Are we ahead of our time?!
The USGA and R&A recently released a joint statement, indicating that they are considering reducing the launch speed of a standard golf ball.
The proposal, officially announced in a press conference led by the USGA chief executive Mike Whan and R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers, calls for a model local rule (MLR) that would increase the test speed for golf balls used at elite competitions from the current 120mph to 127mph – all but assuring that current golf balls would break the testing barrier of 293 metres/320 yards. The test would not change for the golf balls used for recreational play, but the balls used under this new proposed test for elite competition could result in a distance decrease of at least 15-20 metres, perhaps more.
The incredible technological advancements in golf ball design and construction have been a subject of concern for us for some time now.
We applaud these two governing bodies for finally bringing a proposal to the table.
Unfortunately, they're making a complete Balls Up of it!
Back in 2021 we produced this Video - The Golf Ball Roll Back.
At the time, we announced!
'The Golf Ball Flies Too Far!'
This is a call for action.
It’s time to stop talking about the distance issue with golf today, to stop wasting time with studies and reports.
It’s time to for golf to change, to adapt, to evolve.
That time is NOW!
Unfortunately, there is much opposition to a Golf Ball Roll Back. Golfers at all levels are not interested in losing distance. Amateur golfers, seniors, women, juniors and most amateur golfers feel they need all the help they can get!
So, the USGA and R&A come up with bifurcation! They are proposing the development of 'Tour Only' golf balls, which are tested differently and therefore have reduced speed potential.
Well, the tour players aren't happy! Nor should they be. They have worked incredibly hard to develop all of that power and they are going to be rewarded by being forced to play with a reduced flight golf ball.
Hey, who cares right? Who cares if the Professionals hit the ball 340 yards or 320 yards, they're earning the big bucks! The real problem with bifurcation is for the fringe players, the wannabe's, the elite amateurs. Ultimately, if there are two sets of rules for golf ball manufacturing, then there will be cross overs. Many elite players will be switching between the current 'Long' ball and the newer 'Short' ball.......often! These fringe players will be playing amateur tournaments or pro-am events in between trying to compete on a major tour. It's inevitable! And it's unfair!
If the governing bodies are going to Roll The Golf Ball Back, and they should, then it needs to be for every golfer. It's the fairest way forward for everyone concerned. One of the beautiful aspects of this great game, is it gives mere mortals the opportunity to test their skills against the Tour Professionals, with the same equipment. No-one should take that away!
So, what should we do? No golfer wants to lose distance but we simply must reduce the distances the golf ball travels for the very future of our sport.
We believe we have the answer:
The new REVA Golf Ball by Callaway is a good golf ball but is unremarkable except for 1 very distinguishing detail - it’s BIGGER!
9 percent Bigger!
The diameter of the REVA Golf Ball is 1.73 inches. Standard diameter is 1.68 inches.
Callaway is marketing the REVA as a golf ball for women, and it is.
It’s a soft, low compression ball, perfect for golfers with slower swing speeds, maximizing launch and flight for these players.
Of course, we can include junior golfers, beginners and seniors among those who would enjoy playing the Callaway REVA.
“Any time you have the choice, it’s silly to play the big ball. The small ball is so much easier to play because it goes farther and straighter. The big ball is tougher to play and requires more skill. That’s why the British have been producing better golfers recently.”
- Jack Nicklaus
The greatest golfer of all time was also a fan of the smaller balls. Here’s Jack Nicklaus speaking on the eve of the small-ball-approved 1971 World Cup of Golf, which was played at PGA National Golf Club, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.:
The major benefit for these golfers is the ease of getting the ball airborne.
The extra size raises the equator, which makes it easier to strike the bottom of the ball, for shots from the fairway, the rough and especially around the greens.
However, the really exciting feature will never be advertised by Callaway.
That is, the loss of distance for golfers with higher swing speeds.
It’s a great ball for swing speeds up to 80mph, but swing faster and you’ll see a drop in performance, particularly with the driver.
Players like Bryson De Chambeau and Dustin Johnson could lose as much as 50 yards from the tee!
That’s great news! Why?
Because the Golf Ball flies TOO FAR!
Golf in general is facing a multitude of issues arising from the improvements in golf ball technology.
Problems such as the need to build longer golf courses.
This is expensive and time consuming for maintenance, so therefore golf prices go up.
There are safety issues to consider as well as the speed of play.
We believe that the The R&A and the United State Golf Association (USGA) should set the wheels in motion for all golfers to play with a larger golf ball
“There’s so many winners by rolling back the ball, or rolling back the equipment,”
“In terms of cost — the cost of building a golf course, the cost of maintaining a golf course, the speed of play is going to be incredibly improved by reducing the distance, by reducing the size of the golf course and also reducing the amount of waiting time on par-5s and par-4s, Old golf courses come back into play, great golf courses come back into play.
Environmentally, reducing the footprint. So many reasons to roll it back.
Dangerous! It’s really dangerous. Golf balls go so far.”
Padraig Harrington ‧ Three-time major winner and soon-to-be World Golf Hall of Famer
Let’s consider a ball with a diameter of 1.75 inches, or even 1.8 inches.
Let’s reel in the ridiculous distances, which PGA Tour players are hitting the ball.
At the same time, we’ll be developing golf at the grass roots levels, making golf easier, faster, safer and less expensive.
The transition required, to change over to a bigger ball will take a few years.
That’s why it is vitally important that golf’s governing bodies take action now and save this great game!