Casual Golfer: Were you excited to see your tee shots consistently reach 250 yards? Regulators in the world of golf have bad news for you, because by 2030 your ball could end up about five meters shorter on the fairway.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) and the R&A (which organizes the Open in the professional men's tournament) announced on Wednesday several changes to the parameters used to test balls, particularly to shorten the distance they travel when launched have to put back.
All balls used on professional golf courses must have been tested using this new method from 2028. Sunday golfers will notice changes in their balls two years later.
The new regulations are primarily aimed at reducing the distance between tee shots for professionals. According to the Associated Press, some golfers have gained 30 yards in the last 25 years.
Especially long hitters
The impact will be particularly felt among long hitters on the professional tours, such as Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who averaged 326 yards off the tee in 2023. He is one of 98 PGA golfers to average over 300 yards off the tee.
Rory McIlroy. Photo AFP
McIlroy and the other ace drivers could lose between 13 and 15 yards with the new balls.
Other male golfers who don't hit as far hit 9 to 11 yards shorter. For LPGA golfers, the USGA speaks of a loss of between five and seven yards.
And she estimates that for recreational golfers, male or female, it will be about five yards or even less.
“It will be catastrophic”
However, American Keegan Bradley believes the USGA should revise its forecasts upwards.
The PGA golfer, whose comments were picked up by the website Golf Digest in recent days, recently said that equipment manufacturer Srixon had manufactured a golf ball for him that met the new criteria.
Keegan Bradley. Photo Getty Images via AFP
According to him, it lost between 40 and 50 yards of distance.
“It will be disastrous for an amateur golfer,” he said. I don't think that exists [une décision] dumber than that.”