Major(s) Notes, March 11, 2011
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This week we learned Augusta National’s tax bill, major concerns for two major favorites, horrifying Masters radio news and a progressive maintenance plan for the U.S. Women's Open.
When you come to think of it that is the secret of most of the great holes all over the world. They all have some kind of a twist. C.B. MACDONALD
Rahm On Green Reading Books: "I don’t think they should be allowed."
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Apologies for missing this from Jon Rahm’s Wednesday WGC Workday/The Concession press conference but given his status in the game and views it’s never too late to point out his comments on green reading books.
The full exchange is interesting:
Q. Jon, I had some super golfing questions for you. Dustin said that with the detailed greens books, it's actually easier to learn a golf course these days than in the past. You might even be able to figure out a golf course before you even get here. I'm just curious, do you think that negates some of the challenge or perhaps even some of your advantage of having some prior golf course knowledge?
JON RAHM: You mean the greens books like the little map with all the slopes?
Q. Yeah. All the charting is so good now that he basically figured it out before he even arrived on site.
JON RAHM: Well, I don't use those books.
Q. How come?
JON RAHM: My caddie gets them. I don't look at them because I just--I'm a feel player, I trust what I see. If I have a question, I'll ask him, and he might look at it if we're in doubt. I've never spoken of this, I have to be honest, I don't think they should be allowed. That's my opinion. I think being able to read a green and read a break and understand the green is a talent, it's a skill that can be developed, and by just giving you the information, they're taking away from the game. Again, I think being able to read greens and understand greens, it's a talent, it's part of the game, and like I said, it's a skill that can be developed or not. So that's my take on it.
Besides the de-skilling and dumbing-down component at a time the governing bodies are reviewing those matters, there is the horrible optic of a professional golfer staring at their little cheat sheet on national TV while we wait for them. The situation has been made worse (not better) by the rule change restricting rendering sizes.
Essentially the only people wanting to keep them in the professional game profit from their creation and sales.
Elliott Heath at GolfMonthly pointed out Rahm’s remarks and also reminded me of Ian Poulter’s very prescient Tweet in 2017 taking a similar stance:
The Real Numbers: "JT and Rory vs. the USGA"
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Justin Thomas mentioned the (billions!) R&D outlay by manufacturers as reason enough to not do anything. He walked that back to millions but ultimately landed at the same spot mentioning “hard work” of manufacturers as cause for rulemakers to stand down.
So, profit over the good of the game. He’s hardly the first and as Titleist’s top player naturally taking the company line.
Rory McIlroy was widely lauded for his comments blasting the USGA’s waste of money studying the distance issue. This, even as he reiterated his support for some kind of skill-protecting bifurcation. His latter point did not jibe with Taylormade’s position on the possibility of tighter regulation.
The Fried Egg’s Will Knights has looked at the claims and it turns out the USGA has spent about $1 million on their portion of the distance study while the manufacturers have spent far more in annual R&D with positive tax implications for doing so. As always I urge you to read the full piece as it’s loaded with fascinating information.
As for Thomas’s claim of R&D spending, Knight found it may be a smaller number than expected and a nice tax credit awaits if desired.
From 2017 to 2019, Acushnet, Titleist’s holding company, spent between $47 and $52 million on R&D. That amounted to about 3% of the company’s net sales. Over the same period, Callaway spent between $36 and $51 million, between 3 and 4% of its net sales. These expenses cannot be attributed solely to golf ball and club development, as both companies manufacture clothing, shoes, and other kinds of products. However, for both Acushnet and Callaway, golf equipment is a major priority, so it’s safe to assume that their R&D spends would be largely allocated to balls and clubs. (Callaway does note that a significant portion of its R&D increase between 2018 and 2019 was due to its acquisition of Jack Wolfskin, an outdoor apparel company.)
The key is this: U.S. companies can take a tax credit for a portion of their R&D spending from their taxable income. This is a complex calculation and we do not have full details on how golf OEMs perform it, but the documents reveal that Callaway has carried forward $18.8 million in federal R&D tax credits, which will expire in the 2030s. These tax credits account for about 3.5% of Callaway’s 2019 taxable income and 4.4% of its 2018 taxable income.
Then there is McIlroy’s claim of wasteful spending. The USGA’s Janeen Driscoll responded to that notion when queried by Knights.
