Roll Back Discussion

[nickjdavis]

PCC will be on hand to ensure handicaps remain unaffected by the change…

… right?

Not sure I’m that bothered about this. I didn’t like the sound of it at first, but, it’s the same for everyone - and I’m not sure it’ll make that much difference anyway. The weather and wind impacts the distance by a lot more than a few yards.

It’s probably about the same difference in yardage as you would experience when playing on a 28 degree day vs when it’s 12 degrees.

So it will rarely make a difference then here in the UK.

 

[Mel Smooth]

According to Rory, we’re doing it to save the planet.

 

[jim8flog]

Having read through the announcement two things I noticed

"A significant portion of golf ball models that are currently in the market – and more than 30 percent of all golf ball models submitted for conformance across the game – are expected to remain conforming after these changes are applied"

Included in the announcement was their intention to keep an eye on driver 'creep' and ensure that drivers meet existing requirements and a noticeable eye on driver forgiveness.

 

[jim8flog]

I would say that if I am still playing in January 2028 I would hope I have used up my stock of new balls by then. I certainly will be very careful about buying any more between now and then.

If I go through 2 dozen a year (about what I do now) I will still have a few new ones and just hope they meet the requirement but I cannot see those balls being submitted for testing.

 

[Backsticks]

Having read through the announcement two things I noticed

"A significant portion of golf ball models that are currently in the market – and more than 30 percent of all golf ball models submitted for conformance across the game – are expected to remain conforming after these changes are applied"

As discussed last night :

 

[Backsticks]

Having read through the announcement two things I noticed

"A significant portion of golf ball models that are currently in the market – and more than 30 percent of all golf ball models submitted for conformance across the game – are expected to remain conforming after these changes are applied"

It does show what nonsense all the 'lots of people will leave the game because of this' was. People were already rolled back, and didnt even notice it !

 

[Gopher]

According to Rory, we’re doing it to save the planet.

According to Greg, we're growing the game

 

[Backsticks]

Get better at the short game....simples....
One thing in golf that really does annoy me is people who moan when they can't reach a par 5 in 2 shots....welcome to the Real world.

Its a par 5 !!! Three shots plus two putts !!!

 

[rulefan]

Its a par 5 !!! Three shots plus two putts !!!

Only 2?? Show off.

 

[clubchamp98]

A soft ball, think Callaway Supersoft, hit hard (120) is going to squash so much that it's going tomuse a lot of it's energy regaining it's shape, energy that ls lost which reduces distance.
Hit with a slower SS (90) there is less squash so less energy is lost so you get more distance. With a harder ball there is minimal squash so better energy transfer.
I can see it a my speed (95ish).
If I hit a ProV1x it leaves a mark about 1cm or so in diameter
Hit a Supersoft and the mark is double the size.

Yes I have gone from a pro V1 to Bridgestone BRX designed for swings under 105 mph. (I’m 98mph)
its longer than the Pro V but dosnt stop anywhere near as fast as the Pro V.

 

[Oddsocks]

By the time it’s implemented, every major ball manufacturer will have figured out how to make a ball that passes the test, but goes further under other conditions.

It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Titliest were able to put a ball into production tomorrow that could.

100%. The major players will all ready be well down the line with r&d, some may even be changing manufacturing schedules. I would guess ramping up one last run of the current ball. I also wouldn’t be surprised if one of the manufactures had prior warning to give them the edge.

On a seperate note, wtf is going to happen with all the pick ups and old stock if it’s not sold or used?

 

[clubchamp98]

100%. The major players will all ready be well down the line with r&d, some may even be changing manufacturing schedules. I would guess ramping up one last run of the current ball. I also wouldn’t be surprised if one of the manufactures had prior warning to give them the edge.

On a seperate note, wtf is going to happen with all the pick ups and old stock if it’s not sold or used?

People will still use them for social golf!
The new balls will be for comps and GP cards.

 

[Backsticks]

100%. The major players will all ready be well down the line with r&d, some may even be changing manufacturing schedules. I would guess ramping up one last run of the current ball. I also wouldn’t be surprised if one of the manufactures had prior warning to give them the edge.

On a seperate note, wtf is going to happen with all the pick ups and old stock if it’s not sold or used?

Maybe that what the R&A fears, so pre-emptive strike. If you are right, then all the complainers are giving themselves needless grief. They will lost nothing at all.

Range balls will be the big loser in the short term. The amount of balls that will flood from courses to ranges will be huge.

 

[Deleted member 25575]

Not sure if this has been asked before, but what happens to the millions (billions?) of balls that are currently in existence?

 

[Swango1980]

Not sure if this has been asked before, but what happens to the millions (billions?) of balls that are currently in existence?

High performance driving range balls

 

[Backsticks]

People will still use them for social golf!
The new balls will be for comps and GP cards.

I am perfectly happy playing an AD333 or even a Tour Response when playing a few practice holes, and they stretch to 20 or 30 holes. And only break out a new AVX every 4th hole when playing competitions. So different balls for practice and real play already part of my routine. Run down my stash of AVX (and ProV1 for windy days) over the next few years and will be good to restock with AVX-Rollbacks.

 

[Oddsocks]

Maybe that what the R&A fears, so pre-emptive strike. If you are right, then all the complainers are giving themselves needless grief. They will lost nothing at all.

Range balls will be the big loser in the short term. The amount of balls that will flood from courses to ranges will be huge.

Based on one of my local ranges it’ll be a god send. Why revenue will be down, their balls are shocking!

 

[Imurg]

Not sure if this has been asked before, but what happens to the millions (billions?) of balls that are currently in existence?

Don't forget that this rollback means nothing to casual non handicap golfers...
Approximately 25 million golfers in USA and only 3 million have handicaps....22 million people to sell old balls to...
How they differentiate between old and new is a question that needs careful thought.

 

[D-S]

People will still use them for social golf!
The new balls will be for comps and GP cards.

I can just see it - “are you putting a GP card in? Yup, hang on let me get my short ball out from the comp/GP pocket, must remember to use them if I need a provisional or lose one.”

 

[wjemather]

100%. The major players will all ready be well down the line with r&d, some may even be changing manufacturing schedules. I would guess ramping up one last run of the current ball. I also wouldn’t be surprised if one of the manufactures had prior warning to give them the edge.

On a seperate note, wtf is going to happen with all the pick ups and old stock if it’s not sold or used?

Based on Mike Whan's comments, there's no chance the USGA or The R&A have given a special heads-up to anyone. They've all had 20 years of warning that something like this was coming.

There's 6 full years of golf to get through before recycling non-conforming balls becomes a pressing issue. And they can always still be used for practice - I remember having a fair few 1.62" balls in the shag bag for years after they were phased out. Unlike this, that change was a significant distance rollback.