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PING’s Solheim Proposes Ball Rating System

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An interesting bit of golf equipment news just rolled across my desk. See it in full here:

PHOENIX (December 19, 2011) – John Solheim, Chairman & CEO of PING, is proposing that golf’s rule making bodies consider a “Ball Distance Rating” system (BDR) that would replace today’s single golf ball limit with three different ball distance limits – one that is the same as today’s standard, one that is shorter and one that is longer. Solheim’s “A Long Term Response to Distance” explains how including a BDR system with a new “Condition of Competition” would give professional events and golf courses an efficient way to address future concerns about distance.

“A BDR Condition of Competition would create a simpler way to control distance at the tour level – and keep the competitive design of the world’s great courses in play,” said Solheim. “This concept addresses the unique talents of the top 0.1% of the world’s golfers without hurting the other 99.9%.”

Solheim also noted that a key aspect of the idea is to give players who would benefit from it the option of using a longer ball, a choice many golfers may appreciate, especially when taking on today’s longer courses.

“The distance rating of the ball used would factor into handicaps, just like slope rating or choice of tee box does today.”

Solheim recently sent his BDR idea to golf’s governing bodies, and suggested it could be a positive factor in helping to sustain and grow the game.

“I appreciate the challenges faced by those who help govern the game,” said Solheim. “I am hopeful they give my idea further consideration and use it as a starting point to address some of the issues the game is facing. The positive impact golf has on so many groups requires that we explore a variety of ideas to improve the health of the sport. I hope others have suggestions to offer as well.”

John Solheim’s “Long Term Response to Distance” follows:

A Long Term Response to Distance

For as long as I can remember, golf has been challenged by concerns over driving distance. Unfortunately, over the past dozen or so years, many actions taken in response to that challenge have often been short sighted, costly and/or controversial – such as altering some of golf’s most revered courses and adopting restrictive golf club rules. Now, we learn average driving distance on the PGA Tour just had another increase – it broke through 290 yards for the first time (and with so many dynamic young golfers working toward a Tour card, who knows where it will go from here). So, once again we are hearing the question: “what, if anything, should be done about it?”

With so many other challenges facing the game, we need to be sure any “distance discussions” focus on the long term – on solutions that can quickly and easily respond to future increases in distance (no matter the cause); on ideas that give professional events and courses a tool that allows each to best address the distance concerns unique to their venue; on proposals that recognize it is far simpler to adjust the ball to the course, than to adjust the course to the ball. Finally, we need a response that will resolve this issue once and for all. To get this discussion rolling, here is how I think we can do just that:

– Replace today’s single golf ball distance limit with three different “Ball Distance Ratings” (or “BDRs”) – one that is the same as today’s limit, one that is shorter and one that is longer.

– Adopt a “BDR Condition of Competition” – each event could apply the BDR appropriate for its course design and yardage, and for the skill level of the golfers competing at the event.

– Include BDR as a factor in calculating handicaps – just as “slope rating” or choice of tee box does today, the BDR of the ball you use will factor into your handicap.

BDR golf balls should have similar flight characteristics as today’s ball (trajectory, spin rates, etc) with the only variable being distance. Some details may be challenging, but I have no doubt the USGA and the R&A are up to the task. With distance as the only variable, an example of what could be done would be to adopt a color code for the several BDRs (just like we do with tee boxes), perhaps using “gold, silver and bronze”. A “silver dot” rating could apply to balls that conform to the current distance limits, a “gold dot” rating to balls that are longer (perhaps 30 yards longer), and a “bronze dot” rating for balls that are shorter than today’s ball limit (again, maybe 30 yards shorter). More BDR levels could be added, if needed, to address future increases in driving distance by Tour professionals.

If the game adopted a “BDR Condition of Competition”, I believe the vast majority of events would choose to allow the same balls (and ball limit) used today. Most courses hosting professional tour events were built with, or have added, sufficient length to challenge the world’s best golfers. Perhaps a small number of tournaments, those played at some of the game’s classic courses, would find it exciting to put the original design elements of the layout back in play by requiring shorter rated golf balls. These events may even generate a lot of interest, and TV viewers. A key point of this idea is that it puts control over those decisions with the event itself. It also gives each venue a new “long term” option for responding to future increases in driving distance – bring in the bull dozers, or simply adopt a new BDR.

I recognize asking tour professionals to occasionally switch to a different rated ball creates a new challenge. However, rising above golf’s toughest obstacles is what they do best. These skilled athletes likely realize that imposing equipment limits on tens of millions of amateurs – a group that is critical to golf’s future – is not the best way to resolve issues unique to competitions played at the highest levels. I think the most talented professional golfers in the world would be willing to switch to a shorter ball once in awhile, if that would benefit the remaining 99.9% of us.

