But something had to be done because due to the swing speed of elite professional and amateur golfers, the ball and the distance generated had adversely changed the \u201cessential challenge of the game.\u201d Indirectly, it was a boon to course architects employed to lengthen courses and adjust the positions of bunkers and penalty areas.<\/p>\n
In previous columns, this issue has been discussed and dissected. Last year, I mentioned how Major League Baseball (MLB) has done a better job in policing its implements, making sure innovations such as the aluminum bat are not introduced at the MLB level\u2014thereby ensuring the integrity and legacy of its traditional ballpark dimensions. (And this year, MLB is introducing a pitch clock and banning defensive shifts in the infield to shorten games and encourage more hitting.)<\/p>\n
Similarly, the Tennis Federation made changes to its official ball in 2002 in order to decrease its speed in flight in order to encourage more rallies. And it did!<\/p>\n
Something had to change for elite golf. And to be fair, the golf ball technology is only one part of the distance debate. Certainly, innovations in shafts and clubheads along with player fitness and how courses are set up have contributed to the problem. But the golf ball needed to be addressed.<\/p>\n
![\"Dan](\"http:\/\/theaposition.com\/teemoore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/03\/277364116_10227499006651625_1275030817968833619_n.jpg\")
<\/a>Dan Pohl<\/p><\/div>\n
The USGA and R&A patiently did their homework and provided ample evidence of how increased distance has shaped competition over the last 30-40 years. Last year, I cited how Dan Pohl was the Tour\u2019s longest driver in 1980 with an average drive of 274.1 while his peers averaged only 256.6 yards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This week the USGA and R&A reported the average distance on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2022 was 307.8 yards! On seven tours measured around the world, the average distance increased by 4% over the previous year.<\/p>\n The announcement was followed soon after by a formal press release by the Acushnet Co., maker of Titleist balls and equipment, challenging the USGA & R&A\u2019s proposal.<\/p>\n It began by lamenting the proposed bifurcation of rules, stating it \u201cwould divide golf between elite and recreational play, add confusion, and break the linkage that is part of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n In its release, Acushnet led off by quoting the USGA and R&A from its May 2022<\/i> statement:<\/p>\n \u201cThe R&A and USGA continue to believe that the retention of a single set of rules for all players of the game, irrespective of ability, is one of golf\u2019s greatest strengths.\u00a0 The R&A and USGA regard the prospect of having permanent separate rules for elite competition as undesirable and have no current plans to create separate equipment rules for highly skilled players.\u201d<\/p>\n