The updates released today are:
Hobbies
1 – Potential changes to golf ball testing methods
Evaluate the effect of increasing club head speed used to determine compliance with the Overall Distance Standard (ODS) at least 125 mph and to use optimized launch angle and spin settings ( which are specific to each ball tested). In conjunction with the potential new testing conditions for ODS, the muzzle velocity test may be modified or eliminated to provide an opportunity for innovation for shorter hitters. These potential changes would apply to balls used at all levels of the game.
2 – Model local rules – Club performance
Study the impact of reducing allowable spring force and moment of inertia in drivers. Governing bodies are considering these topics in the context of model local rules that could be used for competitions involving elite golfers at the highest level. It is also worth considering whether adoption of these potential model local rules could also allow for the elimination of the MOI limit for recreational golfers, which could facilitate greater innovation and provide modest distance increases to this level of the game.
Golf stakeholders can provide feedback and research on these topics by September 2, 2022.
Distance in golf
The Distance Insights report published in 2020 identified a long-term cycle of increasing hitting distance and lengthening courses that governing bodies believe is detrimental to golf and the way it is played. Specifically, the report highlights how this cycle has impacted, and will likely continue to impact, the strategic challenge of the game and the variety of skills needed to succeed.
The report also reveals that the general trend toward lengthening golf courses has adverse consequences that ultimately affect golfers at all levels of the sport, including increasing the cost and playing time, limiting the advancement of sustainable development efforts, particularly with regard to water use and reducing the difficulty of courses – in some cases creating a risk of them becoming obsolete.
The USGA and R&A are working with golf’s key stakeholders to address these issues and ensure that skill continues to be the primary determinant of success in golf.
Governing bodies also explored how course factors, such as layout, conditioning and maintenance, could be selectively used to influence how a course plays. These factors have a modest and variable impact on distance, cost and golfer experience and therefore should not be considered as a means to sustainably reduce the long-term impact of distance in the game. These potential practices will continue to be considered as part of ongoing discussions with industry on distancing.
In line with Equipment Regulation procedures, the latest areas of focus confirm the key areas of focus of the governing bodies but do not represent a proposal or decision on any aspect at this stage.
“We are moving forward with this important work because we want golf to remain as strong in 50 years as it is today,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan. “It inspires us all to do what is in the best interest of the game and make it prosper in the long term.”
Martin Slumbers, Managing Director of The R&A, said: “We have worked through this process carefully and collaboratively with the golf industry and greatly appreciate the constructive feedback we have received. Our thinking on these areas continues to evolve and we believe we are moving in the right direction to maintain the balance between skill and technology in golf, which we have called important. We will continue to work quickly but cautiously as we seek to resolve this complex and challenging issue for the sport as a whole.