Giving amateurs the option of playing a new, longer rated, ball is another key aspect of this idea. Many golfers find it very difficult to play today’s longer courses. Using a longer ball should make that experience more enjoyable. It may even bring some ex-golfers back to the course. Perhaps this idea could even reduce the time needed to complete some rounds, a goal shared by everyone.

There will likely be occasions when amateurs tee it up with a shorter rated ball. Some golfers may choose to do so when playing some classic courses, ones that cannot add yardage, in order to bring out the competitiveness of the original design. Others may choose to do so because it has a positive impact on their handicap. Some courses might even recommend using a shorter rated ball. Higher handicap players may find it easier to play alongside more experienced golfers – from the same tees – when using different rated balls. Each of these choices gives some control over the distance issue where it is needed most – with the golfer and the course.

This proposal could also help the USGA and the R&A. The handicap system may benefit from adding “ball rating” as a factor. This solution is also consistent with the Joint Statement of Principles announced by the USGA and R&A in 2002: it provides an immediate and an efficient way to address future increases in distance, and it is not bifurcation – amateurs and professionals will still play to a ball limit, just not necessarily the same one on the same course. Adopting a few new ball distance ratings is basically the same as adding a few more tee boxes – and adding tee boxes is not bifurcation.

In order to fully evaluate this idea, the constructive input of golf ball manufacturers will be needed (PING currently does not sell or manufacture golf balls, but we did for over 20 years). I realize this suggestion presents challenges, but a BDR system brings with it new opportunities as well. Adding new categories of “conforming” golf balls should lead to exciting new ways for golf ball companies to competitively innovate, and it could increase golf ball sales. If it were as simple to develop a club rating system that included a similar opportunity to innovate longer drivers, I know I would welcome it. However, if golf once again chooses to address driving distance, it needs a practical long term solution, and I believe a BDR system would do the job.

All of us, including those in the manufacturing community, have a responsibility to offer new ideas and appropriately work with the rule making bodies to help improve the game It can be done, as demonstrated by the positive results from the November 2010 Vancouver forum, and the solution PING provided in resolving the Eye2 controversy on the PGA Tour in early 2010. I will continue to do what I can, and I believe others will as well. The game has seen many positive changes over its long history, changes that appropriately recognize the relationship between the challenge and the enjoyment of the game at all skill levels. I believe a BDR system would provide a way to continue do just that – for a long time to come.

John A. Solheim

Chairman and CEO of PING

Click here to read discussion in the forums… http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/557111-pings-solheim-proposes-ball-rating-system/

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18 Comments

18 Comments

  1. Mario

    Apr 3, 2012 at 2:24 am

    I disagree with K.S., although I play PING.

    What is close to me is R.Masters response:

    “I think growing the rough and tightening the fairways for tour events will neutralize the bombers. Leave the ball alone.”

  2. R. Masters

    Jan 19, 2012 at 9:27 am

    I think growing the rough and tightening the fairways for tour events will neutralize the bombers. Leave the ball alone.

  3. Tony

    Jan 2, 2012 at 7:24 pm

    Great idea for the tour, not a good idea for us regular Joe’s.

    In pro tournaments have a ball that is subjected to tests (like drivers with COR).

    There is no way you can expect amateurs to be playing/buying different balls all the time for different courses and competition days.

    On the tour you can police it, at a local club, no chance.

  4. Ping33

    Dec 31, 2011 at 9:04 am

    I like the idea, and see where Solheim is coming from. I grew up playing persimmons, forged irons and wound golf balls that most would laugh at today. I never imagined hitting a ball near 300 yards or better, now it happens at least once every round. I can say, the most commonly used clubs in my bag are now a driver (from the tips), wedge and putter.

    I don’t want to lose my gear to some silly rule that may come along someday to address this distance issue. Like the square groove rule, which I did not agree with that seems to have little if any affect on the pros and left us weekend golfers with one less weapon in our bags.

    I think we need to do something, as the distances we can get with our modern gear will only increase, along with the control. And we all know what happens on tour always filters down to us guys, and it eventually will happen. I think Solheim sees this coming, and is acting proactively to insure that in the future we can still get the most cutting edge and longest hitting equipment available.

    Remember the 100 watt incandescent light bulb and the 3 gallon + flush toilet? I never thought I would see the day that those would be “illegal”, it can happen to our golf equipment if some distance nut gets the helm of one of the major golf associations. Personally, I don’t want to go backwards in our club technology to placate a few in the golf tournament industry that have no regard for the game as far as us weekend warriors are concerned. I say give Solheim’s idea a serious look, as it does not affect us amateurs, as we will still have a choice in what ball we play. Unlike what I think Solheim sees coming, a hobbling of our equipment across the entire golf equipment manufacturing industry, which I do not want to see. Remember, it only takes one nut to ruin it for all of us. Try flying lately?

