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MikeD
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2004
6964 posts

Distance Roll Back

USGA and R&A are looking into a ball rollback in elite competition (men’s college and tour events sounds like)

LINK

quote:

In short, this would be a form of bifurcating the equipment rules where elite players would use equipment tested at different standards compared to how equipment used by all other golfers is deemed conforming. The sources detailed that the model local rule would apply to the way the golf ball used in these competitions is tested for conformance.


quote:

Today’s new announcement only focuses on the ball and only for elite events, and suggests no specific changes for club performance rules. One possible outcome of a model local rule providing for a shorter golf ball: Events held at certain historic venues—Augusta National, the Old Course—could employ such a ball for their events.


Hou_Lawyer
Rice Fan
Houston, TX
Member since Jun 2019
1694 posts
 Online 

re: Distance Roll Back
Manufacturers have to be fuming but there’s no other way to combat distance gains without more lengthening courses ( > $). Bifurcation solves this but there will be confusion w the average Joe on what ball or clubs the pros are playing versus advertising different products for the masses.


CoachChappy
LSU Fan
Member since May 2013
32154 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
quote:

there will be confusion w the average Joe on what ball or clubs the pros are playing versus advertising different products for the masses.

This will be a big problem. Whether it fits their game or not, people want to play what the pros use. Also, locals organizing tournaments will be a shite show. “USGA rules”


The Johnny Lawrence
Member since Sep 2016
2097 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
My question bufurcating is what ball will you play at the State Am? Like where is the line.

Feel bad for the high level ams that may have to switch back and forth.


Swagga
New Orleans Saints Fan
504
Member since Dec 2009
15615 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
quote:

One possible outcome of a model local rule providing for a shorter golf ball: Events held at certain historic venues—Augusta National, the Old Course—could employ such a ball for their events.



I wouldn’t completely have an issue with this, especially for the open championship. I don’t think it needs to go past that though, there’s no reason guys at the state Am need to play a different ball because Bryson is hitting it too far.
This post was edited on 3/14 at 7:56 am


SingleMalt1973
Member since Feb 2022
9634 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
The only Amateur events it would really matter would be those that qualify for Masters, US Open and The Open. Since they would be required to play the shorter ball if they won the Amateur event that gets them in the field for those majors.


The Johnny Lawrence
Member since Sep 2016
2097 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
I would be interested in seeing if the properties of the rolled back ball may actually benefit the slower swing speeds where you see some Ams playing the pro ball. I think it's unlikely, but it would be interesting.

And I can't see the pros using two different balls depending on the tournament. Some guys are still using pro vs from years ago. They aren't going to want to switch back and forth.


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medtiger
LSU Fan
Member since Sep 2003
21514 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
quote:

The only Amateur events it would really matter would be those that qualify for Masters, US Open and The Open.


Agree. I doubt this makes it down to the state am level. One interesting point was made in an article I read...how does the USGA handle US Open qualifying? They have handicap requirements that are going to be achieved by players who are using the regular ball, then host a tournament forcing those same players to use the new shorter ball. I guess they'll just say, "oh well, deal with it."


hehateme2285
LSU Fan
Katy, TX
Member since Dec 2007
5062 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
quote:

..how does the USGA handle US Open qualifying? They have handicap requirements that are going to be achieved by players who are using the regular ball, then host a tournament forcing those same players to use the new shorter ball. I guess they'll just say, "oh well, deal with it."


I'd guess local qualifying will be able to use a regular ball, sectionals will have to employ the shorter distance ball. That was the path they took with the groove changes, before it eventually was required by everyone.

The real question is US Am qualifying.
This post was edited on 3/14 at 10:16 am


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redfishfan
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2015
4201 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
A very dumb idea IMO. If you want to keep guys from pounding drivers way down there narrow in the fairways down there and grow the rough up tall and thick. Nothing good is going to come from them rolling back the ball.


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Dire Wolf
Houston Astros Fan
bawcomville
Member since Sep 2008
36071 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
quote:

A very dumb idea IMO. If you want to keep guys from pounding drivers way down there narrow in the fairways down there and grow the rough up tall and thick. Nothing good is going to come from them rolling back the ball.



Bryson won the US open due to the USGA doing just that.



redfishfan
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2015
4201 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
quote:

Bryson won the US open due to the USGA doing just that.


So a guy wins one major with that strategy and we gotta roll back the ball. How that strategy work for him at Augusta?


makersmark1
Auburn Fan
earth
Member since Oct 2011
14882 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
quote:

This will be a big problem. Whether it fits their game or not, people want to play what the pros use. Also, locals organizing tournaments will be a shite show. “USGA rules”


Then “they” are not taking advantage of matching their ball to the swing speed and skill level.

ProV1/TP5/Z star: high swing speed, high skill

Supersoft/Duo/Tour Soft: me


iwyLSUiwy
New Orleans Pelicans Fan
I'm your huckleberry
Member since Apr 2008
32631 posts
 Online 

re: Distance Roll Back
quote:

One possible outcome of a model local rule providing for a shorter golf ball: Events held at certain historic venues—Augusta National, the Old Course—could employ such a ball for their events.


I'd love for the players to not be able to eat up those courses, but having them use two different types of balls throughout the year would be odd with the players needing to know yardages for wo separate balls.


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Dire Wolf
Houston Astros Fan
bawcomville
Member since Sep 2008
36071 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
quote:

So a guy wins one major with that strategy and we gotta roll back the ball. How that strategy work for him at Augusta?



it really wasn't just him, US open winners over the course of the last decade have all been bombers outside of Webb and speith. Bryson, DJ, rahm, Brooks, Woodland, Rory.

Everyone hits it into the rough at the US Open, it is better to be hitting 8/9/PW than 6/7/8 out of it.

I don't think changing the ball is really going to do anything to stop big hitters from winning but I can see why the courses want it. They have to be sick of dumping money into extending the course every decade or so.
This post was edited on 3/14 at 3:19 pm


AlxTgr
LSU Fan
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
80542 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
quote:

Feel bad for the high level ams
This was my first thought. Those guys have to make the switch at some point. When?


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Tyga Woods
Louisiana Tech Fan
South Central Jupiter Island, FL
Member since Sep 2016
28084 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
Does it really matter as long as everyone is playing the same ball during a competition?


SingleMalt1973
Member since Feb 2022
9634 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
The problem isn’t really about penalizing the bombers. If anything they will still have an advantage. I saw where the number on the new ball would be 317 yards. So a guy that only drives it 300 maybe hitting the new ball 280. While the long hitters are still gonna hit it 310-317. They have to do it cause many of the courses they play the Majors at can’t keep up with distance gains of 5-7yds on tee balls every 5 years. If nothing changes by 2030 you would need a damn near 9000 yard course for the US Open to keep scores around Even par.


Tyga Woods
Louisiana Tech Fan
South Central Jupiter Island, FL
Member since Sep 2016
28084 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
quote:

the courses they play the Majors at can’t keep up with distance gains of 5-7yds on tee balls every 5 years.

They Tiger-proofed courses years ago. They can do it again. Grow the rough up, move trees around, add some water.

So far this year I’ve seen quite a few short par 4’s eat pros up.

Par 3’s like the 12th at august is a 9 iron, 17 at TPC last week was a pitching wedge.
This post was edited on 3/14 at 4:25 pm


The Johnny Lawrence
Member since Sep 2016
2097 posts

re: Distance Roll Back
I think "tiger proofing" the courses made it easier for him to win.


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