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USGA and R&A unveil Distance Insights Report

Published

4 years ago

Feb 4, 2020

On Tuesday, golf’s governing bodies released the “Distance Insights Report” in which the two ruling authorities found the “continuing cycle” of the “100-year trend of hitting distance increases in golf” is “detrimental to the game’s long-term future.”

The Distance Insights Report is a 102-page document, which includes data and information from 56 different projects that was co-released by the USGA and R&A and which hints at potential significant changes in the equipment rules over the coming years following a “broad review of both clubs and balls.”

In a key findings statement released by the USGA and R&A, the organization revealed that “after extensive stakeholder research, the report features more than 100 years of data, informed by a library of 56 supporting documents.”

Here were the key findings of the report per the USGA and R&A

There is a 100-year trend of hitting distance increases in golf, as well as a corresponding increase in the length of golf courses, across the game globally The USGA and The R&A believe this continuing cycle is detrimental to the game’s long-term future.
The inherent strategic challenge presented by many golf courses can be compromised, especially when those courses have not or cannot become long enough to keep up with increases in the hitting distances of the golfers who play from their longest tees. This can lead to a risk of many courses becoming less challenging, or obsolete.
Increased hitting distance can begin to undermine the core principle that the challenge of golf is about needing to demonstrate a broad range of skills to be successful.
If courses continue to lengthen, it is at odds with growing societal concerns about the use of water, chemicals and other resources
Longer distances and courses, longer tees and longer times to play are taking golf in the wrong direction and are not necessary for a challenging, enjoyable and sustainable game.
A concern has been identified that many recreational golfers are playing from longer tees than is necessary relative to their hitting distances, and, in particular that the forward tees on many golf courses are very long for many of the golfers who play from them.

The USGA and R&A have also stated that with these findings “a broad review of both clubs and balls will be conducted to understand and assess a full range of options for addressing these issues relating to hitting distance.”

The review in question will highlight the following areas in particular (again, language directly from the USGA and R&A)

The review of overall conformance specifications for both clubs and balls, including specifications that both directly and indirectly affect hitting distances. It is not currently intended to consider revising overall equipment specifications in a way that would produce substantial reductions in hitting distances at all levels of the game.
The assessment of the potential use of a Local Rule option specifying the use of reduced-distance equipment. Such an option could be available as a choice at all levels of play for competitions, courses and individual players.
Guidance on the availability of short enough forward tees and the appropriate tee-to-hole playing distances for golfers of all levels.
Several other topics including equipment testing processes, potential guidance on how design, agronomy and setup can affect hitting distance, and others.

“Bifurcation” has been a hotly discussed toping amongst recreational golfers but was not addressed directly in today’s report.

Bifurcation could potentially lead to both Tour pros as well as recreational golfers playing clubs and balls manufactured to different regulations, but both organizations stressed during a Monday press conference the preference for a single set of rules across the sport.

Tuesday’s review stated that it was “not currently intended to consider revising the overall specifications in a way that would produce substantial reductions in hitting distances at all levels of the game.”

Speaking on the report, Mike Davis, chief executive officer of the USGA stated

“This is not about the last few years or the next few years but rather about the long-term future of the game. This report clearly shows a consistent increase in hitting distance and golf course lengths over the last 100-plus years. These increases have had a profound impact on costs to build, modify and operate golf courses and they have impacted golfers at all levels.

We believe this problem will continue unless this cycle is brought to an end. With collaboration from the entire golf community, we have an opportunity to stem this tide and help ensure golf remains sustainable and enjoyable for generations to come.”

The full 102-page Distance Insights Report is accessible here.

What do you think, WRXers?

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46 Comments

8thehardway

Feb 6, 2020 at 12:20 pm

Ban drivers. No clubs under 16* or over 44 inches allowed in tournaments and maybe ban ’em for handicap purposes.

Recreational golfers’ score lower, play appropriate tees and save billions on clubs and millions on lessons. Golf is easier, more people play.

Courses don’t need to build longer, maintenance reduced and Tom Kite has another chance to win the British Open.

Reply Report comment
Ell

Feb 5, 2020 at 6:43 pm

Suggest getting the 1986 book ‘Search for the Perfect Swing’ by Alastair Cochran and Jhn Stubbs. Chapter 26, page 170, Table 26:2, “The computed effect on various drives of using a lighter ball”. The table compared the differences in Carry and Total Yards between a 1.62 ounce ball and a 1.3 ounce ball. I also agreed with changing from 18 holes to 12 holes, as per the original golf round.

Reply Report comment
- DS
  
  Feb 6, 2020 at 5:55 am
  
  I’d still want to play 36 a day. 😉
  
  Reply Report comment
Paul Shirley

Feb 5, 2020 at 6:11 pm

for all pro tour players courses just start tapering the fairways starting at 250 yards out 20 yrs wide , 260 15 yds wide , 270 10 yds wide , 280 and up 5 yds wide , with the rough 4″ deep off the fairway , also make the greens harder , i am 82 yrs old with usga 10 handicap , avg drive 225yds .

Reply Report comment
- meme
  
  Feb 5, 2020 at 6:19 pm
  
  also mage the greens smaller
  
  Reply Report comment
HappyDuffer

Feb 5, 2020 at 6:05 pm

And what a surprise the governing bodies fail to understand what the data is really showing them and see only what they want to see. That said… increasing pro course lengths is not the answer. Perhaps they should reduce the cor limits for the pro tour only?

