Well... apparently the governing bodies have finally come to the conclusion that golf's changing distance climate does indeed exist.

Without wasting enormous time separating the wheat from the chaff, I'm including the two conclusions drawn from both the USGA and R&A, formally known as "Key Findings" of their recently released study. For those who prefer, I'll post the official link at the bottom for further reading.

USGA's Key Findings statement:

“This is not about the last few years or the next few years but rather about the long-term future of the game,” said Mike Davis, chief executive officer of the USGA. “This report clearly shows a consistent increase in hitting distance and golf course lengths over the last 100-plus years. These increases have had a profound impact on costs to build, modify and operate golf courses and they have impacted golfers at all levels. We believe this problem will continue unless this cycle is brought to an end. With collaboration from the entire golf community, we have an opportunity to stem this tide and help ensure golf remains sustainable and enjoyable for generations to come.”

R&A's Key Findings Statement:

Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said, “We believe we have reached a pivotal moment in golf. The publication of this report is highly significant. The impact of long-term hitting distance increases on some of golf’s essential elements are now clear – including changing the strategic challenge of the sport, altering the balance of skills needed to be successful and risking courses being less challenging or obsolete. Our objective as governing bodies is to work with the key stakeholders in golf to address this issue in a way that brings the sport together and which ensures it continues to thrive for many years to come.”

While the heir elder statesman, Jack Nicklaus, applauded the governing bodies' "long overdue" report and recognition of the distance problem, naturally the currently-active bomb-and-gouge era players seem a bit more cool to the notion that technology has played the biggest role.

Phil Mickelson, who has never let an opportunity to be at odds with the USGA go quietly into the night, wasted little time assuming the mantle for the opposition's point of view. “I struggle with some of our governing bodies. I struggle with it because we're the only professional sport in the world that is governed by a group of amateurs, and that leads to some questionable directions that we go down. I wish that we had people that are involved in the sport professionally to be in charge a little bit more.”

But he was just getting started.

“I also don't feel that you should punish the athletes for getting better,” he said. “I don't think that we have had massive equipment changes. We have just had athletes that have been able to take advantage of the equipment, more so than in the past. And I hate to see that discouraged. “You look at what Bryson [DeChambeau] has done getting in the gym, getting after it, lifting weights, and hitting bombs . . . and now you're talking about trying to roll it back, because he has made himself a better athlete? So, I don't know if I agree with that.”

Dustin Johnson, currently ranked 4th in total driving distance, dismissed it entirely. "I saw the email, saw it was 18 pages long, and didn't bother reading it."

The PGA Tour released a statement as well, basically saying (without saying) "we have our players' backs."

"We believe the game is best served when all are working in a unified way, and we intend to continue to approach this issue in that manner. The PGA Tour is committed to ensuring any future solutions identified benefit the game as a whole without negatively impacting the Tour, its players or our fans' enjoyment of our sport."

Think that Monahan and company aren't at least posturing on their top stars' behalves given the current rumors of a "Premier Golf League" beginning to swirl, which guys like Mickelson, Koepka, Rory, etc. might at the very least entertain the thoughts ($$$$$$$) of? Not to mention the obvious sway and influence of the equipment manufacturers that have played a considerable role in the modern professional game? (more $$$$$$)

Some argue that it could be the prelude to bifurcation, of which several players, like Paul Casey, argue would create a lack of interest as a result of the recreational players not being able to relate to the stars they watch on television since many would be playing different equipment. "What would it mean to the elite amateur players with professional aspirations, who've honed their games with the current technology?" one anonymous tour player asked.

Either way, does anyone really think that the USGA/R&A is willing to upset the applecart by aggressively moving forward? Or is this akin to the Tour's run-of-the-mill noncommittal stance on slow play, and pretending they're doing more than 'just looking into it' to help quieten the qualms of those who have grown tired of it?

Seems like there's a lot of discontent. Then again, what else is new.

As promised, here's the link for those interested. https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/advancing-the-game/distance-insights.html



    Maybe they will leave the equipment and courses alone for the next big change. After all, the equipment just cannot get any better. And balls, I seriously doubt a ball can be made to go farther than the best out there today. That is to say farther, and have it fly on a dedicated flight plane. "Super balls", "illegal balls", do not keep a dedicated flight. They go in every direction(which could even straighten out some Pros 😁 ). Nope, imo not much to be changed in equipment. Not going to be able to lengthen very many courses.

    Best bet would be to change the players.
    Make them a maximum height, along with a minimum weight. Say something like under 5'5", but over 200 lbs.. And, do away with caddies.

    This research being conducted is based on elite players. Of which, mind you, make up about 5% of the game. The USGA doesn't give a fiddler's fuck about the average player who is lucky to even approach 95 mph of club head speed with driver.

    Yet if you hear them rant, they're talking like regulating the equipment to retro standards is somehow going to make greens fees more affordable for recreational players. Bullshit. That is complete and utter bullshit. Golf ain't ever getting less expensive. And it's never going to take less than 5 hours on average to play on the weekends, no matter how long or how short the course is.

    There's not been a new course built within 30 miles of here in the past 15 years. Courses ain't adding tee boxes. Courses are closing. Rolling back equipment ain't changing that. The USGA remains completely out of touch.

      PA-PLAYA There's not been a new course built within 30 miles of here in the past 15 years. Courses ain't adding tee boxes. Courses are closing. Rolling back equipment ain't changing that. The USGA remains completely out of touch.

