Jay Monahan (Commissioner, PGA Tour)
In a move that has sent ripples through the golfing community, the PGA Tour and PGA of America have taken a stand against the decision by the USGA and The R&A to universally roll back the golf ball. The R&A’s contentious distance rollback decision, announced last week, aims to shrink driving distances on the PGA Tour by 9-15 yards, commencing in 2028. The recreational game is set to adopt the new golf ball in 2030, introducing an average 5-yard impact per drive, as indicated by data provided by the USGA.
The PGA Tour’s official statement expressed a mix of approval and concern. “Throughout the process, we have provided feedback to the USGA and The R&A and are pleased to see a number of our recommendations reflected in this most recent announcement,” the statement reads. However, it also highlights a discordant note: “We believe the proposed increase in test clubhead speed to 125 mph is disproportionate to the rate of increase we see when analyzing PGA Tour radar data. In conjunction with guidance from the Player Advisory Council, Player Directors, and Policy Board, we will continue to share our feedback with the USGA and The R&A.”
This clash of opinions comes on the heels of a feedback period initiated after the USGA and The R&A proposed a Modern Local Rule (MLR) in March. Both the PGA Tour and PGA of America openly opposed the proposed move, potentially leading to a scenario where players would have to switch between different types of golf balls in various prestigious tournaments.
Photo – PGA Tour