“The USGA invested $1 million total in Distance Insights from 2017 to 2020—the majority of which was dedicated to third-party research,” Driscoll told The Fried Egg in an email. “A lot of this research was dedicated to better understanding and quantifying the recreational game, as we had more than enough data from professional tours and golf at the elite competitive level.”
Driscoll went on to compare that multi-year $1 million investment to the USGA’s spending on other initiatives. In 2020 alone, the organization dedicated $1.3 million to junior programs, $1.9 million to turfgrass research grants, more than $1 million to the PJ Boatwright Internship program, and another $3 million to golf history research and preservation. The USGA also typically sets aside about $10 million per year to conduct amateur championships around the country.
There is more, including the USGA’s Green Section work and other programs that give back to the game.
These two stars are very good at golf and that’s their expertise. Most golf publications will never do anything but praise the players no matter how silly their claims, all in hopes of scratching up a few ad dollars from the manufacturers. But this is a reminder that the topic is multi-layered and such remarks deserve more investigation as the debate progresses.
USGA And R&A: We Are Living In The Post-Stability-Through-Regulation Era
/In going through the distance report that was part of the USGA/R&A announcement of equipment changes on the table, a couple of charts didn’t get quite enough attention for their very not-subtle messages.
In this “Figure 1” we some startling spikes in recent years, including the huge jump in PGA Tour “all drive” numbers. But it’s the shading of the graph that breaks the eras by blame.
Advancements from Club Innovations and Ball Innovations place emphasis on the ball over clubhead size as a distance gain force.
Then there is the “Stability through regulation” run from 2005 to 2017. I’ll pause here for snorting laughs.
Then there is the white section. Just waiting to be named for 2018 to today. For now let’s go with: Instability With Regulation Needed.
In Figure 2 the focus is on major regulation moves, with “Stability Through Regulation” highlighting over a decade ending in huge spikes. Also noteworthy here is the blame placed on the ball (pink shading) and the waiting-to-be-named section in white.
R&A Proposing "Community Golf Facility" In Glasgow
/For years the idea of a family-focused and smaller facility to give people with busy schedules a place to stay in touch with the game seemed like a swell idea. Some with grander ideas have considered weaving in non-golf amenities with the idea of creating something on smaller acreage in locations where scarcity or the need to re-imagine a golf footprint was called for.
No one has done it.
So this makes for a fascinating move by the R&A to take matters into their hands by creating a model facility. (I still think priority one should be to rescue historic Musselburgh and incorporate some of these elements given its location and importance to the game…but we’ll save that for another day.)
For Immediate Release:
THE R&A TO SUBMIT PLANNING APPLICATION FOR NEW GOLF FACILITY IN GLASGOW
11 February, St Andrews, Scotland: The R&A is submitting a planning application to Glasgow City Council for the construction of a new community golf facility that it is hoped will open in the summer of 2022.
The project aims to redevelop the existing public course at Lethamhill to create a family-focussed venue that provides access to a nine-hole course, Par 3 course, putting greens, short-game area, adventure golf and a 25-bay floodlit driving range for visitors to enjoy a wide range of golf activities, including shorter forms of the sport.
Additional features including a café, fitness studio, indoor simulator and movie theatre, education room and retail area are also being planned as part of a central hub that would offer views north over nearby Hogganfield Loch to the Campsie Fells and south to the City of Glasgow.
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We want to make golf more welcoming and inclusive for people of all ages and backgrounds and so we need to appeal to them by offering a variety of fun and affordable activities that entice more families and young people into the sport.
“We are excited by the prospect of establishing a facility in the very heart of the local community in north-east Glasgow that provides an accessible pathway into golf and inspires people to get out, have fun and experience the many health benefits that playing golf with family and friends can provide.”
In collaboration with Glasgow Life, the views of local stakeholders including current golfers, community groups and elected representatives are being considered to assist in shaping the development of the facility to create a destination that truly appeals to local people.
Work is also being carried out with the Golf Foundation and Scottish Golf to devise future participation and education programmes that use Glasgow Life’s existing Active Schools network to connect local schools with the new facility and inspire young people to experience playing golf in a fun and relaxed environment.
Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council, said, “This project is a great example of innovative thinking which protects and enhances resources relied on by the local communities and the whole city. It delivers an incredible facility for golfers while at the same time offering families more opportunities to discover the joy and health benefits of taking part in sport.
