Ohio Golf Journal March 2020

testosterone-laden “my course is longer than your course.” For years the USGA and the R&A have been warning that golf has a distance problemand it would be naïve to believe the DIR wasn’t compiled with “we’ve got to do something about this” in mind. A reasonable guess would be the Rules will be changed to rein in distance by limiting club responsiveness, or ball speed, and possibly both. Since most weekend warriors feel pretty good if they can produce a tee shot that travels in excess of 200 yards, the obvious solution is two sets of rules, or bifurcation. One set of rules for us mere mortals and another for the elites. The USGA has long-held, however, that bifurcation of the Rules is unacceptable. Faced with solving the supposed distance problem and without splitting the rules based on playing ability, the most probable solution is a local rule allowing events such as the U.S. Open to specify a lower amount of clubface rebound, or a shorter ball. The idea that golf equipment companies, that have spent millions of dollars creating modern golf balls and clubs, would put themselves in the position of being penalized for doing too good a job is irrational. Tour player validation is a key factor in every golf equipment manufacturer’s marketing plan. The implied premise being, with the latest and greatest club, ball, shoe, glove, etc. every weekend warrior can rip it like Rory, D.J., Brooks or Bryson. A bit irrational, but that’s the basic sizzle in the golf equipment message. Two sets of equipment standards would certainly muffle and possibly silence tour player validation from manufacturer’s product promotion. Finally, chances are close to zero the club and ball makers will take this lying down. Could a manufacturer sue the USGA? Have we forgotten the PING lawsuit 20 years ago? Will that make golf’s ruling body reluctant to the fight a prolonged and expensive legal battle? One thing is sure, the Distance Insights Report increases the drumbeat for change. For golf equipment, it’s all over but the shouting.