Reply Report comment
A. Commoner

Feb 5, 2020 at 12:29 pm

Quite a report! Part I: things you already know…Part II: ‘thingees’ we are going to look at. I think, with all the lead-up, many people expected more.

Reply Report comment
Marty

Feb 5, 2020 at 11:28 am

The USGA and the R&A are doing nothing more than moonwalking across the stage. Well at least they have their white glove on – for what good it does them. Now they need to actually go out and play a round of golf and see how that squares with their report.

They also need to rollback the ball and raise the goal another five feet in the NBA.

Reply Report comment
Kevin

Feb 5, 2020 at 10:02 am

The most important thing that the R&A/USGA have not talked about is how the distance the pros are hitting it is hurting recrational golf due to pace of play. There are countless golf hacks, we’va all seen them, cargo shorts, shirt un-tucked, hat on backwards… They see Koepka, McIlroy, Woodland hit it 330+ on tv and think,’I can do that too’. They get to the course thinking they will impress thier playing partners, play from ‘the tips’ and come out of thier shoes when they swing. Yes, they hit it 300+ but nowhere near the fairway and into the deep hay, trees, bushes etc. Then spend 10 minutes (not 3, they don’t know the rules) looking for that $4 ProV1 (that they probably found on the previous hole during THAT 10 minute search). These are the guys that turn a 4 hour round into 5+ for EVERYONE behind them and that is the biggest threat to the game we love. I wish i had a easy solution to this problem but I don’t. Trying to educate these guys about playing for the correct tees, playing within themselves and limiting ball searches to 3 minutes is probably futile. More marshalls would helo but that will cost each course more $. Rolling the equipment back so the guys on TV are hitting it 275 off the tee? Maybe.

Reply Report comment
CPG

Feb 5, 2020 at 8:38 am

Dial equipment back? So you want to take a guy that swings it 95 from hitting a 7 iron to a 5 iron and a guy that swings it 125 from a wedge to a 8 iron….makes perfect sense.

Reply Report comment
- YouSoSully
  
  Feb 5, 2020 at 9:57 am
  
  Realistically the current 7 irons have the loft of some older 5 irons. It shouldn’t really matter what number is on the club you hit, it should be more about loft. When I hit my 48* PW 15+ yards shorter than my groups 43* PWs I don’t blame the tech in my equipment.
  
  Reply Report comment
Patrick

Feb 5, 2020 at 7:08 am

USGA and R&A are completely right on this subject. Stop complaining about “what the governing bodies need to do is….blah blah blah”. Your like that Boomer at work that bitches just to get through the day.

Reply Report comment
Alex

Feb 4, 2020 at 11:18 pm

USGA is out to lunch. Clubs are at their limit. So players are getting longer via better training and or better fitting by knowing what produces better results.
Longer plays will still be longer even if you roll the ball back. In fact they will be even longer in comparison to the shorter players. PGA tour pros are whiney little b___s. They complain about courses being too tough all the time. So when you have more players that are stronger than in the past with courses allowing you to hit the ball all over the map, this is what happens.
And then USGA is wasting money doing these stupid studies.
Maybe USGA should not allow trackmans and gyms on tour. I dont see ATP complaining about Fed Nadal and Djok being the best 3 of all time. Maybe ATP should change it so you can’t play into your 30s.
As ohers have said make it tougher at 300+ yards if Rory can hit it 330 dead center than hats off to him.

Reply Report comment
- Regis
  
  Feb 5, 2020 at 7:46 am
  
  If the USGA is “out to lunch” then its obvious you have been refused service at the restaurant. Golf courses have been closing at an alarming pace for 20 years , That includes private clubs. Real Estate is too valuable and environmental restrictions and maintenance costs are forcing owners out of business. The alternative is to raise fees, Tough to do where participation peaked about 20 years ago and nothing seems to attract new interest. Nicklaus started raising these concerns 25 years ago. Biggest complaints offered as to lack of interest Too expensive. Takes too long. All tied into golfers demand for “championship” courses ” carpeted fairways and pristine greens. People will learn to adapt to electric cars (Aaagh).Real Golfers will learn to adapt or give up the sport.
  
  Reply Report comment
JB

Feb 4, 2020 at 9:29 pm

We do have to do something to prevent further distance gains. We don’t necessarily need to roll things back, but distance gains at the current rate are bad for the game.

Reply Report comment
- Vincent Collier
  
  Feb 5, 2020 at 7:02 am
  
  Why? How?
  
  Maybe for the top 120 freaks of nature who spend their days conditioning /practicing and have companies fitting them with radar and 3D modeling
  
  But for the 99.997 rest of the golfing public? Not so much
  
  Reply Report comment
JThunder

Feb 4, 2020 at 8:40 pm

So, two problems identified are that 1. courses are becoming obsolete because of distance gains and 2. too many amateurs play courses at longer tees than they should.

And no one spots the contradiction?

