Roll Back Discussion

I wonder how many people across the world considering getting into golf are going to think “oh, look - golf is about to become more difficult, I’m definitely going to take it up now.?”

The answer is zero.

The stupidity and ignorance of the people running the game never ceases to amaze me..

We’ve got to keep St Andrews relevant as a serious challenge eh??
 
Thats great news. Nobody wanted bifurcation. But something had to be done to clamp distance. Presumably they are going with the spec of the model local rule ball, so most of us wont tell the difference. I would have preferred a stronger roll back, with the typical amateur 220yd drive brought back to a 200 yd benchmark. Elite golfers back from 320 to 280. This one is better than nothing, but the worry is that in not being more aggressive, they are repaeating their mistake of 20 years ago when they set the 460cc too high, and .83COR too high. But it will take 20 years again to see whether this move definitevely puts the brakes on distance.
 
Let's keep evolving the game. I recommend we start making clubs from wood again.

I can just see the advertising now. Buy Callaway's new ChromeSoft Evolution, the SHORTEST ball in golf
 
Nobody
Mel Smooth said:
I wonder how many people across the world considering getting into golf are going to think “oh, look - golf is about to become more difficult, I’m definitely going to take it up now.?”

The answer is zero.
Click to expand...
Exactly. Take up of the game will not be influenced in the slightest by this.
If anything, an even shorter ball would rebalance the distance/skill ratio in golf, and make it more appealing to the average recreational golfer. But I guess they are judging this spec as as much as they can get away with, and better some roll back, and a red line, than none.
 
Wabinez said:
www.golfdigest.com

USGA, R&A to announce universal golf ball rollback next week

The USGA and R&A are expected to announce early next week that they will be changing the rules to roll back distance—and not just for elite players.
www.golfdigest.com www.golfdigest.com
Click to expand...
I hate being cynical but this smacks of a sop to the manufacturers to allow them to sell more conforming balls as people will have to trash their stocks of the old stuff.

There are 10's of millions of balls out there - by shares in Titleist, Bridgestone, etc.
 
Yep smart move from manufacturers, as the date becomes nearer many will buy and hoard.
Expect they'll likely work out how to minimise losses for weekend munchers and maybe will put a dent in the 'I wanna play same ball as tour pro' mentality for some more regular players.
 
Pretty pathetic attempt at roll back in my view, should have happened sooner too.
And a golf ball recycling/cashback scheme needs to be sorted to encourage the recreational golfers to change.
 
Mel Smooth said:
I wonder how many people across the world considering getting into golf are going to think “oh, look - golf is about to become more difficult, I’m definitely going to take it up now.?”

The answer is zero.

The stupidity and ignorance of the people running the game never ceases to amaze me..

We’ve got to keep St Andrews relevant as a serious challenge eh??
Click to expand...
The answer is zero because that isn't how anyone taking up the game has ever thought, and rollback doesn't fundamentally change the difficulties of the gane.

Players will still have air shots, hit the ground first, hit the ball halfway up, get the shanks, not be able to chip, suffer from the yips, be incapable of getting out of bunkers, not be able to read the greens, think they can use a wedge over 60deg, under club, etc.

The average amateur will not even notice any change because they don't use brand new premium balls (people using certain budget 'tour' balls are already seeing what a rollback looks like), but hitting the ball shorter and less deep into the bundu is actually going to help them.

Courses simply cannot keep getting longer.
 
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Just a thought but making grass longer on courses when the ball is off the fairway would cost nothing. How about the powers that be, if they can rule on balls, they can rule that first cut is two inch deep. Second cut 4”. After that knee deep. I have seen pros bomb it 20 yds off the fairway and have better lies than the middle of my fairway. I do not understand how the powers that be allow that to happen. There is no punishment on some courses for being off the fairway. Why? Some courses with the new ball you drive the ball 15 yds less. Wow, it means you play your second shot is with an 8 iron and not a nine. How’s that help.
 
I can see the people getting most upset in our club will be the lady members.
I suspect the roll back will be accompanied by a tee it forward campaign.
By and large there is less room on the forward tees but they are in better condition I can see this changing as the hackers use them more.
 
As I suggested earlier, the powers that be are going to have to give us amateurs several years " grace" to give us time to lose the millions of balls already in circulation. They did a similar,ar thing with the wedge groove rule
Assuming the Pros and Elite Amateurs change almost immediately doesn't that just give us, effectively, bifurcation for a few years?
Exactly what they want to avoid....
 
How was the original ball change handled? I seem to remember lots of small balls still being around from pickups in the 80's when I first played.
 
mikejohnchapman said:
I hate being cynical but this smacks of a sop to the manufacturers to allow them to sell more conforming balls as people will have to trash their stocks of the old stuff.

There are 10's of millions of balls out there - by shares in Titleist, Bridgestone, etc.
Click to expand...

I wonder how many balls are currently in circulation plus those temporarily lost

I'd guess it's in the low billions

Of those, many will still be playable after rollback anyway so no biggie




I'd also like to see an amnesty on premium balls where punters can hand them in to your local pro shop for recycling (free from prosecution) and get discount on a sleeve of pinnacles 😉



Also , For the record I don't care if the pros had to use a reduced ball different to club AMs, it's not like I ever played the same ball they do anyway, you'd have to be off your noodle to spend £50+ on a box of balls
 
Imurg said:
As I suggested earlier, the powers that be are going to have to give us amateurs several years " grace" to give us time to lose the millions of balls already in circulation. They did a similar,ar thing with the wedge groove rule
Assuming the Pros and Elite Amateurs change almost immediately doesn't that just give us, effectively, bifurcation for a few years?
Exactly what they want to avoid....
Click to expand...
Almost every equipment rule change has been applied to the elite game for several years before being applied to everyone - grooves, trampoline faces, etc. This will be no different and isn't the same as bifurcation.
 
Backache said:
I can see the people getting most upset in our club will be the lady members.
I suspect the roll back will be accompanied by a tee it forward campaign.
By and large there is less room on the forward tees but they are in better condition I can see this changing as the hackers use them more.
Click to expand...
Well it’s funny you should mention that, our course is under the guise of “ protect the course”. With that in mind I sent an email to our Secretary re going straight from the 12th green to the ladies tee on the 13th. It saves you slipping and sliding to the 13th tee. And it is safer. Obviously for roll ups only and not comps. I was told the 13 th ladies is small and it could become a mess. Oh right, sod safety then coz it “ could” be a mess. To make it more amusing we are going from the back nine onto the front nine from Monday. So like the rest of the back nine it would now have a rest. Apart from the weekends when everyone plays 18 Holes.
 
I think if the ball sizes are going to change, any found ones can stay lost. No point in picking them up ☹️
 
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