It looks like things are coming to a head again between the professional golfers and the USGA-R& A , and things are not looking good and will become more “interesting” in the weeks to come.
In a very controversial pronouncement in early March of this year , the USGA and R&A proposed a rule that would limit the distance a golf ball can travel at the professional level starting in January 2026.
This rule would restrict how far the golf ball travels. It would reduce hitting distance by 14-15 yards on average for the longest hitters. In essence, the rule would reduce the limit for how fast the ball can travel at high club head speeds. Which means some alteration in the design of the balls.
This rule reminds me of the term “Tiger Proofing” during the peak of Tiger Woods. They tried to Tiger Proof some courses to level the playing field, that is shortening and narrowing the course to completely take the power play out of the game. But it did not stop Tiger and the long hitter from dominating the field in the advent modern technology.
“My reaction was disappointed and also not surprised, to be honest,” , it’s just- it’s so bad for the game of golf.” says Golf pro Justin Thomas, a known long hitter.” You’re trying to create a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist” he added.
You cannot stop the onslaught of technology. You cannot stop the golfers to seek ,research and collaborate with science and technology just to gain advantage in a very competitive and dollar rich golf tour.
When Tiger Woods and the rest of the modern era golfers revolutionize the game with their power and length, the golf governing bodies like the PGA reacted by increasing the length of the courses to somehow cushion the onslaught and redesign courses with additional hazard. But it is no match to the rampaging technology in the advent of additional researches and quest for more yardage.
Enter Bryson De Chambeau and the rest of the long hitters. Science and technology supported them with all the possible help they need just to gain advantage. And the revolution did not stop from there. Golfers became bulkier with their looks and physique. Gym works becomes a part of every golfer’s regimen. It made the chubby golfers like John Daly, Monty, etc look unhealthy when you compare to Rory ,Brooks ,Bryson and the rest of the young guns who made their visits to gym a part of the new normal.
“I think it’s the most unimaginative, uninspiring, game-cutting thing you could do. Everybody wants to see people hit it farther. That’s part of the reason why a lot of people like what I do,” said DeChambeau.
Primarily, the core function of the USGA in conjunction with R & A ( Royal and Ancient (Golf Club, St Andrews) is to write and interpret the Rules of Golf . They also provide products and services to make learning the Rules easier and more enjoyable to all golfers of any skill level.
And that makes golf interesting because unlike with other sports, golf has no world governing body to control it .
As to the USGA and R&A, they can make rules , even this controversial proposal but as long as it is a local rule, the PGA tour and the rest of the other organizations are not obliged to follow them.