“Golf needs to be easier for amateurs” is NOT in the spirit of the game. The game, for hundreds of years before modern manufacture, was difficult for everyone. Games – and sports for that matter – are *supposed* to be a challenge. If they were easy – “point and shoot” – then why would anyone bother? Why accept any rules or keep score? Want to make golf “easier” – take a mulligan on any shot you don’t like, “gimme” anything inside 20 feet, and refuse to write down anything worse than bogey. Done.

If you want to protect “courses” (ie; the egos of designers and club members) at the elite level, the only solution still possible is a “tour ball”. The ball itself is only a small part of overall distance gains – along with clubheads, shafts, fitting, customization, fitness… etc. BUT, some of these cannot be rolled back and the industry would not accept others.

I think “bifurcation” is a shame in a game that’s always prided itself otherwise. But when capitalism outpaces regulation and common sense, I guess the results are often shameful. (Driverless cars, anyone? Delivery robots?)

OR – just accept that tournaments are still won by the person with one less stroke than everyone else. Because that is always true regardless of whether everyone shoots 59 or 82.

Reply Report comment
Deacon Blues

Feb 4, 2020 at 8:14 pm

It’s really quite simple. Either eliminate the concept of par altogether (as proposed in this April 2018 GolfWRX article: http://www.golfwrx.com/495034/lets-retire-old-man-par-a-modest-proposal/), or aggressively modify par (instead of course setup) at elite male events so that winning scores are at even par or slightly better. The USGA has done this at the US Open for years, but neither they, nor the PGA Tour, nor the other pro tours should feel compelled to make each course a par 70 or more. Augusta National should probably be a par 68 at this point, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Reply Report comment
ShortKnocker

Feb 4, 2020 at 7:56 pm

Roll back the ball. It is 98% of the problem. Golf isn’t supposed to be easy and amateurs will always suck regardless of how far they hit it. If I can only hit it 200 yards then perhaps I should swallow my pride and move up a set of tees. Every week I see folks who can’t hit it out of their own shadow playing the back tees. Shame.

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I know donkeys

Feb 4, 2020 at 6:16 pm

Matt Kuchar sucks big donkey.

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simms

Feb 4, 2020 at 5:40 pm

Killing the distance is easy but will it also add more shots to the amateurs playing the same course? Any course the pros play can be made harder by adding water, sand and waste areas full of bushes and trees. You Put 50 yards of penalty area starting at 290 yards to 340 on 490 plus par 4’s and 600 yard par 5’s and you add 3 to 4 shots around to the pros average round. Killing the 300 yard plus drive on par 5’s would end the distance problem overnight. But would that same waste and penalty area 230 to 280 from amateur tees hurt that game more?

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bravo

Feb 4, 2020 at 4:47 pm

I feel that distance at an elite level is reflection of many variables. In all sports the athlete over time just is better than what it was 5, 10 years prior…but the state of golf does not accept this – the evolution of technology and how to apply effectively to the modern athlete is what is driving the ball farther..Its not killing the game of golf in fact I feel it has revitalized the game than it was say 5 years ago..the perception you have to make golf courses longer is bs: thats limited thinking / pure laziness on the course designers part…considering that the courses that are being built will never see a major event/competition.. why make it longer? Golf is a dying sport and unattractive if you are at a loss of time. To develop the necessary skills to be basic on the course is a challenge and to get a round in against other amateurs is long and tedious -This has nothing to do with the course being long. The problem in general is with how it is being interpreted… The Tour dictates how tough the courses play, they want the pro’s to score and use what skills they have…to say it is not a skill to drive the ball within a window to at least wedge it on the green – YOU are f**king stupid especially swinging at the speeds they do… The governing bodies want to place blame* lets call it what it is – the old guard of golf is what is killing the game…

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Mat

Feb 4, 2020 at 4:27 pm

“But if you slow down the equipment (I’m looking at you, ball!), don’t you mess up recreational players? Don’t you need to bifurcate the game? No, you don’t. First, it’s already bifurcated. Recreational players typically don’t get fitted for their clubs, they use a ball wrong for them, and they’re not the ones making courses obsolete. They won’t be affected by a slower ball because they can’t hit it with purpose anyway.”

This paragraph is __EXACTLY__ why the USGA is out of touch. The USGA has bought into the fantasy that 25-cap players have bought into… somehow the weekend hacker is too long. The hard truth is you need to hide the long tees from the average player. Frankly, if a few more 59’s show up on tour, who cares? If you get players breaking 90 more often, you’ll have more golfers. Do it with appropriate tees, and for goodness sakes, leave things generally alone. Data sets are better now, but really, how much “longer” do you think the 25-cap crew is compared to 2010? Zero. That’s what. We already hit a maximum, we’ve lived with it for 10 years, and the world hasn’t ended. Why punish us now?

Reply Report comment
Mat

Feb 4, 2020 at 4:19 pm

This is insane. It’s all a setup to change equipment rules. It’ll drive a lot of people away from the game.

Bifurcation should be in the game *rules*, not the equipment. If the USGA wants to impose a ball restriction, fine, but it has to be for EVERYONE. Changing to “only the pros use this equipment” is a death sentence to the health of the game. Golf is the one game where absolutely no one wants to be seen as a cheater (sans Patrick), so at what level to you require “tournament balls” or “tournament clubs”?

If the USGA wants to “roll back” the ball, fine. But it needs to be EVERYONE. No exceptions. I’m not interested in KickX balls.

