Ohio Golf Journal March 2020

USGA Distance Report : It’s All Over, But the Shouting! By Ed Travis A ccording to the recently released USGA and the R&A Distance Insights Report (DIR) golfers, including you, hit the ball too far and future distance increases must be stopped by “rolling back” equipment performance. The DIR effectively draws a line in the sand, but did not say what would be changed, or if anything would be done. The implication seems clear, however. Quoting from the Report’s conclusion: “This report clearly shows a consistent increase in hitting distance and golf course lengths over the last 100-plus years. These increases have had a profound impact on costs to build, modify and operate golf courses and they have impacted golfers at all levels. We believe this problem will continue unless this cycle is brought to an end. With collaboration from the entire golf community, we have an opportunity to stem this tide and help ensure golf remains sustainable and enjoyable for generations to come.” “Brought to an end” and “stem this tide” sound like a prelude to reversing allowable performance of clubs and balls to some previous level. The Report also says more study and additional input from “stakeholders” is needed pushing the inevitable out at least a year. If you have any doubt as to the outcome, Mike Davis, Chief Executive Officer of the USGA, went on record two years ago saying that before his term of office ends, he will get the ball “rolled back.” Neither does it seem there is much room for compromise, other than arguing over how many yards will be pared. It’s baffling that rules makers want to keep golfers from hitting the ball farther, in effect making the game harder, while at the same time professing their desire to “grow the game.” The reasoning of this apparent dichotomy is not apparent. It does seem though golf’s OPINION