For the first time, golf’s governing bodies are prepared to allow for significant differences in rules between elite players and other golfers as a way to combat the distances gained from the sport with the advancement of technology.
Known as a ‘fork’, this would mean that professional tours and elite amateur competitions could force competitors to use restricted equipment, while allowing everyday players to reap the benefits of those technological gains.
The U.S. Golf Association and R&A have jointly announced that they are proposing changes to equipment standards, including a potential local rule for club and ball specifications. They also propose changes to the length of the club.
A year ago, USGA and R&A launched the “Distance Insights Project”, in which they stated that the continuous increase in length was “harmful” to the game.
On Tuesday, they announced three proposed changes:
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A maximum driver length limit from 48 inches to 46 inches. The US Open champion, Bryson DeChambeau, is one of the profile players who experimented with the longest driver to reach more distance from the tee.
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Changes in the way drivers are tested for distance, known as the spring effect, and changes in the way golf balls are tested by reviewing conditions.
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The maximum duration of the driver will have a review period of one month, while the other test proposals will be reviewed over six months.
As part of the proposal, the governing bodies gave the example that a committee could limit the maximum length of the driver through a “model local rule” and that the change is “recommended for use only in competitions limited to highly qualified players”. This means that recreational golfers would continue to follow the rules, even if they used longer clubs.
Professional tours, including the PGA Tour, the European Tour, the LPGA Tour, and major championships, all play according to USGA or R&A rules, depending on jurisdiction. Exceptions made at the highest levels – such as the “single ball” rule used in professional tours – are all covered in the rules manual, usually in accordance with local regulations.
After years of discussions on this issue, the governing bodies now seem ready to act on distance gains.
“Research … clearly shows that hitting distances have steadily increased over time and, if left unchecked, could threaten the long-term future of our game at every level and at every golf course we play.” said Mike Davis, executive director of USGA. “This is the first step in a journey and a responsibility that USGA and R&A share with the global golf community to ensure that golf continues to thrive for the next hundreds of years and beyond.”
Martin Slumbers, Executive Director of R&A, said: “The research topics and proposed changes we have announced will be the focus of our attention in the coming months and we look forward to obtaining information from the golf industry and fully understanding their prospects in we remain fully committed to carrying out this extremely important exercise for this sport in a thorough, efficient and collaborative manner. “