USGA DISTANCE INSIGHT

[Shilgy]

As I recall it was 34 yards of roll. I was amazed it showed 280 carry for a fairway wood for Webb. 314 total. And it was downwind. Which is not crazy. The typical wrx’r stands on the tee and thinks his tee shot only rolled ten yards because from behind it appears to be much less than from the side or from above as seen on tv. But here in Phoenix the conditions are typically firm and fast.

[bladehunter]

I do know that. Bu to also think you and I agree more than you’d like to admit.

 

To me its simple. I look at it from a longer hitters perspective who knows that how far I hit it doesn’t matter. What matters is how far my opponent hits it. If I’m pushed from several wedges a round back to 8-7 irons. I’m ok. Because that takes my opponent and makes him go from 7-8 irons to 5-6 iron. And that’s huge.

 

I think you see it from a longer hitters perspective who doesn’t want to hit it shorter. Period. It just doesn’t bother me. My strength is irons game usually anyway.

[Shilgy]

Weird, I was about to reply to this....your post #14 says they only increased 2-3 yards in the last 20 years which is obviously incorrect by over ten yards and the quote says “last couple of years”.

[clevited]

That is a big negative on your observation of me. I pride myself on looking at things from all points of view and thinking about whether the idea is valid or not. I simply cannot sign off on any changes to today's equipment, not just because I think it is unnecessary, but because the amount of change would absolutely need to be drastic in order to achieve what they was to achieve.

[bladehunter]

Yes. Tiger says same. It’s easy to see if you want to look with an open mind.

 

Mans the evidence is all around. The amount of people against a rollback tells the tale. They “ know it “ to be true. But nobody wants to admit it. Or give it up.

[caniac6]

I'm 65, and the average age where I play is probably, at least, somewhere in the 50s. I haven't heard anyone in our gangsomes say they hit the ball too far. A lot of guys have moved up 1-2 sets of tees since I have been a member at my club. Distance is a problem for some golfers, but not what the USGA is talking about.

[Shilgy]

The difference is that in golf, like bowling, the ball is not used by both teams or even both individuals as in tennis but is a part of the players equipment. So there are standards for size and initial velocity and such but variances for player performance. Some players require a softer ball, some firmer, some spinner to best suit their game. A standard ball would unfairly suit a certain players to the detriment of others.

Are you also going to suggest that all must use the same irons and woods?

[indiangolfer]

Perhaps slow fairways and fast greens?

[bladehunter]

That’s looking at it from a bottom line economic point of view. Look at it from a “ better late than never “ point of view. A small amount would be huge . And I don’t call phasing drivers down in size to say 320cc and phasing out current balls over next 10 years drastic. It would literally not hurt equipment sales. Nobody claims that less wedges were sold because of the groove rule. Probably more were sold.

 

So you’re against change why ?

[MOAB]

Distance isn’t the problem, the lack of spin is. Players are less cautious off the tee today knowing they can basically close their eyes and bomb it with little consequence.

[Shilgy]

Lol, are you new here? Over 2/3 of wrx averages well beyond the tour boys off the tee. You should know that by now.

 

But seriously no one wants to lose yardage in golf. Even if you guys are correct that it would level the playing field a bit.

I will issue a challenge though for this thread. All of us should agree that if we have something new to the subject at hand we will post it. Otherwise we will refrain. All of this has been discussed over and over and over again. That will certainly be my last here lol!

[tungstenplug]

What do you mean some players "require" a different ball to suit their game? Could they also "require" slower greens and shorter holes to suit their game?

Edited February 26, 2023 by tungstenplug

[fpyle3]

Why can't the USGA/R&A have their respective tournament committees solve most of the "problem" they are seeing through course set-up? While I think many casual fans prefer seeing guys rip driver all over the course, then going flag hunting with wedges and short irons from the rough, why not actually make the rough a little penal or squeezing in the fairways beyond maybe 300-320? That would even the playing field most weeks, and would not necessarily render shorter courses obsolete. Merion proved a nice test at maybe 7,000 yards, if that, and arguably the best all around player at that time won. Pure distance is an advantage when you have virtually no penalty for being a little offline, but grow the rough where you need to land an 8-iron short of the green to get it close to a pin and then you bring strategy back into play. Just my $0.02.

