USGA/R&A Distance Report

PA-PLAYA · 2020-02-07T05:53:34+00:00

Well... apparently the governing bodies have finally come to the conclusion that golf's changing distance climate does indeed exist. Without wasting enormo...

Stu1961

Spuzz
Honestly, no clue why you would feel that way. I’m just in favor of returning the game to the equipment distances (and course lengths) of the 70’s. I don’t recall rounds being longer then … just the opposite. Nor do I recall wide-open courses. I’m actually seeing more courses being closed now … but, regionally at least, that’s probably more due to real estate prices.

Par4QC

Stu1961 and course lengths) of the 70’s

Oh hell no. You think that is what those fellas would want to see? Then they will come back with persimmon drivers.
They will expect the courses to remain at the lengths they are now. May even demand it, as they are with their equipment rules every year.😉

Sneakylong

https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/03/15/pga-tour-justin-thomas-roll-back-golf-ball-valspar-championship/

Anecdotal with just Justin Thomas and Sam Burns, but with the players having more say these days I wouldn’t be surprised if the PGA Tour voted not to adopt the local rule for dialing back the distance of golf balls. Haven’t heard if anyone from the PGA of America has said anything yet.

I also can’t see the ball manufacturers being in favor of this as well. The stakeholders timeframe to respond is August I believe. If I had to bet right now, I’d bet this proposal will not be adopted by the PGA Tour.

Weirfan

Sneakylong

Here's another with interviews of two players, one a short hitter ( not in favor) the other one of the longest on tour and he's in favor.

azgreg

ode

azgreg he's not wrong BUT the irony and the nerve. Tell us why it costs so much now MF,er!

sdandrea1

Should we be stockpiling golf balls now?

Eguller

sdandrea1

Yes. From the Eguller Bargain Golf Ball Co. 😉

garyt1957

Isn't the problem more "bomb and gouge" than just distance off the drive? I don't know much about golf balls but could they design a ball that still goes the same distance with the driver but is shorter with irons? That way you still get the long ball (which pretty much everybody loves) but eliminates the gouge? So guys can't hit 150 yard wedges and can't get a longer iron out of the rough and stay on the green? Might make accuracy more important. No idea if that's even possible.

Par4QC

garyt1957 A lot of questions these old boys never thought about having answers for.

Best question that comes to mind is...why the proposed limit for balls being set using 125 mph swing speed.....when the PGA Tour average is only 113????

The future SW will now become the old SW. 54-55. Not 58. Problem solved for those wanting to hit 150 using SW.

Sneakylong

Heard an idea from someone on PGA Tout Radio say just limit the Pro's to 10 clubs in their bag. lol The more I listen to the arguments of dialing back the ball the more I'm convinced it isn't going to fly.

Normally I'm not a fan of Michael Breed, but I agree with him on this issue. He said as much as the USGA says it's not about the recreational golfer, it eventually will impact the average golfer.

rsvman2

Sneakylong 10 clubs isn't really going to change anything. A few weeks of practice sessions to dial in the partial iron shots and scores would be basically the same.

I think the main problem is that continuing to lengthen courses is using too many resources and too much water. Not exactly environmentally friendly. I'd be ok with balls that could only go about half as far and then making courses that take up half as much room and use half as many resources. I don't think the real problem is low scores.

sdandrea1

rsvman2

I'm not sure what problem the USGA is trying to solve. Courses don't need to be lengthened. Leave them like they are, let the boys and girls go LOW!

Par4QC

rsvman2 I don't think the real problem is low scores.

Really? Then why have courses been lengthened, and course owners always seeking more area to lengthen even more?
Why did they not shorten the courses, making the 350 drive obsolete?

Quit making the damn courses like a woman's body and make them like a man's.
Put the mowers away & fertilize. Plant trees/flowers/shrubbery.

It is 2023. And traditions do die. Always have. The old boys are the ones that have caused it in the golf world, yet they complain when things go awry? Funny old farts.

Eguller

rsvman2 I think the main problem is that continuing to lengthen courses is using too many resources and too much water. Not exactly environmentally friendly

This and consequently the $$$ is the main reason. The use of larger ‘waste’ sand areas, much smaller green areas, etc. is the future of golf.

Bravopilot

sdandrea1 Agreed, if the pros were shooting 57 every tournament or driving every Par 5 green then maybe there is a problem.

garyt1957

sdandrea1 I'm not sure what problem the USGA is trying to solve. Courses don't need to be lengthened. Leave them like they are, let the boys and girls go LOW!

And eventually they just won't be able to hit driver as they'll be hitting through fairways and into trouble. But really, is the average driving distance going up that much?

garyt1957

Par4QC Quit making the damn courses like a woman's body and make them like a man's.

You can tell Rex isn't a man of the times. Most guys nowadays are smoother than their women, lol.

rsvman2

Par4QC You missed my point, I think.

If golfers go low, it doesn't really have any lasting adverse effect on the world. But the ifmwe continue to lengthen courses, that could legitimately have an effect and cause a universal bad outcome.

In other words, I do think continuing to hit the ball farther is bad, but not for the same reasons that most people are considering.

Par4QC

garyt1957 Only my head. All else may be considered rough. 😄

sdandrea1

garyt1957 Most guys nowadays are smoother than their women, lol.

Why do you know that? 😂

garyt1957

sdandrea1. I spend my afternoons hanging out in the locker room at the Y. And I read Cosmo

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