Changes coming to golf balls for elite tours

[bl8d]

Maybe a hint to make the ball a bit larger? Easy to check conformance with a proof ring. I know that manufacturers already make slightly larger balls for some markets.

agree.
The ball only needs to increase to 1.71 to have an effect on a pro's driving distance.
This "loss" will be easily offset by a better roll on the green.

If they really want to go hardcore they all need to come to an agreement on the max number and depth of the dimples.

this leaves them room to set the size and shape of the dimples.

[sharkhark]

I don't agree with all this. But if they are finally going to do different rules for players.....

... let's have it open for amateurs to have no limits on equipment let's see what manufacturers can do with no rules on distance for us....😉

[Weirfan]

I don't agree with all this. But if they are finally going to do different rules for players.....

... let's have it open for amateurs to have no limits on equipment let's see what manufacturers can do with no rules on distance for us....😉

Interesting idea. So few amateur golfers carry a handicap ( < 10%) for competition purposes so why don't the manufacturers start building more clubs , balls that exceed the limits of performance in order to make the game easier and more fun.

Casual golfers cheat( dont follow the rules) all the time, so what's wrong with it

there are some "illegal" balls out there and also a few Hi COR drivers over the years,...but why not push this idea ?

[rulie]

Interesting idea. So few amateur golfers carry a handicap ( < 10%) for competition purposes so why don't the manufacturers start building more clubs , balls that exceed the limits of performance in order to make the game easier and more fun.

Casual golfers cheat( dont follow the rules) all the time, so what's wrong with it

there are some "illegal" balls out there and also a few Hi COR drivers over the years,...but why not push this idea ?

So, without Rules, what is a club? Ever hit a golf ball with a baseball bat. hockey stick or a tennis racquet? There needs to be some standards for a game to exist as such.

[Playthru]

This may seem counterintuitive but I believe that one of the attractions of the game is that it is difficult and challenging. I am against bifurcation because only when I use the same equipment as the pros can I appreciate and admire their skills.

[dmcdam]

So, without Rules, what is a club? Ever hit a golf ball with a baseball bat. hockey stick or a tennis racquet? There needs to be some standards for a game to exist as such.

The standard is the ball must be hit with a golf club. Don't get stuck in the weeds over what constitutes a golf club for casual play. Think of it like basketball. Not every single ball in use at the courts will be completely regulation, but we can all agree they look and act like a basketball. No one is using a tennis ball or a racquetball. The majority of pick up games won't be played perfectly by the rules, but they're still playing basketball.

[bogey5]

Taylormade survey on bifucation

https://twitter.com/TaylorMadeGolf/s...bifurcation%2F

[Ignatius Reilly]

Thinking a little moron this.....

One of the joys of playing golf and watching the pros is we are all playing the same equipment on the same courses and under the same rules.

Sure, the rough may be up and the fairways narrowed and the greens faster for them, but it's the same course.

I like that.

I've run a bunch of marathons, some small and local and some of which have had world class fields and we all ran the exact same route and started at the same time. There's something special about doing that.

I marvel at the pros game because we're playing the same game. Just a little better, or worse - but I can compare my game to theirs because the equipment is the same.

[dmcdam]

Thinking a little moron this.....

One of the joys of playing golf and watching the pros is we are all playing the same equipment on the same courses and under the same rules.

Sure, the rough may be up and the fairways narrowed and the greens faster for them, but it's the same course.

I like that.

I've run a bunch of marathons, some small and local and some of which have had world class fields and we all ran the exact same route and started at the same time. There's something special about doing that.

I marvel at the pros game because we're playing the same game. Just a little better, or worse - but I can compare my game to theirs because the equipment is the same.

This thinking is exactly why ProV1's are the best selling golf balls in the world. It certainly isn't because they're best suited for everyone's game.

[Ignatius Reilly]

This thinking is exactly why ProV1's are the best selling golf balls in the world. It certainly isn't because they're best suited for everyone's game.

Well, I'm smart enough not to play pro-v's but I'm up for all the rest of it.

And just to be clear, if I'm against bifurcation and feel the equipment is leading to problems, that's why I endorse the idea of a new shorter ball for all. Longer hitters are still rewarded with longer hits, but they would once again have hazards where the designer intended and have to play shots the architect intended.

If you remove a lot of the old architecture/design elements from play, then.... why bother flying anywhere or paying a small fortune to play a Ross or Tillinghast or Coore/Crenshaw or Dye or McKenzie or Holt or Thompson or...., when Don Valley will do pretty much the same thing?

[dmcdam]

Well, I'm smart enough not to play pro-v's but I'm up for all the rest of it.

And just to be clear, if I'm against bifurcation and feel the equipment is leading to problems, that's why I endorse the idea of a new shorter ball for all. Longer hitters are still rewarded with longer hits, but they would once again have hazards where the designer intended and have to play shots the architect intended.

If you remove a lot of the old architecture/design elements from play, then.... why bother flying anywhere or paying a small fortune to play a Ross or Tillinghast or Coore/Crenshaw or Dye or McKenzie or Holt or Thompson or...., when Don Valley will do pretty much the same thing?

I'm decidedly split so far. While I appreciate the architecture argument, I also like to watch guys hit ridiculous bombs off the tee. I guess I have 3 years to figure out which side I'm on

[bogey5]

McIlroy says he has "evolved".

Taylomade says "WTF Rory"?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/65038068

[Ignatius Reilly]

I'm decidedly split so far. While I appreciate the architecture argument, I also like to watch guys hit ridiculous bombs off the tee. I guess I have 3 years to figure out which side I'm on

I enjoy seeing crazy bombs as well. Even if it's BDC and he's driving the green on a par 5 .

I can also live without it, or go to a long drive event for that.

It's probably been 20 years since I first saw a 400 yd drive (Els at Kapalua?) which was cool enough if that's more or less what we went back to.

Fun factoids: Casey Martin (of all players!) was the first to record a 400+ drive (on PGAT) in 2001. The longest drive is 787 (cart path assisted) by Carl Cooper in 1992. Another big one is by Mike Austin, 64 years old at the time, who hit a 515-yard drive on Sept. 25, 1974 in the National Seniors Open Championship in Vegas.

[dmcdam]

I enjoy seeing crazy bombs as well. Even if it's BDC and he's driving the green on a par 5 .

I can also live without it, or go to a long drive event for that.

It's probably been 20 years since I first saw a 400 yd drive (Els at Kapalua?) which was cool enough if that's more or less what we went back to.

Fun factoids: Casey Martin (of all players!) was the first to record a 400+ drive (on PGAT) in 2001. The longest drive is 787 (cart path assisted) by Carl Cooper in 1992. Another big one is by Mike Austin, 64 years old at the time, who hit a 515-yard drive on Sept. 25, 1974 in the National Seniors Open Championship in Vegas.

The way the commentators gush about the driving distance, there must be a sizeable audience wanting to see it. I can't watch long drive when 75% of the shots don't even count. At least with PGA, missing the fairway should penalize them in some way (in theory at least).