Reply Report comment
- Vincent Collier
  
  Feb 5, 2020 at 7:12 am
  
  A death sentence? Hardly…
  
  How about this scenario, a large manufacturer decides it needs to sell clubs and sees the USGA/RA as impediments to that. And decides on releasing an “unlimited” line of clubs/balls.
  
  At some point distance will reach its theoretical limit… physics dictates that. Why fight it. Baseball limits rebound by requiring wood bats; the limit has been reached there.
  
  Grow the rough, bring back the second cut, narrow landing zones, and firm the greens for tournament play… THAT is a whole lot more practical than whatever will come out of the USGA/R&A
  
  Reply Report comment
Retired Cart Boy

Feb 4, 2020 at 4:03 pm

Bifurcation today, bifurcation tomorrow, bifurcation forever!

I don’t understand why this is so difficult. The game needs to be made easier for most amateurs, and harder for the professionals. You’re not going to be able to accomplish this with both groups using the same equipment.

Reply Report comment
- mizuno29
  
  Feb 5, 2020 at 9:37 am
  
  Couldn’t agree with you more!
  
  Reply Report comment
[email protected]

Feb 4, 2020 at 3:27 pm

I’m a 76 year old Passionate golfer who’s recovered from 2 strokes & I normally play 4 times weekly & practice on days I’m not in some doctor’s waiting room. This schedule can be substantially less during our winter months (like today 10 degree chill factor with 25mph north wind).
I took particular note of one comment in the Distance Report:
“We have a particular concern that the forward tees at many courses are very long for the hitting distances of many of the golfers who play from them.”
My average Driver distance is 175 yards, including rollout on medium firm fairways. At 70 YO I started playing the “white Tees (old man Tees (5644 yds)., but after a few years & a bad stroke I was no longer able to reach most of the par 4’s & a few par 3’s in regulation using a 3-wood.
A golfing friend of mine suggested I consider playing the Red Tees (“Women’s Tees”).After a few weeks of trying to set my male ego aside & deciding I would just have to be tough enough to suffer the “Slings and arrows” of others I took the leap & I’m not sorry that I did. Wow, it was so refreshing & energizing/confidence building to be able to hit a few mid irons into some of the par 3’/4’s. I felt like I was back to playing golf instead of just trying to survive another bad round.
There’s a few other old Hackers in my golf group that need to move up, but, their male egos are dominating them, IMO.
I make these comments that the rules makers of golf give serious consideration to us hackers. I quit trying to buy new clubs every year or 2 in hopes of regaining some distance. Fact is, I quit trying because I can’t hit the new Pricey wonder clubs any better than my current equipment & I can’t afford it either.
I liked the analogy about baseball in comparison to Golf. It helps clarify the issues if Distance. except distane does not apply to equipment changes in baseball

Thanks
Fastfade (the Hacker)

Reply Report comment
Bob

Feb 4, 2020 at 3:25 pm

2013 US Open at Merion Rose won at +1. Why? Short course that demanded you hit the ball in the fairway or you weren’t going to hold a green or at the very least have a good look at birdie. How long have the same restrictions been on these golf clubs? Quite a while now. The athletes are better and there are many more known ways to increase distance by putting in the work. Quit crying about distance. Phil has more club head speed now than ever and he hasn’t done squat since he’s gained the speed. Eliminate 1st cut of rough and make it an absolute penalty to miss a fairway. You’ll start seeing longer irons into greens and a premium on iron play and shot shaping. Tbh on a week to week basis I dont see the issue with some low scoring rounds of golf. This isn’t the balata and persimmon era even though no one complained when they were shooting low scores. Sports evolve and the athletes obviously get better. Make the courses tougher and not longer.

Reply Report comment
- Vincent Collier
  
  Feb 5, 2020 at 7:15 am
  
  Amen
  
  Grow the rough, bring back the second cut, narrow the landing zones and firm the greens… change the conditions for tournament play
  
  Reply Report comment
Jeff Allen

Feb 4, 2020 at 2:39 pm

Yes, because I want to see Mike Trout using Ty Cobb’s glove, or Usain Bolt running in Jessie Owens’ shoes. Let it be

Reply Report comment
DJ

Feb 4, 2020 at 2:25 pm

Require each manufacturer to make a tour only ball with restricted characteristics if you can’t/don’t change the course layouts. Reduce the number of clubs allowed from 14 to 12. Don’t allow wedges over 56 degrees. Reduce the number of holes on a layout from 18 to 14 allowing for longer holes or 90 degree dog legs. Design the holes to run uphill at 10 degrees up to 340 yards then drop down a bit to the green – eliminate some rollout. Mow the fairways back towards the tee box to influence the grain.

Reply Report comment
19_Majors

Feb 4, 2020 at 2:11 pm

Webb Simpson beat Tony Finau in a head-to-head playoff last week. One of the shortest hitters on tour vs. one of the longest hitters on Tour. If distance was everything, Webb would’ve had no chance of winning. But Webb ended up in that playoff, and Webb won. How far golfers hit it clearly isn’t the only thing that matters. We don’t need to reel in ANY equipment or make golf courses ANY harder until there is a clear trend of WINNING TOURNAMENTS favoring only long hitters.