“The prospect of creating such a fantastic venue in what is already a well-used hub is something everyone can be very enthusiastic about, and we’re looking forward to working with The R&A and engaging with groups and clubs in the local area to develop a facility which is the first of its kind in Glasgow.”
The R&A has been working closely with the Seven Lochs Partnership and leading sustainability professionals to establish clear commitments to delivering positive environmental, health and social benefits to the local community and ensure best practice in sustainability is used throughout the facility.
A new network of public nature trails that link into existing walking routes of the Seven Lochs Wetland Park is being planned for use by visitors to the urban heritage and nature park, which seeks to promote health and well-being and enhance biodiversity.
Councillor Maureen Burke, Chair of the Seven Lochs Partnership, said, “The R&A’s plans for Lethamhill will be a fantastic addition to the Seven Lochs Wetland Park and will help to make the park a great place to discover and explore nature on your doorstep.
“This is a great opportunity to show how golf can promote wider well-being and environmental benefits and we look forward to working closely with The R&A to create new habitats for wildlife, design nature trails around the golf course and develop outdoor learning activities for local schools.”
News And Notes: Major Media Move Speculation, Landmark (Watch) Deals
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This week’s major notes cover the gamut with a little Ryder Cup news thrown in.
The media items alone are fun to consider—unless your job depends on it—and suggest we’re in for a lively period of change in how and where we consume the big events.
The weekly notes are free for all subscribers so sign up. And here is more on how The Quadrilateral works, now one month and 17 editions in. Thanks to all who’ve signed up.
The (Current) Major Pecking Order, Part I
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Now that football has moved on and spring training’s start is up in the air, the Masters and condensed major season begins in earnest.
So what better time than now to rank the majors? I have done so in the latest Quadrilateral, this one for paid subscribers who already have it in their inbox.
For more on The Quadrilateral here is the standalone site explaining what it’s all about with big pretty pictures. And here is the Substack landing page with more words, few photos and info on how to sign up.
"Scores aren't really any different," Says The New Masters Scoring Record Holder
/Dustin Johnson, chiming in on the USGA and R&A’s proposed equipment standards changes, is towing the Taylormade line. But having just broken or tied nine scoring records at the fall Masters, this was a curious claim:
“I don't think so,” responded the 36-year-old, when asked if golf needs to have something in place to control distance. “I mean, if you look at the scores over the last 15 years, scores aren't really any different, and I don't feel like the game is too easy by any means.”
He also gives an endorsement of sorts and states the most important point: players will adjust.
“It's all conditions I think. But I don't think that we're hitting it too far or our scores are too good. So, if they want to do something, that's fine, but obviously we'll all adjust to it and go from there. But as of right now, I don't think there's anything they need to do.”
News And Notes From The Majors: The Open Will Happen, Torrey Pines Wrap
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So much to cover in a busier-than normal week for major championship news. But The Quadrilateral is here for you and Thursday’s notes edition is free.
Be sure to sign up and thanks to so many of you who’ve taken the leap. I’m beyond thrilled at the support on February 4th already, confirming my suspicions that the majors mean a lot to plenty of golf fans.
Here is more on The Quadrilateral and one note: I do anticipate Q&A’s and podcasts coming soon. But just keeping up with and analyzing the major(s) news has been kind of incredible lately! Thanks for your patience.
Bryson Initiates Call With USGA Over Coming Changes And Sounds Convinced Rule Changes Will Protect "Human Element"
/Too bad more players are not this grounded when it comes to the distance and skill discussion.
Of course this was said in Saudi Arabia where Bryson DeChambeau is headlining the European Tour’s stop there, but we’ll set that aside for now:
Q. I don't know if you had a chance to see the fact that the USGA and the R&A -- you have, good. You seem to be the only one that's literate coming into this thing. Anyways, what's your thoughts on it, and do you think that distance is an issue?
BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU: Well, look, I had a great conversation with John Bodenheimer and Jason Gore yesterday when it came out, pretty much right when it came out. That was my doing. I wanted to talk to them and get their piece on it. I totally understand what they are about. They are trying not to take the human element out of it, which I think is the most important factor in this whole conversation.
When it comes to the equipment aspect, they are trying to make it more of a -- I guess you could say same or fair playing field where you can't just put a 48-inch driver and it works for this person, you could gain six, seven miles an hour where somebody couldn't because the driver just doesn't work for them or whatever.
