As golfers familiarize themselves with the details of the USGA and R&A’s proposed Model Local Rule (MLR) that would allow “elite” competitions to force players to use a shorter ball, there is no shortage of opinions not on topic (as anyone who follows Golf Twitter knows). Compiling these opinions and understanding them is best left to experts. Golf Datatech, a Kissimmee, Fla.-based research company, fits that description and has released the results of its first investigation related to the ball recoil project.
“This rollback of the golf ball is a hot topic on the professional tours and within the amateur golf community, particularly among top players who rely on distance as a key element of their game,” said John Krzynowek, founding partner of Golf Datatech. “That’s why we accelerated this survey of serious golfers to lay the foundation so we can assess how perceptions and opinions on this issue have evolved over time. »
The survey was conducted among 1,250 “serious golfers” (an opt-in group identified by the company). The group was asked a series of multiple-choice and open-ended questions regarding MLR. Although opinions are predictably varied, those opposed outnumber those in favor more than twice as many.
Views on the proposed rule:
Among those who DO NOT support the model local rule:
Open comments among those who DO NOT SUPPORT the Model Local Rule include:
Among those who SUPPORT the model local rule:
Open comments among those supporting the Model Local Rule:
Respondents were also asked what impact the proposed new rule would have on their personal enjoyment of the game, and the results were as follows:
The survey did not include questions regarding interest in professional gaming, but Krzynowek stressed that this was just the beginning of data collection. “What is certain is that this subject will not disappear and we will continue to analyze the issue in the weeks to come,” he said.