Reply Report comment
- Progolfer
  
  Feb 5, 2020 at 8:04 am
  
  Webb averaged 8.5 yards less than Finau in the WMPO. No offense, but that debunks your argument.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Dyson Bochambeau
  
  Feb 5, 2020 at 10:09 am
  
  Compare the top 10 in distance to the top 10 in the world
  
  Reply Report comment
Kim Hay

Feb 4, 2020 at 2:00 pm

The whole argument is summed up in the second bullet point of the key findings “golfers who play from their longest tees”. So, the USGA and the R&A is focused on the 5% or less golfers who play from the longest tees and that the courses may not be challenging enough for them.

It is time for these bodies and golf clubs in general to focus their efforts and marketing on the recreational golfer, those who carry a handicap from 5 to 48. Ask them if courses are too tough or if they need longer tees. Golf clubs should be promoting quality, fun courses from 4000 to 6300 yards for the 95% of the people who will come to play. Let the “championship” courses chase the 5%. Keep operating costs down and promote your product to families, juniors, seniors and the occasional golfer.

This game will not survive without a complete re-think of who it is for and how we can provide that product. I do not see the USGA and the R&A doing much to in that regard.

Reply Report comment
- GMatt
  
  Feb 4, 2020 at 3:58 pm
  
  You’re asking the USGA to think? Good Lord that would be like putting lipstick on a pig… they’re incapable of relating to their membership (which I refuse to be one) and only focused on the top less than 1% of all golfers… They are way out of touch
  
  Reply Report comment
PaulVL

Feb 4, 2020 at 1:59 pm

You don’t need to make courses longer, or change equipment/balls, just make the courses the pros play on more difficult. Put more dog legs, left and right that cannot be cut off by long hitters. Make the landing area for long hitters smaller, with tall rough, or difficult fairway bunkers with a greater risk, than reward. Unfortunately, money is the key motivator for the manufacturers, players and PGA, so I doubt little will change.

Reply Report comment
Club Pro Guys Neighbor

Feb 4, 2020 at 1:38 pm

As a PGA Professional, this report does not speak to what is important to continuing to grow the game. Making the game harder is not the answer. You have the PGA trying to include everyone and the USGA trying to make it more difficult which would disproportionately affect the average golfer not the competitive golfer. While courses could be outdated because of length there are many things that can be done to make courses more difficult at there 300+ distances off the tee ie. trees, bunkers, penalty areas. This obstacles would make the course tighter and more difficult for longer golfers, but would maintain less of a degree of difficulty for the higher handicap and shorter players while also reducing the area of the course that requires significant input from water and chemicals.

Reply Report comment
Rich Douglas

Feb 4, 2020 at 1:35 pm

Use baseball as a comparison. In 1930, the entire American League hit .300. In 1968, only one person (Yaz) did it. In other words, players didn’t necessarily get better and better. Fences are still the same (or similar) distances as they were 50 years ago. Hitting .300 or batting 30 homers is sill a big deal. Why? Why haven’t things changed? Why, except for the steroid years, aren’t players hitting it 400 feet?

Because of the pitchers. See, as hitters got better, stronger, and bigger, so did pitchers. They got faster. They developed more breaking pitches. They got better.

Golf has no such off-set. It is the player against the course. The only way to hold back the players–who get stronger and more fit all the time–is to (a) slow down the equipment or (b) make the courses harder or longer. But if you do (b), you run the risk of ruining courses or making them unfair (rewarding and punishing shots almost at random). So what to do?

You have to do something about the equipment. Some measures have helped, like limiting what the driver can do. (Irons are already pretty self-limiting.) But the players keep getting longer.

But if you slow down the equipment (I’m looking at you, ball!), don’t you mess up recreational players? Don’t you need to bifurcate the game? No, you don’t. First, it’s already bifurcated. Recreational players typically don’t get fitted for their clubs, they use a ball wrong for them, and they’re not the ones making courses obsolete. They won’t be affected by a slower ball because they can’t hit it with purpose anyway.

The problem here isn’t what it will do to recreational players. It’s what it will do to equipment manufacturers who sell fantasies to those players. And those companies seem to rule the game. Good luck changing that!

Reply Report comment
- ewfnick
  
  Feb 4, 2020 at 1:41 pm
  
  This.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Dick Ruggles
    
    Feb 4, 2020 at 2:39 pm
    
    They raised the mound and pitchers dominated 1968. They lowered it in ’69 and hitters improved.
    
    Wound ball. Persimmon woods. Steel shafts. No 60* wedges. Golf fixed.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Thomas A
  
  Feb 4, 2020 at 2:24 pm
  
  Webb is not one of the shortest on tour anymore. He’s been working on his body and swing for the past two years and has gained substantial distance.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Shallowface
  
  Feb 4, 2020 at 2:48 pm
  
  I thought you were going to get this right, but you missed.
  The reason baseball hasn’t changed has nothing to do with the athletes.
  Baseball didn’t allow it’s equipment to change as golf has. Neither the bat nor the ball.
  There is a good reason for this. Baseball stadiums are by and large built and maintained by taxpayers. Baseball can’t come to the taxpayers and ask for new and bigger stadiums because they didn’t have enough sense to keep a handle on equipment.
  I would submit that pitchers have gotten worse over the 50 years I have been following baseball, not better, but that’s a discussion for another place. There are no Seavers or Gibsons out there throwing 15 complete games in a season with ERAs under 2.00.
  Truth is I don’t know why the USGA bothers. If they attempt to shorten the ball, the PGA Tour will choose to ignore it, and the buying public will follow, rendering the USGA even less relevant than it is today.
  The USGA will do nothing, and like it.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Jeff Allen
  
  Feb 4, 2020 at 3:06 pm
  
  Only partially correct look at a 1930s era glove vs today
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Shallowface
    
    Feb 4, 2020 at 4:54 pm
    
    My comment was “neither the bat nor the ball.”
    
