1. USGA Roll Back It’s a safe bet the USGA and R&A, arbiters of the Rules of Golf, are going to adopt a rule stipulating a reduction in golf ball or club performance particularly those played by the elites of our game, tour professionals and top amateurs. For the past several years the USGA has claimed players are hitting the ball too far and this is ruining the game. Limiting the distance of the golf ball seems to be the only possible solution. The arguments against roll back are futile since the ruling bodies have already stated regardless of the opinion of others or it would seem, the facts, they are going to proceed. The only question left is whether restrictions will be placed on golf balls, or clubs, or both. There are any number of comments that might be appropriate but the one this writer has had for many years is this is simply another example how out of touch the two associations are with average golfers. 2. LPGA Prize Money Increases Mollie Marcoux Samaan has already made history in just over a year as LPGA commissioner crafting a 33-event 2023 season that will have prize money topping $100 million for the first time, up from $85 million this year. The quality of the play has never been better with venues for next year such as Pebble Beach, TPC Harding Park, Shadow Creek and Baltusrol Golf Club reflecting the increasing fan interest. The LPGA is a true world tour with sponsored tournaments in 12 countries and multinational membership. 3. Women & Golf—A Winning Combination The burgeoning numbers of women playing golf are apparent even to the casual observer. The National Golf Foundation says the number of women taking up the game has risen by 600,000 in the last two years to 6.2 million. Retailers like PGA Tour Superstore have recognized this growing market segment and are actively promoting in-store programs such as group lessons and proactively managing inventory for style and performance. the FedEx Cup and along the way he took his fourth Vardon Trophy and the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai. Rory led the charge against the LIV and became an outspoken critic of it and Greg Norman, while championing the American PGA Tour and European DP World Tour. Ohio Golf Journal
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