I think the most important factor in this whole discussion is that they are focused on keeping the integrity of the game and trying to make it more of a fair playing field while not taking out the human element.
I’m just stopping here to let you go back and read that last graph again. This is Bryson DeChambeau. Yeah he’s definitely cut back on the bacon.
From my perspective, I think it suits me really well because as of right now, I'm still playing the 45-and-a-half-inch driver, and it's suiting me perfectly well, and I'm not going to the 48. So if someone was trying to go to the 48 for them they could gain six, seven miles an hour pretty quickly and now it's not a possibility. And I think it's going to be more difficult for people to gain speed easily. They are going to have to work really hard, just like I have.
For me right now, I feel like it's a pretty good advantage from the way I look at it.
Q. Did you initiate the conversation?
BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU: I did.
Q. All that being said, would you not have a problem if they decided not to make adjustments into the rules?
BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU: No, I welcome it as long as they don't change the human element. Again, I'm going to play with whatever they gave me. I'm not worried about it. I'm going to do what that they say is legal and I'll just go from there and find the best way to play for me under The Rules of Golf.
There's no issues -- it's funny, I'm sure there's a lot of excitement about me having a potentially controversial thought on it but I don't. I think it's a really cool thought process. It's a little flattering in a sense, because I did talk about that 48-inch driver for so long, and it just didn't work for me the way I wanted it to.
As it's played out, I think it's really cool to see that there's some change off of the conversations that I've had, and it's just pretty interesting to me.
Human element. I’m borrowing that. So should the USGA and R&A.
NLU Podcast: Unpacking The USGA/R&A Announcement
/A chat with No Laying Up’s Chris Solomon not long after the USGA and R&A announced serious efforts to address the distance issue.
Shocking Equipment Proposal Sets Up Major(s) Skirmish
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My latest in The Quadrilateral takes a look at the surprising aggressiveness of the governing bodies proposing equipment rule changes and how the men’s majors will get caught in the middle.
One follow-up note since this paid subscriber-only piece was posted: the PGA of America offered a statement in response to my request for comment.
"We look forward to providing feedback once we have the opportunity to review the areas of interest."
Augusta National Golf Club has not responded to a request regarding Tuesday’s rollout and what it might mean for The Masters.
Taylormade Is For Sale (Again) And The Company Is Also Opposed To Distance Rule Changes
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The New York Times’ Dealbook reports that KPS Capital Partners has hired Morgan Stanley to handle a sale of Taylormade.
Perhaps at a tidy profit.
A deal could value the company at more than $2 billion; KPS bought it for $425 million from Adidas four years ago. Spokespeople for Morgan Stanley and KPS declined to comment, while TaylorMade was unavailable for comment.
KPS bought Taylormade from Adidas in 2017.
According to Golfweek’s David Dusek, the company issued a statement in response to news of possible major equipment rule changes.
The statement from CEO David Abeles suggests his mind is made up:
“We have meticulously reviewed the USGA and R&A’s 2017 Distance Report and discussed its findings with key stakeholders. Additionally, we have carefully considered the inferred implications that the study may have on the game moving forward. The TaylorMade Golf Company firmly opposes any potential rollback of product performance or bifurcation of the rules in any form as we believe these movements will be detrimental to the game at every level.”
Taylormade is free at any time to make any product they would like. The USGA and R&A’s rules are completely optional.
Or, bifurcation of the rules could allow Taylormade to make “forward moving” products for the average golfer yet under the rules of golf.
“We are optimistic about golf’s future and we believe that the growth initiatives our industry has invested in are beginning to drive participation momentum in our sport.
The “industry” being non-profit organizations.
The outlay to support “growth initiatives” by the for-profit manufacturers has been minsicule, at best.
“Any separation from the rules or any step backward in performance would be disadvantageous to the growth of the game.
As the sport enjoys incredible sales due to golfers having more time, not due to any new innovation.
For millions of golfers of all skill levels, we believe innovation and technology lead to better performance, and better performance brings more joy to the game for all who play it.
Equipment has never been better. Ever. Never easier to hit but it took additional free time caused by a pandemic to spike rounds.
“As the discussion around bifurcation and rollback formalizes, we look forward to having a seat at the table to lend our voice. Until then, we will continue to create the best performing products for all golfers.”
