Golf: R&A and USGA want ball changes to rein in big-hitters

Golf’s governing bodies will introduce a new ball to reduce hitting distances, protect the integrity of courses and ensure the sport remains a ‘game of skill’.

Big-hitting Aussie Cameron Smith blazed through the Old Course at St Andrews with a score of 20 under par to win the Open. Picture: AFP

Golf’s governing bodies have announced plans to introduce a new “rolled back” golf ball for the professional game to reduce hitting distances off the tee, protect the integrity of existing golf courses and ensure that the sport remains a “game of skill”.

The R&A and USGA issued a joint statement detailing how a “model local rule” (MLR) is set to be brought in for elite player competitions – including the Open Championship and US Open – by January 2026 at the earliest. The governing bodies, which held discussions with manufacturers and stakeholders, say the changes will reduce length of tee shots by roughly 15 yards.

Players such as Bryson DeChambeau, who have struck drives of more than 450 yards, pose a challenge to courses designed with shorter distances off the tee in mind.

Augusta National’s famous par-five 13th has been extended by 35 yards to 545 yards ahead of next month’s Masters tournament due to the growing ease with which players can reach the green over Rae’s Creek in two strokes.

Over the past few decades, significant strides have been made in both golf ball and club technology, allowing players to strike the ball further.

According to the USGA, over the past 20 years, hitting distance has grown by one yard a year on average. These advances have led to a number of courses being extended – raising concerns over sustainability – while some older courses have become relatively uncompetitive. Last year, Australian Cameron Smith blazed through the Old Course at St Andrews, with a score of 20 under par to win the Open. In the past eight Open Championships held at the Old Course, the winners have recorded scores of 10 under or more on seven occasions.

“Hitting distances at the elite level of the game have consistently increased over the past 20, 40 and 60 years. It’s been two decades since we last revisited our testing standards for ball distances,” Mike Whan, the USGA chief executive, said. “The MLR we are proposing is simple to implement, forward-looking and does so without any impact on the recreational game.”

Martin Slumbers, the chief executive of the R&A, added: “We’ve crossed the rubicon with regards to hitting distance and where it is trending. It’s our responsibility to propose changes to protect the long-term integrity of our sport.”

The plan to reduce distance involves changing the overall distance standard (ODS) limit. At present, the ODS stipulates that balls launched at 120mph (193km/h) can travel no further than 320 yards. These parameters were set in 2004.

The new MLR rules will stipulate that, when tested, a ball must not travel further than the same 320-yard distance, but the balls will be launched at 127mph. According to data from the 2022 PGA Tour, the average club-head speed was 114.6mph, while the mean of the fastest 1 per cent was 127.5mph.

Manufacturers have until August 14 to make submissions.

“This is an important moment for our sport and for the future. I think this is a great way of us making sure that it remains a game of skill,” Slumbers said.

THE TIMES