Mike Whan (CEO, USGA) announced the golf ball rollback and attended several TV interviews discussing the topic
The R&A and USGA have announced updates to golf ball testing conditions to be implemented from January 2028, aiming to address increased hitting distances’ impact on the sport’s long-term sustainability.
The revised conditions include a clubhead speed of 125 mph, spin rate of 2200 rpm, and launch angle of 11 degrees. This decision follows an analysis of data from worldwide tours and aims to ensure the Overall Distance Standard (ODS) remains effective.
The fastest players may experience a 13-15 yard reduction in drive distance, with average professionals seeing a 9-11 yard reduction. Recreational golfers, with an average swing speed of 93 mph for males and 72 mph for females, are expected to see minimal impact.
Existing balls conforming to 2027 standards can be used until January 2030. The decision aligns with the governing bodies’ commitment to golf’s future and results from the extensive Distance Insights project launched in 2018. The CEOs of the USGA and The R&A emphasise the importance of this decision in achieving a sustainable future for golf while minimising the impact on recreational players.
Graph – USGA
The governing bodies aim to preserve golf’s fundamental elements, protect course integrity, and manage economic and environmental impacts associated with increased distance. The Overall Distance Standard, first introduced in 1976, has been updated three times previously, with this being the first update to test speeds since 2004.
I don’t understand the anger about the golf ball roll back. It will make no difference whatsoever to the average golfer and puts golf back on a path of sustainability. It will also help bring back certain skills in the pro game that have been eradicated over the past 2 decades.…
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) December 3, 2023
There’s a lot of arguments to consider with this roll back, many of which we will only be decided with time. As individuals we all have biases to what we think and as such we need a governing body to make decisions on our behalf for the greater good. As much as it’s easy to hate…
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) December 3, 2023
Details on the study and complete technical data on the Distance Insights project can be found at www.usga.org/distance insights.
Under the new rollback rules:
-Longest male players will lose 13-15 yards on average with driver
-Average elite male players will lose 9-11 yards
-LPGA players, 5-7 yards
-Recreational players 5 yards or less
Photo – USGA
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