  5. Chad

    Dec 28, 2011 at 10:49 am

    It seems like one of the underlying problems is the growing difference between the tour-level players and amateurs and the lack of golfers to play within their ability.

    The pros in any sport tend to drive equipment technology to the edge and it seems wrong to limit their ability by “handicapping” the distance of a golf ball. Can you imagine Olympic skiers having to use soft flex skis and boots to slow down their slalom runs?

    I think playing a course that is proper for one’s ability is a better solution. Maybe having more tee boxes and enforcing the tees that are used given one’s ability would work.

    I wouldn’t encourage a downhill skier to take a black diamond their first time out on the snow so the “courses for horses” seems to be a logical solution to me.

  6. Tony

    Dec 27, 2011 at 10:03 pm

    The game has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. Phil M. In1992 averaged 262 from the tee. 19 years later he averaged something like 293. The games is not the same. It used to be fun and challenging to hit every club into a par 4. Today it is bomb driver then a short iron. Creativity is gone. A shorter tour ball is a great idea!

  7. Blues Golfer

    Dec 26, 2011 at 9:10 am

    They did this to men’s tennis from time to time, making them play with lower pressure balls to slow down their serves and increase the quality of the matches. I don’t know that it worked, and the players, I think, did not like it.

    I actually agree with the principle. I am not a long hitter compared to a tour pro, but I hit it amateur long, if you know what I mean.

    They could easily have two ratings – PGA Tour Ball, and standard. The tour ball would essentially be a Pro V1 or maybe NXT Tour. Yea, big sacrifice there. It puts an “end” to the arms race for longer courses, and keeps the ball market intact by featuring spin and feel, rather than just distance.

  8. Mark

    Dec 26, 2011 at 3:11 am

    Great idea. Courses have been getting crazy long. Long courses require more land, more time to play, and ultimately result in fewer rounds played, more frustration for beginners, and increased costs. If all you want to do is crank out monster 275+ yard drives, go to a driving range.

  9. Drew

    Dec 24, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    @randy I run a golf course, and NO ONE plays the right tees. I bet that less than 5% of the players I see should be playing from beyond 5,600 yards, yet all of them do. This slows play and hurts the game. Giving them an extra 30 yards is a good thing. As long as they can keep it relatively straight, the rash of new 7,000+ yard public courses might be more playable (i.e. under 4.5 hours) for a larger percentage of players, imo.

  10. DELMAN

    Dec 24, 2011 at 10:53 am

    I see absolutely no need to level out the playing field, in any percentage of golfers, by implementing limited distance golf balls as a condition of competition. If a golfer wants to put in the time to get bigger, stronger and better equipped to play golf at a superior level, then to that golfer go the perks of such a decision.

  11. JR

    Dec 23, 2011 at 11:29 am

    Makes no sense at all, poor idea from such a rep of the golf industry–

  12. golfer19

    Dec 22, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    Don’t like the idea at all. If the other tour pro hits it longer, so be it. Stop being such a baby and focus on your strengths of your game. Just leave the golf balls the way they are!

  13. craig

    Dec 22, 2011 at 8:53 pm

    Not a good idea for mine, but I applaud the efforts in creative thinking.

  14. Timmay Mo

    Dec 22, 2011 at 10:02 am

    This would be a better idea if only I am allowed to use the longer ball.

  15. mantan

    Dec 22, 2011 at 9:34 am

    I agree with the idea of creating a ‘competition ball’ for the PGA and Nationwide. That’s the one variable that can easily keep courses from becoming obsolete.

    I don’t like the idea of the ‘longer’ ball or various balls/course ratings for amatuers. Many golfers pick tees beyond their level. Having a ‘longer’ ball available will encourage people to play from the tips thinking the ball will make up the difference.

  16. Bacon

    Dec 20, 2011 at 10:46 pm

    Kinda clueless. You can propose a “tour only” standard but how will amateurs test their game with these rules. I liken this to setting COR limits for tour, certain amateurs and hacks..makes little sense to me

  17. randy

    Dec 20, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    Don’t really need it for the amateurs. Play the proper tees. What does it matter if you play the tips and use a longer ball instead of playing a current ball from the tees you belong playing?

  18. bj

    Dec 20, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    not a good idea…. how is a player supposed to judge the yardages that they hit a certain club if it’s different every week? here’s and idea…. for the tour only….shrink the max length of a driver, drop the 460cc limit to 360cc’s, make a minimum overall club weight, and make the faces of the driver have to have a std. thicker, wall thickness.

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