    Gloves aren’t relevant when the discussion is about stick and ball distances.
    
    Reply Report comment

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News

Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board

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Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

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Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as the PGA Tour heads to New Orleans for the Zurich Classic.

1. 15-year-old finishes top 20 on KFT

Jay Coffin for Golf Digest…”During a week when most eyes were on Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda, the 15-year-old lefty finished off an incredible week with a five-under 66 in the final round of the Korn Ferry Tour’s LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood Ranch in Florida.”

“After opening with 68-66-70, Russell finished at 14-under-par total to tie for 20th place. The finish in which he jumped 28 positions on the leaderboard on the final day, gives him an exemption into next week’s Veritex Bank Championship at Rangers Park in Arlington, Texas. He’s the youngest player to finish inside the top 20 on the PGA of Korn Ferry tours, according to records that go back to 1983.”

Full piece.

2. Understandably, Nelly WDs

Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…”Nelly Korda’s bid for a record-setting sixth consecutive win will have to wait a few weeks.”

“A day after capturing the Chevron Championship during a marathon final round in Houston, Korda announced on social media that she was withdrawing from this week’s JM Eagle LA Championship.”

“It was not an easy decision,” she wrote. “After the unbelievable week at the Chevron and grinding through the mental and physical challenges of four events in the past five weeks, I am definitely feeling exhausted. With so much still to come throughout 2024, I feel I need to listen to my body and get some rest, so I can be ready for the remainder of the season.”

Full piece.

3. Scheffler’s impressive No. 1 feat

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”After Scheffler’s victory Monday morning at the RBC Heritage, Scheffler upped his points average to 15.016 and increased his advantage in the Official World Golf Ranking over No. 2 Rory McIlroy to more than double McIlroy’s 7.365 average, meaning Scheffler is ranked further ahead of No. 2 than No. 2 is ahead of the last-ranked player.”

“The last time a No. 1 player had a greater points average was Woods, who was at 15.4564 on Dec. 6, 2009. But Woods was less than seven average points ahead of No. 2 Phil Mickelson at the time. Earlier that year, Woods was 7.735 ahead of Mickelson, which is the last time the gap between Nos. 1 and 2 was greater than Scheffler’s current 7.651 advantage.”

Full piece.

4. Zurich field notes

PGATour.com’s Adam Stanley…”Rory McIlroy will make his tournament debut alongside good pal, Ryder Cup teammate, and Irishman Shane Lowry – a duo that was firmed up during a celebratory lunch after the Ryder Cup last fall… Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele will try to reprise their 2022 win here. Cantlay and Schauffele have both the Foursomes and Four-ball scoring records at this event… Davis Riley and Nick Hardy will defend their 2023 title. No team has gone back-to-back… Three sets of brothers (and two sets of twins!) will play together with twins Rasmus and Nicolai Højgaard and Parker and Pierceson Coody in the field along with Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick. Alex Fitzpatrick and Rasmus Højgaard are sponsor invites…”

“Billy Horschel, who won last week at the Corales Puntacana Championship, will be without his previous partner Sam Burns, as Burns and his wife are expecting their first child any day. Horschel will instead be paired with fellow University of Florida alum Tyson Alexander. Horschel has won the Zurich Classic when it was both an individual and team event… Other notable pairings include Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama, Sahith Theegala and Will Zalatoris, and Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin. The Canadian duo finished runner-up a year ago and would like nothing more than to show Presidents Cup International Team captain Mike Weir how well they play together… Steve Stricker will play his second TOUR event this season (after earning his way into THE PLAYERS Championship), teaming up with Matt Kuchar.”

Full piece.

5. Tiger’s teammates

Field Level Media report…”Tiger Woods announced Monday that Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner have joined his Jupiter Links GC TGL team.”

“The virtual golf league headed by Woods and Rory McIlroy will begin its inaugural season next January. Woods also unveiled the team’s logo.”

“I have already shared my excitement and optimism for TGL as a league and product,” said Woods. “Now that we have finalized our roster with a team of world-class golfers, I am even more confident that this group will proudly represent the Jupiter (Fla.) area and connect with our fans for years to come.”

Full piece.

6. Woosnam questions Cantlay’s decision

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After the horn sounded to suspend play due to darkness, Cantlay, who’s ball was in the fairway on the 18th hole, had a decision to make. With over 200 yards into the green and extreme winds working against the shot, conventional wisdom would be to wait until Monday morning to hit the shot.”

“On the other hand, if he could finish the hole, he may just want to get the event over with so he could get out of Hilton Head.”

“Curiously, Cantlay chose neither of those options. After hitting 3-wood into the green, and still coming up short, the former FedEx Cup champion chose to mark his ball and chip and putt on Monday morning.”

