Will be reduced by up to 15 yards or more

The R&A and the USGA, which manage regulations on golf rules and performance of golf equipment, officially announced on the 7th (Korea Standard Time) that they will confirm new regulations, so-called golf ball distance standards (ODS), to curb the increase in golf ball distance and implement them from 2028.

The core of the new rules is to restrict the use of golf balls with head speed of 125 miles per hour (201.17 kilometers per hour equivalent to 183 miles per hour), launch angle of 11 degrees, and spin of 2,200 rpm to exceed 317 yards. These are three key elements of long range performance that send golf balls away.

However, this has been eased from the condition that the head speed of 120 miles (176 miles ball speed), spin of 2520 rpm, and launch angle of 10 degrees announced in 2020.

The new regulation is the result of a comprehensive investigation, including collecting and analyzing data through the "Distances Insight" project, which began in 2018, and collecting opinions from players and stakeholders. In addition, the data provided by seven major tours around the world were analyzed by management agencies that issue annual driving distance reports every year since 2015.

If the new regulation is applied, golf balls currently used by professional players and sold on the market cannot be used in the game. In other words, golf balls used by most players are included in this, requiring major changes.

With the introduction of the new regulation, players' distances are expected to be reduced by at least 5 to 7 yards and up to 15 yards.

R&A and USGA predicted that long-distance players with a ball speed of 183 miles per hour (294.5 kilometers) would reduce their driving distance by 13 to 15 yards.

According to an analysis by the R&A and the U.S.GA of ball speeds of long hitters in this year's tour, the fastest top 10 players averaged 186 mph, while the average ball speed of the top 25 players was 183.4 mph. Some players had a top speed of 190 mph.

Applying the standard golf ball distance rule, R&A and USGA predicted that the average ball speed of 172.8 miles will be reduced by an average of 9 to 11 yards for PGA Tour players, 5 to 7 yards for LPGA Tour players, and 5 yards for regular amateur golfers.

The new rules apply to professional competitions first, and to general amateur golfers from 2030. A grace period has been set to allow professional and amateur golfers, golf ball manufacturers and retailers to adapt.

The restrictions on golf ball performance stemmed from concerns that the ever-increasing distance undermines the nature of golf and does not help the development of the golf industry.

Critics point out that the improved driving distance performance of golf balls at a time when the length of golf courses is limited is undermining the essence of traditional golf. As a result, more and more professional golf competitions use par-5 holes as par-4 holes, and more and more professional golf courses are approaching 8,000 yards. In this year's PGA Tour, 98 players exceeded the average driving distance of 300 yards. In 2010, there were only 12 players.

Reactions to ball performance limitations were mixed.

Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods (USA), and Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) are favorable to ball performance restrictions.

They all swept the championship by banking on long shots, but they believe that sophisticated technology shots are more valuable than long shots. They argue that restricting ball performance will serve as an opportunity for players to work harder on technical shots than long shots. 먹튀검증

Justin Thomas and Keegan Bradley (U.S.) are concerned that golf will lose its appeal if long-distance shots disappear. They are worried that restricting ball performance will hurt the popularity of professional golf.

The golf ball manufacturer took a cautious look at the decision. "Currently, golf balls are strictly controlled in size, weight, initial speed, and total distance, and the current golf ball regulations are already effective and will continue to be effective," Acushnet Korea, the owner of the title list brand, said. "I think cooperation and cooperation with the USGA, R&A, and other stakeholders are more important than ever before proceeding with the change of golf equipment regulations that have a very important impact on the golf industry. To ensure the joy of golf and a bright future for the golf industry, stakeholders will come together to discuss meaningful reviews and continuous alternatives on the decision and its consequences," he said.