He’s openly hostile to the equipment news, not for bifurcation that might allow for more “game improvement” innovation, yet wants a seat at the table. Audacious.
Also possibly cornering the company at the time of a sale. Courageous.
Proposed Equipment Changes: Is Everything On The Table?
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I think so.
Granted, this may just be the USGA and R&A sending manufacturers down various paths just for the fun of it, but I’m still wrapping my head around this section of the “Topics of Interest” presented today:
In order to progress these matters, The R&A and the USGA will assess potential changes to both club and ball specifications over a wide range of skill levels and swing speeds that could lead to a reduction in driving distance, lead to a reduction of the distance for other clubs in the bag and lead to an enhancement in the balance between hitting distance and other skills, while at the same time conducting research in other areas beyond those directly associated with equipment specifications.
Regarding club and ball specifications we will evaluate the following:
•Reduction in the limit within the overall distance standard
•Modification in the limitation of ball efficiency (update to IV)
•Other ball specifications (size, mass)
•Reduction in the performance of drivers: club length and clubhead dimensions (including volume)
•Changes in the clubhead specifications on spring-like effect and moment of inertia, also considering the utilization of radius of gyration limitations
•Production of spin from all clubs from all areas of the course.
We will also evaluate the potential use of a Local Rule option to specify use of a defined subset of conforming clubs and/or balls intended to result in shorter hitting distances and/or an enhancement in the balance between distance and other skills. The concept is that a Committee or golf facility would have the option of requiring the use of equipment meeting these specifications or a subset of them. We are seeking feedback from manufacturers and stakeholders on this concept and how any of the above listed research topics could potentially be considered for use as a Local Rule.
Sure sounds like driver head size, the ball, grooves and most everything is a possible target.
Though it still seems most likely, based on the Distance Insights conclusion, that ball aerodynamics and the driver face will be what ends up changing.
Thoughts?
"The USGA and R&A Announce Golf Equipment Research Topics and Proposed Equipment Standards Changes"
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We have a lot to get to! For now, the press release says a lot. With, admittedly, a fun buried lede.
The USGA and R&A Announce Golf Equipment Research Topics and Proposed Equipment Standards Changes
Research topics include potential Local Rule and review of club and ball specifications
to help mitigate continuing distance increases
Proposed changes to current Equipment Standards on club length, test conditions for golf ball testing and tolerances for club spring-like effect to ensure effectiveness in relation to distance limits
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J., USA and ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (Feb. 2, 2021) – The USGA and The R&A are re-engaging with the golf industry on the Distance Insights project, which aims to help achieve a more sustainable long-term future for golf.
Strong lede.
The governing bodies are issuing specific Areas of Interest to help mitigate continuing distance increases and three proposed changes to the Equipment Rules to ensure their effectiveness in relation to distance limits.
Areas of Interest=Person of Interest.
The delivery of research topics related to hitting distances and golf’s sustainability was delayed in 2020 to allow the golf industry to focus on the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Areas of Interest notice, sent on Monday to golf equipment manufacturers, follows the conclusions of the Distance Insights Report delivered last February. It is the first step of the established Equipment Rulemaking Procedures, which give the opportunity for golf’s stakeholders to provide research and perspectives on topics that might lead to equipment Rules changes.
In addition, three proposals related to Equipment Standards were also sent to the manufacturers yesterday and have been published – two to modernize equipment testing protocols and the other to consider the adoption of a Model Local Rule that would provide flexibility for committees, if they so choose, to limit the maximum length for clubs other than putters from 48 to 46 inches. Notice and comment periods have begun immediately to invite feedback on each of the three proposals from golf industry stakeholders.
The Model Local Rule. Also none as, a gift to Augusta National’s stately 13th tee pines that will live to see many more Masters and allow Bryson DeChambeau to say he’s been unfairly targeted. Maybe.
It’s a little too targeted and personal. Which might be the goal given that I see early reports by those who had the embargoed version of this leading with DeChambeau targeting in their headlines. Could backfire. Or could be a brilliant bait and switch to protect the big ticket changes.
Research Topics/Areas of Interest
Document link: Official USGA/R&A Document
(Research due by Nov. 2, 2021)
The Areas of Interest notice addresses two specific Areas of Interest:
The potential use of a Local Rule that would specify the use of clubs and/or balls intended to result in shorter hitting distances. This would enable committees conducting competitions to stipulate whether such equipment should be used. It could be available at all levels of play and would also allow golfers playing outside of competition to choose for themselves.
