Golf putting brakes on ball flight distance

December 9, 2024

Key points from this story:

• USGA and R&A to implement ball rollback
• Change set to begin in 2028
• Top 102 PGA Tour golfers average 300+ yards
• Debate over pro-only or universal rollback
• Aim to preserve integrity of older courses
• Other sports face similar technological challenges

The world of professional golf is set to undergo a major transformation within the next two years, as the two major governing bodies -- the United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient -- have decided to go ahead with 'rolling back' the golf ball. Nothing in cast in stone about the rollback, but USGA CEO Mike Whan says the change will be made starting in 2028. After myriad studies, the two golf bodies came to the conclusion that the ever-increasing distance today's best players were getting off the tee was relegating some of the world's best courses to 'pitch and putts'.

Cameron Champ led the PGA Tour in driving distance in 2024 at 322.8 yards. Rory McIlroy was second at 320.2 and the top 102 golfers managed to exceed, on average, the 300-yard mark. Throw in a good downwind on some long par-5s and some of the longer hitters would be looking at a pitching wedge or less for their second shots.