Rein in the ball? Okay, how much? And what will it do?

So this is my first post. Been following the forums for a few years but decided to start tossing in my $0.02 occasionally and thought I would start with something that I've been mulling over for a little while.

Considering all the recent talk about shortening the ball I wanted to put out the question. How much do people think it be shortened?

When considering, lets assume this will be universal for everyone. Personally, although I think bifurcation is an interesting concept, I have trouble seeing it working. Sure, it sounds good in concept, but, at least for me, half of the fun of golf is that you can use almost the exact same equipment as the pros and try the exact same shots. I just feel like having a tour only ball would take away from that. I think there is also the logistical issue of having to get all the world tours on board with idea as well. So think about how much you want the ball shortened, if at all, and how it will affect your game as well.

I'm planning on adding some more of my own thoughts in a bit but wanted to get this one question out of the way first.

I don’t think you have a lot of amateurs thinking they hit the ball too far.

Why not just post your thoughts in one of the dozen others threads on this topic.

Rolling the ball back is a very difficult thing to do, especially when the USGA keeps saying that the driver distance on tour hasn’t gone up by much. Although We may disagree, the numbers getting the most play are the DJs and Justin Thomases hitting the ball 340 off the tee.

For the most part the average player is not getting 30-40 yards more than a few years ago, but the best of the best are seeing big jumps in distance. It would be really hard for the USGA to roll back the ball at this point and if they did it might take the shorter hitters out of the game (pros).

If the pros were playing balls that curved like wound balls they wouldn’t hit them as far because they wouldn’t be swinging so hard. The fear of going OB would reign in some distance. The fact that today’s balls don’t curve much at allows these guys to rip at it as hard as they want.

Welcome to GolfWRX.

You're asking about one of the the most frequently commented upon topics on the forum over the past few months.

Why not just post your thoughts in one of the dozen others threads on this topic.

smh

So this is my first post. Been following the forums for a few years but decided to start tossing in my $0.02 occasionally and thought I would start with something that I've been mulling over for a little while.

 

Considering all the recent talk about shortening the ball I wanted to put out the question. How much do people think it be shortened?

 

When considering, lets assume this will be universal for everyone. Personally, although I think bifurcation is an interesting concept, I have trouble seeing it working. Sure, it sounds good in concept, but, at least for me, half of the fun of golf is that you can use almost the exact same equipment as the pros and try the exact same shots. I just feel like having a tour only ball would take away from that. I think there is also the logistical issue of having to get all the world tours on board with idea as well. So think about how much you want the ball shortened, if at all, and how it will affect your game as well.

 

I'm planning on adding some more of my own thoughts in a bit but wanted to get this one question out of the way first.

The search feature is your friend - there are multiple threads on this across various sections. Welcome to WRX.

Why not just post your thoughts in one of the dozen others threads on this topic.

what a nice, non-douchey, non-JO way to welcome the guy to the forum.

 

smh

Thanks.

Yesterday, at sea level on normally damp fairways, there were lots of drives in the 270 range, a few in the 300 range, but we didn't see the 30-40 yard rollout.

I think that there should be two balls - the present ball and a ball reduced 10%. PGA Tour average driving distance has increased from around 265 to around 290 since the advent of the titanium driver and the modern ball.

The reduced distance ball would be used by all golfers under certain specific situations, as stipulated by the course. Older, shorter courses could stipulate the reduced distance ball. Augusta National could stipulate it; the USGA could stipulate it if they go back to Merion, or for Pebble (shy of 7,000 yards) or other older courses. The PGA Tour could stay with the modern ball (perhaps for a time). You would play your league play with the present ball, unless you play a short course.

I think that over time the reduced distance ball would gain currency due to faster play, more difficult shot making, and general acceptance.

The USGA and R&A are about to release a joint statement on distance. I think that this will be interesting. Martin Slumbers said today that "we have probably crossed that line."

Last week I watched a WRX member we all know and love beating limited flight floaters over the pond and into the trees. I'm not sure I have ever even skipped one onto the beach. Really long is longer than you (me) and always will be regardless of equipment.

Just grow the grass, make it hurt to miss.

I think that there should be two balls - the present ball and a ball reduced 10%. PGA Tour average driving distance has increased from around 265 to around 290 since the advent of the titanium driver and the modern ball.

 

The reduced distance ball would be used by all golfers under certain specific situations, as stipulated by the course. Older, shorter courses could stipulate the reduced distance ball. Augusta National could stipulate it; the USGA could stipulate it if they go back to Merion, or for Pebble (shy of 7,000 yards) or other older courses. The PGA Tour could stay with the modern ball (perhaps for a time). You would play your league play with the present ball, unless you play a short course.

 

I think that over time the reduced distance ball would gain currency due to faster play, more difficult shot making, and general acceptance.

How would a spinnier ball, that spends more time going sideways, speed up play?

I think that there should be two balls - the present ball and a ball reduced 10%. PGA Tour average driving distance has increased from around 265 to around 290 since the advent of the titanium driver and the modern ball.

 

The reduced distance ball would be used by all golfers under certain specific situations, as stipulated by the course. Older, shorter courses could stipulate the reduced distance ball. Augusta National could stipulate it; the USGA could stipulate it if they go back to Merion, or for Pebble (shy of 7,000 yards) or other older courses. The PGA Tour could stay with the modern ball (perhaps for a time). You would play your league play with the present ball, unless you play a short course.

 

I think that over time the reduced distance ball would gain currency due to faster play, more difficult shot making, and general acceptance.

You think the shorter ball would gain popularity because it's more difficult to use? Why don't folks use persimmon drivers or at least the old 260cc or so metal woods I wonder?

How would a spinnier ball, that spends more time going sideways, speed up play?

I think that there should be two balls - the present ball and a ball reduced 10%. PGA Tour average driving distance has increased from around 265 to around 290 since the advent of the titanium driver and the modern ball.

 

The reduced distance ball would be used by all golfers under certain specific situations, as stipulated by the course. Older, shorter courses could stipulate the reduced distance ball. Augusta National could stipulate it; the USGA could stipulate it if they go back to Merion, or for Pebble (shy of 7,000 yards) or other older courses. The PGA Tour could stay with the modern ball (perhaps for a time). You would play your league play with the present ball, unless you play a short course.

 

I think that over time the reduced distance ball would gain currency due to faster play, more difficult shot making, and general acceptance.

You think the shorter ball would gain popularity because it's more difficult to use? Why don't folks use persimmon drivers or at least the old 260cc or so metal woods I wonder?

How would a spinnier ball, that spends more time going sideways, speed up play?

Who said it needs to be spinnier. Not me.