PGA Of America Among Latest To Voice Opposition Against Golf Ball Rollback Proposal
The World Alliance of PGA’s have joined the PGA Tour in not supporting the USGA and R&A's proposed Model Local Rule
The World Alliance of PGA’s have become the latest group to voice their opposition at the USGA and R&A’s proposed golf rollback plans, labelling them “fundamentally damaging and detrimental in the long run.”
In March, the two governing bodies announced plans for a new Model Local Rule, which would see the bifurcation of the golf ball. Recreational golfers would be unaffected but the rule would see professional golfers use new specially-tested golf balls from 2026 in an aim to curb ever-increasing hitting distances.
The plans have sparked furious debates in all corners of the golfing community, with the PGA World Alliance - made up of nine PGAs around the world, including America - the latest to voice their displeasure at the proposal.
“We fear that the proposed changes could seriously interrupt the current momentum in the game and be fundamentally damaging and detrimental in the long run,” the letter, signed by PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh and obtained by GolfChannel.com, read.
“It is something that we feel could lead to division and cause us to lose a very precarious characteristic of golf; the fact that we all play on the same course with the same clubs and balls. In our view, this dynamic should be preserved as a fundamental tenet.”
Alongside this, the letter also cited a number of operational concerns it had with the potential changes such as the monitoring of players, retailers having to stock two different types of balls and the implementation of a coherent handicap system.
It also feared that suggestions to allow professional women golfers to use a different ball might harm the game “at a time when we are all trying to promote and champion women’s golf and participation.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
This letter comes less than two weeks after the PGA Tour publicly came out against the proposed rollback with a host of players and equipment providers also not in favour of the change.
"Although there has been some level of support for limiting future increases, there is widespread and significant belief the proposed Modified Local Rule is not warranted and is not in the best interest of the game,” Jay Monahan wrote.
For now, the World Alliance of PGAs has suggested an extension to the consultation period - set to end on August 14th - to ensure that the “conflicting data” can be further examined and a white paper can be produced to potentially consider alternative solutions to the distance debate.
“We respectfully ask that you consider pushing back the implementation of any roll back thereby maintaining the status quo significantly past the currently contemplated dates. We believe this to be the best approach toward a truly collaborative industry proposal and potential alternative to the thorny challenges of bifurcation,” they ended.
Without the support of the PGAs and PGA Tour, any Model Local Rules may now be difficult to force through. The USGA has not commented publicly on the two statements but issued a brief statement to Golf Channel.
The governing body said: “We remain in a Notice & Comment period, accepting feedback from voices from across the game. The PGA is an important stakeholder and we appreciate the feedback they have contributed to this conversation.”
Ben joined Golf Monthly having completed his NCTJ in multimedia sports journalism at News Associates, London. He is now a freelance journalist who also works for The Independent, Metro, UEFA and Stats Perform.
-
I Paid Just £99 For A Waterproof Jacket, Trousers And Wooly Hat And The Quality Shocked Me
Druids Golf is a company seeking to disrupt the golf apparel market as a more affordable alternative to the status quo, but is it any good? Joel Tadman put its waterproof suit to the test...
By Joel Tadman Published
-
Play With 3 Clubs And Whack The Ball As Hard As You Can... Why Charley Hull's Unconventional Advice Could Be The Secret To Better Golf
Charley Hull and Annabel Dimmock share tips at an exclusive TaylorMade Golf event
By Alison Root Published
-
Bryson DeChambeau Ninth Favorite At Pinehurst As PGA Champion Xander Schauffele Trails Rory McIlroy In Early US Open Odds
The bookmakers have released their odds for the next men's Major championship - the US Open - and there are a few eyebrow-raising situations at hand
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Surprising Pro Surges To Second Behind Rory McIlroy In Most Popular PGA Championship Bets 2024
Despite having not yet won a Major, one name has moved past multiple champions like Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka in terms of total bet share for the PGA Championship
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
World Wide Technology Championship Purse, Prize Money And Field 2023
PGA Championship hero Michael Block appears as the tournament heads to a new venue
By Mike Hall Published
-
Odyssey Golf And YouTube Stars Good Good Collaborate With New Putters
The YouTube group signed a deal with Callaway at the start of 2023 and will release their second limited-edition product together
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Seven-Handicap YouTube Star Defies Odds To Complete Hole-In-One Challenge
YouTube star and CEO of gaming organisation 100 Thieves 'Nadeshot' achieved the feat in little over an hour having rented out a course to put his skills to the test
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Purse, Prize Money And Field 2023
Ewen Ferguson defends his title as the DP World Tour heads to the Middle East at Doha Golf Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
Fans Forced To Leave DP World Tour Event Due To High Winds
High winds caused some of the Andalucia Masters' first round to be played behind closed doors due to fears over fan safety
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Top Amateur Follows Ludvig Aberg's Footsteps And Secures PGA Tour Card In College
Gordon Sargent is the first player to earn his Tour card through the new PGA TOUR University Accelerated system
By Ben Fleming Published