That is bifurcation whether they will call it such or not. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
A review of the overall conformance specifications for both clubs and balls, including specifications that both directly and indirectly affect hitting distances. This review would consider whether any existing specifications should be adjusted or any new specifications created to help mitigate continuing distance increases. It would not consider revising the overall specifications to produce substantial reductions in hitting distances at all levels of the game. A list of club and ball specifications to be reviewed can be found in the official notice.
Stakeholders are invited to participate in the process by sharing any data or perspectives they might have on these topics by Nov. 2, 2021.
Oh so much time to rack up billable hours!
The topics are purely areas for research. No solutions or decisions are being proposed at this stage. Any proposals for Rule changes that might result from this research will be communicated in accordance with the Equipment Rulemaking Procedures.
Proposed Equipment Standards changes
The USGA and The R&A are addressing the effectiveness of current equipment-testing processes, protocols and standards with respect to distance limits. As a result, the governing bodies are seeking comment from equipment manufacturers on three proposed Equipment Standards changes, as follows:
Proposal #1: Club length – reduction to 46 inches available as a Model Local Rule (MLR) (Original proposal delivered in 2016 and paused in 2017 due to the Distance Insights Project). Comment period ends on March 4, 2021.
And on March 5th…sorry, go on.
Proposal #2: Update on testing method for golf balls. Comment period ends on Aug. 2, 2021.
Proposal #3: Change to testing tolerance – Characteristic Time. Comment period ends on Aug. 2, 2021.
These items were telegraphed in the Distance Insights report, so should come as little surprise to manufacturers.
The 2020 Annual Driving Distance Report
The USGA and The R&A also today released the 2020 Annual Driving Distance Report. The full report can be found here: Report Link
Key quotes
Mike Davis, Chief Executive Officer of the USGA, said, “The research conducted through Distance Insights clearly shows that hitting distances have consistently increased through time and, if left unchecked, could threaten the long-term future of our game at every level and every golf course on which it is played. This is the first forward step in a journey and a responsibility the USGA and The R&A share with the worldwide golf community, to ensure that golf continues to thrive for the next hundred years and beyond.”
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We are now able to progress with the work on this critical topic and are beginning the next phase as expeditiously as possible. The research topics and the proposed changes we have announced will be the focus of our attention in the coming months and we look forward to gaining insights from the golf industry and fully understanding their perspectives on these key areas. We remain fully committed to conducting this hugely important exercise for the sport thoroughly, efficiently and collaboratively.”
Strongest quotes yet. They’ve made up their minds. Let the whining begin!
And now for your buried lede.
Updates Since February 2020
During the pause in distance-related research caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the USGA and The R&A completed their regular review of equipment-testing processes, protocols and standards to ensure their effectiveness in relation to distance limits. The proposals detailed above are the outcome of this regular review of equipment-testing processes, protocols and standards to ensure their effectiveness.
As such, these proposals were not conceived and are not intended to be solutions to the distance issues identified in the Distance Insights Report.
But we did add the 46-inch driver rule based on what we were seeing.
The summary below of the issue at hand is also quite well said.
All notices related to golf equipment follow the Equipment Rulemaking Procedures adopted in 2011 by the USGA, The R&A and golf equipment manufacturers, which provide an open process of dialogue for all involved. The procedures can be reviewed here.
The Distance Insights Report released last year highlighted the impact of long-term hitting distance increases on some of golf’s essential elements, including changing the strategic challenge of the game, altering the variety of skills needed to be successful and risking courses becoming less challenging or obsolete. Further, the report states that the overall trend of golf courses becoming longer has adverse consequences that ultimately affect golfers at all levels of the game. The governing bodies are working with the key stakeholders in golf to address these issues in a way that brings the game together and which ensures it will continue to thrive for many years to come.
Work is also currently being conducted to develop industry-wide recommendations and best management practices on course design, setup and course conditions related to distance for all golf courses and golfers, as detailed among next steps in the Distance Insights conclusions document delivered last year. The USGA is currently conducting field testing and research, with outcomes to be delivered throughout 2021.
And there you go. Easily the most confident statements we’ve ever seen from the governing bodies.