      Courses closing left and right. Just got word that my home course will remain open, but it is for sale and if not sold, this will likely be the last year. Two 9 hole courses have closed in the area, leaving one 18 hole course in town! The Bull ( interestingly enough a Jack Nicklaus signature course) was in foreclosure and up for auction....the owner filed for bankruptcy which held off the sheriff auction. Sounds like there is a group of
      local investors that are putting together an offer. This is an amazing course in the same area as Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run, so there is a ton of traffic coming thru that area.....they have been struggling for years and with this past year being a terrible weather year, it was the final nail! I suspect the group trying to put together the cash will get it done....the Ryder cup is at Whistling this year and they stand to make some pretty good bank around that time!

      Anyways.....the USGA need not alienate golfers from the game that is in steady decline, at least in the US it is. Not sure of the state of the game globally.

        PA-PLAYA The USGA remains completely out of touch.

        This is basically what DJ was saying in his own subtle way and I agree with him (and you) and Phil as well.

          Two very simple solutions that only impact the pros not the recreational golfer

          1. Introduce a reduced flight golf ball for PGA men ......us hacks just carry on as usual with regular balls ( women and seniors Likely don't even need this)

          2. set up PGA courses for tournament play with tighter landing areas, thicker rough , so every par 4 isn't driver wedge and par 5 driver 7i.

          curious what others think on that. Restrictions are in place for clubs now and balls have criteria as do balls and equipment in most sports. If they want to dial it back a bit, the ball seems the easiest and most logical. Anyways, running out the door, will check in later when i get a break in my interview schedule

            In the lengthy report highlights I had previously read, it was noted the upfront cost to start the game for a beginner is a barrier. New tech introduced annually is driving up the costs so it is unaffordable to many to even try the game, thus dwindling numbers now and looking into the crystal ball.

            I also think it sends a message to the manufacturers that R&D should be scaled back in their long range plans.

              Weirfan

              I favor narrow landing areas and leaving equipment alone. Look at other popular participatory sports, bowling, CrossFit etc.. the cool part is having the same options as the pros and trying to keep up. Make it a risk /reward for the big dogs, let the rest of us hacks have a chance.

                Here’s what get me... look at other professional sports. Baseball, Hockey, Basketball, Football, Tennis, Bowling... nobody there is bitching. It’s the same equipment year in and year out. Why isn’t there a more aerodynamic football?...one could be made. Livelier baseball, improved bats, giant gloves?

                Why does it seem Golf is the only sport to come out with “new and improved equipment” every few months? Be like baseball and football... the ball is the ball, all the same. Clubs have to all be the same specs from every manufacturer year after year just like bats.

                  Typhoon I think it comes down to golf being a failing sport so they are looking for the pixie dust to fix it. The cost of entry is so high, it knocks 80% of people out before they ever try it. So now you are looking for a limited market, that market has to take interest, have disposable income and time to play... Tough niche. What you don’t play, you generally don’t watch, now the problem compounds. So you are seeing a lot of shit being thrown at the wall to make more people take an interest.

                    mikeintopeka I also think it sends a message to the manufacturers that R&D should be scaled back in their long range plans.

                    What should they then do? Keep designs in place for multiple years? That won't work, and keep the companies in business.

                    Typhoon Bowling.

                    I bitched about it many, many years ago when they changed all the lane dressings, etc.. They tried to make it harder for bowlers to score perfect games/800 series....and it backfired tremendously. Averages of 250 are commonplace today. You need several different balls now, and they are not cheap. Like the golfers of today, I just said fuck it, I quit. And bowling in this area has suffered tremendously with alleys closing.(not because of me quitting 😁 )

                          Par4QC - I said to scale back, not eliminate. Especially in an election year. Can you imagine what massive lay-offs in the R&D departments of golf manufacturers would do to the economy? <sarcasm>😉

                              mikeintopeka That may or may not be a bit humorous, but some of those companies(no doubt) have way too many on staff for R&D. And are paid too much....by us. 😃

                                  I sometimes wonder if they are worried about a problem that doesn't really exist. So what if pro golfers are hitting it farther? Pro athletes in every sport are getting bigger, faster, stronger and better each year and equipment improves although I think that is marginal in many cases. I like seeing pro athletes excel and do amazing things. I think it's cool that a player can use the same ball I hit 240 and hit it 340.....sure it's humbling but also amazing.

                                  I hate that courses are closing, but I don't think controlling distance is going to do anything. People don't play because golf is expensive and time consuming along with being hard. In the future we'll mostly be playing virtual golf.

                                  Par4QC What should they then do? Keep designs in place for multiple years? That won't work, and keep the companies in business.

                                  This might be a matter of whether we want actual golf, or golf equipment companies to succeed. Cheaper, high quality equipment is good for golf, but maybe not for the big manufacturers.

                                      ZWExton

                                      Correct, seems they are worrying about manufacturers. I don’t see Rawlings closing down.

                                      But I think it’s too far out of control with not only heads but all the shaft companies as well. To standardize golf equipment like they do in baseball, basketball, hockey etc... would be impossible at this point I think.

                                          ZWExton Equipment cost really is not so high today when compared to the past. I can recall buying my 1st set of (new) irons back in '78. After looking at/fondling every set in every store, boxed sets included, I got a set of First Flights at a cost of around $300. That included woods & irons, no putter or 'special' wedges, or bag. No headcovers either.
                                          The price of golf has not really gone up that much around here either. Top of the line ball prices are a much different story.

                                            Typhoon I don’t see Rawlings closing down.

                                            I could be wrong, but they got out of the golf biz when the getting was good.

                                                Par4QC
                                                I mean baseball. No ball or glove changes to make the game obsolete. Same stuff every year, gloves just look different. Balls look the same.