Roll Back Discussion

Rlburnside

Challenge Tour Pro
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
3,247
Visit site
It’s farcical. The cronies at the R&A and PGA are clearly bored.

14-15 yard loss for the big hitters is what’s being quoted, that’s only 5%. It seems like a very drastic measure for such a little difference. If you’re going to change it, change it!

The science suggests an extra 1mph clubhead speed returns 2-3 yards. On average, players need to find another 5mph if they want to continue hitting it the same distances. The slower swingers will be able to close that gap easier than Rory adding 5mph, they’ll all be hitting it the same and it could make for boring viewing. Granted, this could make them less accurate so surely just make the fairways narrower, that’s something every course can do at no extra charge.

Instead, manufacturers are going to have to spend significant amounts developing new conforming balls that will be given free of charge to the players as they’re sponsored athletes. Guess who’s paying for it…. us when a dozen proV1’s cost £70

All seems nonsensical to me!

I agree with you, instead of making the balls slower why not just have rough the way it’s supposed to be penal, don’t even have to make fairway’s narrower,

Let the pros hit it as as far as they want but don’t let them have an easy shot out of rough make it like most of us have to put up with.
 

D-S

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 31, 2020
Messages
2,976
Location
Bristol
Visit site
Can someone post a short summary
CBA to trawl through 250 + posts to find out what the fuss is all about 👍
Something’s happening in about 3 or 4 years which will make a difference to a bunch of multi millionaires which will have no bearing on our ability to moan about all aspects of a game we say we love; in the meantime we will be asked to pay a fortune for clubs that hit it further while at the same time be paying for our courses to be lengthened to accommodate them
 

Rlburnside

Challenge Tour Pro
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
3,247
Visit site
Didn't really work for Bryson at Winged Foot did it. Just smashed it up there, found it, wedged on.

I know it's an extreme example, but growing the rough, unless is it 8ft deep, isn't a productive solution. They still have the speed and power to get out of it...and probably favours the longer tour players more.


You can find a example to suit any scenario look at the guy at the Players ( can’t remember his name) but he was right up with leaders then a wayward drive and took 3 shots to get back on the fairway.

Generally if the rough is long enough even the pros should find it hard to play the next shot, that’s the way it should be imo, punish a bad shot, golf for the pros shouldn’t be about bombing it 300-350 then wedging it on a green
 

Lord Tyrion

Money List Winner
Moderator
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
26,690
Location
Northumberland
Visit site
Can someone post a short summary
CBA to trawl through 250 + posts to find out what the fuss is all about 👍
In 3 years time pro tournaments, and top amateur comps, will have a local rule in effect meaning they will have to use a ball that will go 5% less in distance. It won't affect the amateur game, hence why it will be a local rule.

It really isn't a big deal 🤷‍♂️
 

Junior

Tour Winner
Joined
Apr 1, 2007
Messages
5,024
Visit site
Didn't really work for Bryson at Winged Foot did it. Just smashed it up there, found it, wedged on.

I know it's an extreme example, but growing the rough, unless is it 8ft deep, isn't a productive solution. They still have the speed and power to get out of it...and probably favours the longer tour players more.

Fair point but you can grow thick clingy rough where the ball drops straight to the bottom. Think Paris National for the Ryder Cup or Bay Hill recently where you couldn't see the bottom of the ball.
 

clubchamp98

Journeyman Pro
Joined
Jan 23, 2014
Messages
15,943
Location
Liverpool
Visit site
I agree with you, instead of making the balls slower why not just have rough the way it’s supposed to be penal, don’t even have to make fairway’s narrower,

Let the pros hit it as as far as they want but don’t let them have an easy shot out of rough make it like most of us have to put up with.
don’t have ball spotters !
let them hit it as far as they like but change the rule that only people in your group can look for your ball.
That might make them think again.
 

Lord Tyrion

Money List Winner
Moderator
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
26,690
Location
Northumberland
Visit site
don’t have ball spotters !
let them hit it as far as they like but change the rule that only people in your group can look for your ball.
That might make them think again.
I like your thinking but their 5 hour rounds might become 6 hour rounds then 😳. Pro tournaments would either have to reduce numbers by a third or last 6 days 😆
 

Backsticks

Assistant Pro
Joined
Aug 7, 2012
Messages
3,675
Visit site
Can someone post a short summary
CBA to trawl through 250 + posts to find out what the fuss is all about 👍
To solve this problem :
TheProblem.jpg
elite golf competition will be played with a ball specification that curtails the distance of a typical long drive by about 15 yards to address the long-term trend of increased hitting distances and course lengthening that the R&A and USGA believe threatens golf’s long-term sustainability and undermines the core principle that a broad and balanced set of playing skills should remain the primary determinant of success in golf.
It comes into effect on January 1st 2026 by means of a Model Local Rule intended for use only in elite competitions and will have no impact on recreational golf, if adopted.
It is an unalloyed good thing.
 

Anoetic

New member
Joined
Aug 22, 2021
Messages
28
Visit site
Can’t we just reduce the number of clubs the pros can carry…..ban the lob wedge, rescue and 7 woods, and driving irons, and watch them having to manufacture shots again….I bet not many use a good old fashioned 1 iron these days 🤷‍♂️
 
Top