[Shilgy]

You know exactly what was meant. Do you find some balls are better for your game than others? Do you perhaps prefer a ball that is different than your buddies that play a different style of play? Why should all of you be forced to play the same equipment? A standard ball would suit certain players, to the detriment of others.

ps you analogy to basketball and soccer does not work because all players make contact with the same ball during the game.

[bladehunter]

The playing field is too level now. Let’s tip it sideways and see where the new dominant player falls from. Do you want to tell your grandkids about the next Jack , or about the 267 different winners you saw over the next 10 years ?

[bladehunter]

May as well close the thread then. There isn’t anything new to say.

some want to see long drive. Some want to see second shots longer than sand wedge. That’s the boiled down version.

[clevited]

Again, because it is stupid. I hate stupidity, there is enough of it in this world. To me it is no less stupid than some of the dumb rules that already plague our sport like no relief from fairway divots, or the severe penalties from OB or lost ball.

[tungstenplug]

.

Edited February 26, 2023 by tungstenplug

[Wesquire]

It is still stratified enough. When the elite players are on their A+ game, they still lap the field.

[mmack067]

I know a lot of people romanticize the old days, but I like to see things evolve and move forward over time. I'd be perfectly happy if things continued on within the current rules. With that said, if they insist on stopping distance gains my order of preference would be:

Freeze it as it is now, don't go backwardsRollback some amount for everyoneLiterally any other solutionBifurcation (be it ball, or otherwise)I think bifurcation will be incredibly tough to implement in a fair manner, especially on new professionals.

[bladehunter]

So. Side note. I’ll take up a collection and send it to your PayPal if you go to the rules section in the “ which rule would you change “ thread , and ask why you can’t get relief from a fairway divot. Serious. Lol. Would be an epic sight to see.

 

But seriously. I hate stupidity too. I guess we just have different experiences involving it

 

[Dr. Hack]

in efforts to make this thread even longer, I’ve often wondered if Tiger benefitted a little unfairy from being at the cutting edge of the modern club and ball revolution, in terms of his unique access through sponsors. At least for a couple years. I think it’s plausible he was the only one to have proV1’s in the bag for a while? Discuss amongst yourselves.

[Shilgy]

Cheating is not the discussion. Superior is not the discussion. A better fit is. Are you also against adjustable clubs? Should every player have to use a driver set closed because that suits you best? That is totally different than your interpretation. Why not just issue a standard set of clubs? No more being fit for clubs that fit you best. The 6’4” player must use the same clubs as the player that is 5’6”. That is the equivalent of your one ball idea for golf.

[bladehunter]

Maybe for a year or so. After that he actually watched his advantage be given away to other players. Longer drivers , graphite , and the ball catching on saw everybody catch up to him ( relatively ). He started the fire that stole his huge advantage. Granted. He still has a large advantage. But at one time he wasn’t beatable if he didn’t beat himself.

[mmack067]

Same size shoes too, of course.

[Wesquire]

I think Nike and Bridgestone both had solid core balls out before the Pro V1 and they definitely gave a huge advantage.

[CasualLie]

I see in the not too distant future Callaway’s new driver - the “Bifur”.

With new interchangeable face technology. Color coded face so you will know if your competitor is cheating!

Now here’s something for the new Premier League Golf Tour - a league ball.

[Dr. Hack]

Interesting. This sounds like it might be the case after looking into it. Didn’t realize he had adopted their balls so early. Titleist always claimed to be first.

[QuigleyDU]

I will ask this question. .

 

The USGA is proposing or assessing are thinking about requiring limited flight equipment of some kind on a cases by case or as needed by courses.

 

Would you buy limited equipment to play those courses? If required?

[DFS PFD]

Absolutely not, for tournaments where the governing bodies wish to implement a local rule that mandates different equipment must be use (such as the ball) they should be on the hook for providing the balls not only for the tournament but all practice leading up to and during that week. And if they choose to have such a ludicrous rule, they should only allow one brand of ball so they can really have the "level playing field" which means they will have to battle OEM's as well.