“Ian Woosnam, who was watching from home, took to X to give his thoughts on Cantlay’s decision making.”

“Cantlay would end up getting up and down for par when play resumed at 8:00 am Monday morning.”

Full piece.

7. JT on Scheffler’s “weird” equipment choice

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After Justin Thomas’ third round of the RBC Heritage, the two-time major champion went in the broadcast booth alongside the CBS crew.”

“While Thomas was watching Scottie Scheffler play on the back nine of his third round, he wondered aloud why Scottie uses high-numbered golf balls.”

“Does anybody else think it’s weird that Scottie uses high numbers? I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an elite player use high-numbered golf balls.”

“Amanda Balionis who was on the grounds chimed in, reporting that analyst Dottie Pepper had wondered the same thing earlier that day.”

“I’ve been going about this wrong my whole life,” Thomas jokingly said.

Full piece.

8. Rory to rejoin PGA Tour policy board

Mark Schlabach for ESPN…”Four-time major championship winner Rory McIlroy is poised to return to the PGA Tour’s policy board, pending a vote by the board, which could come as early as this week, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.”

“One of the PGA Tour’s most vocal supporters during its three-year battle with LIV Golf, McIlroy abruptly resigned as a player director on the tour’s influential policy board in November.”

“He is expected to replace policy board player director Webb Simpson, who intends to step away before his two-year term expires in 2025.”

Full piece.

9. Weir names Presidents Cup assistants

PGA Tour report…”International Team Captain Mike Weir announced Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas as captain’s assistants for the 2024 Presidents Cup, which will be played at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Canada, Sept. 24-29.

Full piece.

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News

Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters

Published

2 days ago

Apr 22, 2024

Ronald Montesano

Brazil and Texas were kindred souls this week, at least when it came to weather. Both regions experienced torrential delays, and three tournaments were held up. The LPGA, PGA Tour Americas, and PGA Tour Champions were compelled to reduce play or work extra holes into Sunday. As if that weren’t enough, South Carolina and the PGA Tour fell victim to nature’s wrath, with lightning postponing the conclusion of the event to Monday.

The year’s first women’s major championship was celebrated in Texas. The Chevron is gaining a bit of tradition in its second year after relocation. This year’s event culminated in the continued coronation of the game’s current best. The Korn Ferry Tour saw a top-twenty performance from a 15-year old amateur, while the second event of the week on the big tour found a winner in the Dominican Republic. Six events is more than a handful, so let’s get right to it, with this week’s (delayed) Tour Rundown.

LPGA @ Chevron Championship: Korda corrals second major title

The winter of 2022-2023 seems so distant for current Nelly Korda. A mysterious ailment sapped all of her energy, just as the world appeared to have finally emerged from the pandemic. We never quite secured the complete information that we desired, but no one can say that any of us deserved to know more than Nelly wished to share. One thing is for certain: Nelly Korda has returned to top form, and the world number one golfer is at least one level above anyone else on tour.

Korda began her 2024 campaign with a January victory in the Drive One Championship. In her next start, in March, she continued her assault on the record books, with a win at the Se Ri Pak. She won again the following week, at the Ford, then defeated Leona Maguire in the final match at the T-Mobile Match Play, for a fourth consecutive victory. Would the increased hype around a major championship have an impact on her game? Well, no.

Korda began play at the Chevron Championship with a score of 68. She trailed Lauren Coughlin by two after 18 holes, but caught her with a second-round 69. Coughlin would ultimately tie for third spot with Brooke Henderson. Henderson played with Korda on day four, but the middle third of the round was her undoing. Making a late move was Maja Stark. House Stark closed with birdies at 17 and 18 to reach 11 under par. Both Korda and Strak played the final three days in identical numbers: 69 each day.

Korda held a firm hand on the tournament over the course of the final day. She stood minus-four for the round through ten holes, before a bit of sloppy play made things competitive again. Bogeys at 11 and 15 opened the door a wee bit for Stark. Korda was equal to the test, however, and closed stylishly with birdie at 18.

Safely around the green on the 72nd hole

Watch @NellyKorda‘s historic finish now on NBC! pic.twitter.com/1zaAYtbaCz

— LPGA (@LPGA) April 21, 2024

PGA Tour 1 @ RBC: Scottie, so hottie!

Nelly isn’t the only golfer on fire, although Scottie Scheffler still has a ways to go to match her. Scheffler proved this week that he has a game for all courses. After winning comfortably at lengthy Augusta National, Scheffler shifted gears and game to the wee Sea Pines course, and won again. That’s two weeks in a row for the man from New Jersey/Texas, so let’s learn how he did it.

Scheffler totaled 69 on day one, and found himself six shots behind leader J.T. Poston. Scheffler revealed that his teacher, Randy Smith, would tell him that he didn’t need to be the best 15 year-old; just the best 25 year-old. It was easy, then, to play the long game and consider all 72 holes, instead of just 18. Scheffler improved to 65 on Friday, and then went even lower on Saturday. His 63 moved him to the top of the board, and caused the golfverse to wonder if Scheffler would win for a second consecutive week.

Sunday saw all the chasers fall away. Scores between 70 and 72 from Patrick Rodgers, Collin Morikawa, and Sepp Straka meant that others would need to seize the day, if Scheffler were to do more than coast. Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas each moved inside the top five with fourth-round 65s, but no one ever got close enough to the world number one. The win was Scheffler’s 10th on tour, and made him the betting favorite for next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

Scottie Scheffler can save par from just about anywhere.

