harder for the guys who weren’t long to beat him with having to hit longer clubs into greens and not being able to match his par 5 capabilities. Iirc he led par 5 scoring close to a dozen times. 

[Bob Pegram]

23 hours ago, BIG STU said:

And I do not see anything wrong with that and I for one do not care if you anchor or not.

Wow! that's a typo. I use a 36.5 inch putter.

[BIG STU]

3 hours ago, Bob Pegram said:

Wow! that's a typo. I use a 36.5 inch putter.

Senior moment I presume. Yep after my accident I had to go from 33" to 35". I was messing around the other day with my Cleveland 8802 Designed By at 33". After a few putts my back was killing me. 

[Aaronknows]

It's happening! There is going to be a ruling sometime this week that will affect distances… Whether it be a golf, ball, rollback, COR limits decreased, or more testing. Be on the lookout because it's coming....

[cnosil]

9 minutes ago, Aaronknows said:

It's happening! There is going to be a ruling sometime this week that will affect distances… Whether it be a golf, ball, rollback, COR limits decreased, or more testing. Be on the lookout because it's coming....

Supposed to be tomorrow and about the ball. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Will be interesting to see. I guess more interesting to see how it affects us mortals or if it does at all. 

[MacTourney]

Oh please, oh please, let this be a doorway to bringing back wound balata orbs, what would life be without hope.  

 

[Golf2Much]

I can't wait to see what the powers that be are planning.  Realistically, changing the ball characteristics was the easiest and overall less expensive solution for dealing with obsoleting certain courses due to distance. 

It will be interesting to see if (and/or when) any of the guidelines filter down to the recreational golfer. 

It should be interesting.  

[cnosil]

36 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Will be interesting to see. I guess more interesting to see how it affects us mortals or if it does at all. 

Apparently the proposal is going to be for "elite" level of competitions.  Per Tony's twitter posts the expectation is that pretty much no ball currently in the market will meet the new restrictions.  Remember the phrase "soft is slow".  

 

[GolfSpy_APH]

2 minutes ago, cnosil said:

Apparently the proposal is going to be for "elite" level of competitions.  Per Tony's twitter posts the expectation is that pretty much no ball currently in the market will meet the new restrictions.  Remember the phrase "soft is slow".  

 

I guess more importantly will be when does this happen?

Very interesting. Eyes and ears are open and awaiting!

[Kenny B]

39 minutes ago, MacTourney said:

Oh please, oh please, let this be a doorway to bringing back wound balata orbs, what would life be without hope.  

 

"wound" ... how about "round" ?  

[cksurfdude]

2 hours ago, cnosil said:

Apparently the proposal is going to be for "elite" level of competitions. 

That would make the most sense to me .. ie. imho it's not the regular, recreational golfers who are hitting it ummm "too far" (and who are needed to play .. and to enjoy, and continue, playing .. to "grow the game").

[cnosil]

https://golf.com/gear/golf-balls/usga-rollback-bifurcation-announcement/

[Ding-dong]

 

 

5 hours ago, cnosil said:

https://golf.com/gear/golf-balls/usga-rollback-bifurcation-announcement/

Last line is interesting, fans don’t want this … I don’t want to see second shots that are wedges, nor do I want to see par 5s hit in 2 with a 6 iron or less. 
The current game is about strength, and somewhere down the line we have lost the art of plotting your way around the course. 
Any ball changes will be a good thing, any ball that gives you nothing after x impact force would be great … no bifurcation would be required. We would see a change in pro player and a game more connected to its roots. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

6 hours ago, cnosil said:

https://golf.com/gear/golf-balls/usga-rollback-bifurcation-announcement/

Need to read it again as I was reading it middle of the night, but it will be interesting. Reactions I am sure will be polar. What tours will adopt this? ie LIV will they stick with the long ball to try and get more players over there, that could be part of the brand. 

Time will tell I guess, but I really don't mind the way the game is now. Professionals are already on an entirely different level of play. 

[Jodrell]

2 hours ago, Ding-dong said:

any ball that gives you nothing after x impact force would be great … 

Yeah, this…no idea if it’s possible, but it would stop the game becoming even more about just strength & speed. A lot of pros don’t seem to care about missing fairways because the wedges are so good they can easily get out and still get close

[LICC]

The USGA and R&A have convened a news conference for Tuesday at which, GOLF.com has learned, they’ll introduce a proposal that includes a Model Local Rule that — for tours and championships that adopt it — would effectively mean rolling back the golf ball and introducing bifurcation, i.e., creating a different set of rules for professionals and top amateurs vs. the rest of the golf world. 

According to an industry source, equipment manufacturers were informed of the proposed changes Monday morning, which center around the clubhead speed used to evaluate balls for the Overall Distance Standard (ODS).

In short, if the governing bodies have their way, professionals and elite amateurs on tours and in tournaments that adopt the rule will hit the ball shorter distances. Rules for everyday golfers aren’t expected to change.

[RickyBobby_PR]

4 hours ago, Ding-dong said:

 

 

Last line is interesting, fans don’t want this … I don’t want to see second shots that are wedges, nor do I want to see par 5s hit in 2 with a 6 iron or less. 
The current game is about strength, and somewhere down the line we have lost the art of plotting your way around the course. 
Any ball changes will be a good thing, any ball that gives you nothing after x impact force would be great … no bifurcation would be required. We would see a change in pro player and a game more connected to its roots. 

People watch sports to see things they can’t do and to see the pros at whatever sport play their best. Golf is about having the lowest score, so if pros can get to par 5s in 2 or hit wedges into par 4s that’s amazing. 
 

Just like baseball chicks dig the long ball. Fans will complain that there are too many home runs and as soon as there a a 1-0 pitching duel taking place they say it’s boring.

Then we look at soccer. It’s boring to most because there isn’t a lot of scoring or action on the field, just a little round ball being kicked around from player to play for minutes at a time before a shot may even be attempted.

There are courses on tour where scores are going to be super low and then courses/events where it’s not going to be. There is a good mix of this on the tour

[EasyPutter]

There is always something in these articles that burns my toast and it is usually someone spouting as if they are gifted with knowing what everyone thinks.

“One of the coolest things about our sport is that the general player can play with exact same equipment from the same exact place,” one pro said. “No fan wants to see PGA Tour players hit it shorter than they do. That’s one reason they watch pro golf, because Rory can hit it 320 and they can stand on the same tee and not do so.”

Nothing but blow-hard goose crap, of course I want to see PGA Tour players hit shots like I do, that makes them real and makes me know that my game is perfectly fine because even the pros sometimes hit a shot like I do on my best day.

I guess I should sign this, No fan 

[GolfSpy_KFT]

I personally am a fan of seeing the pros absolutely MASH the driver. I'm not sure that I believe changes to the golf ball would turn people away from watching professional golf, because pros are still pros and will still make incredible shots, regardless of how far the ball travels. It will definitely be interesting to see how this all shakes out, and what some of the more prominent guys on tour will say on the subject.