Including the water ?

(Presented by @CDWCorp) pic.twitter.com/RUqL2sBrr9

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 22, 2024

PGA Tour 2 @ Corales Puntacana: Baton Boy claims 8th Tour triumph

If you’ve ever seen Billy Horschel toss a club, you know that he doesn’t do so in anger. More likely is a calculated, soaring arc, paired with a look of fractured disbelief, followed by a quick catch of the cudgel. Ergo, Baton Boy. This week on the island of Hispaniola, the native of Grant, Florida, outworked and outhustled everyone else on Sunday. Horschel gathered seven birdies and an eagle, on the way to a 63 and a 23-under par total.

The former Florida Gator zipped past the four golfers in front of him, and left the remaining field in the rear-view mirror. Horschel’s round was two shots better than anyone else, and moved him two shots ahead of third-round leader Wesley Bryan. One of the famed Bryan Brothers, Wes closed with birdie at the last to post a 68 that would have won the week on any other day.

Walking it in with a fist pump ?@BillyHo_Golf is 9-under on the day and leads by two @CoralesChamp. pic.twitter.com/N6rjL1GGGA

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 21, 2024

Korn Ferry Tour @ LeCom Suncoast: It’s Widing in extra holes

Miles Russell probably won’t have to serve detention for ditching class on Thursday and Friday. The high school freshman made his KFT debut, survived the 36-hole cut, and toyed with a top-ten finish. He ultimately tied for 20th at 14-under par, six shots behind the three co-leaders. My guess is that Epstein’s Mom will write him a note, and he’ll get a pass. By finishing top-25, Russell earned a spot in next week’s event. Yikes!

Back to the top of the board. Patrick Cover, Steven Fisk, and Tim Widing all found their way to the magic number of -20. Fisk made birdie at the last, after bogeys at 16 and 17. Cover had three bogeys on the back nine, but a birdie at 14 was enough to get him to overtime. Widing was plus-one on the day through four, but played interstellar golf over the final 14. Six birdies moved him from Russell-ville to extra time.

The trio scurried to the 18th tee, where Cover drove into a fairway bunker. He was unable to reach the green with his approach, made bogey, and exited the overtime session. Widing and Fisk returned to the final deck once more, and matters were resolved. Fisk was unable to convert a long par putt, and Widing (pronounced VEE-ding) tapped in for his first KFT title.

The feeling of relief when you know you won. ???

Tim Widing is now a champion on the #KornFerryTour. pic.twitter.com/K0vgiZ21UG

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) April 21, 2024

PGA Tour Americas @ Brasil Open: Mr. Anderson finds a way

Golf is a funny game. Matthew Anderson held a lead with one round to play. He made six pars on Sunday, and sprinkled the rest of his card with birdies and bogeys. In complete contrast, Ollie Osborne played consistently on the day, posting four birdies and zero bogeys. Connor Godsey was not far off Osborne’s pace, with seven birdies and but two bogeys on the scorecard. So, of course, Matthew Anderson won by a stroke over Osborne and Godsey.

Not how, but how many, is another one of those platitudes that we all learn early on. Despite five bogeys through his first 14 holes, Anderson summoned the defiant grit to make birdie at the 71st and 72nd holes. After making deuce at the penultimat hole, Anderson’s swerving effort at the last looked as if it should miss low, but it had enough pace to stay inside the hole and fall for a closing four at the par-five finisher.

Birdie-birdie finish to secure the ?

Mississauga-native Matthew Anderson is your 69th ECP Brazil Open Champion. pic.twitter.com/ONE8hIUjeS

— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) April 21, 2024

PGA Tour Champions @ Invited Celebrity: Broadhurst stands tall

What do you call a tournament that begins on Friday, takes Saturday off, and finishes on Sunday? Fortunate is one adjective to use. A weather system moved through Texas this weekend, and made a mess of things in Irving. After Thomas Bjorn signed for 64 on day one, rain and all things counter-productive moved through the Las Colinas resort, ensuring that Saturday would be nothing more than a rest day. When Sunday arrived, conditions had improved, and the game was on. Bjorn was unable to preserve his Friday magic, although he did record a 70 for -8. He finished in a third-place tie with Y.E. Yang.

David Toms, the 2001 PGA Championship victor, presented Sunday’s low round, and moved to 10-under par. Toms made one mistake on the day. He lived in the rough on the 9th hole, ultimately making bogey. The rest of the day was immaculate, as seven birdies came his way, resulting in a six-under par 65. Only one golfer was able to surpass Toms, and that was Paul Broadhurst.

Broadhurst nearly matched Toms for daily honors. His mistake came early, with bogey at the second. He bounced back with eagle at the third, and added three more birdies for 66 and 11-under par. Over his first three seasons on the Tour Champions, Broadhurst won five times, including two major titles. His fifth win came in 2018, making this win his first in six years. A long time coming, for sure, but well earned.

Looking at the hole is working for @PBroadhurstGolf ?

He leads by one after a clutch birdie on 15 @InvitedCC. pic.twitter.com/S0rhcVwaeE

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) April 21, 2024

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