USGA Wants a More Competitive Game

 

Are New Golf Balls Necessary for the PGA?

I’m not much of a golfer but I happened to catch an interview with a couple of guys from the USGA (United States Golf Association) on golf ball rule changes. This is pretty wonky stuff but considering I work in the sporting goods world it piqued my interest. The main points are this: golfers are hitting the ball further than ever and risking the potential that the game will be less competitive with an (essentially) shortened playing field. Manufacturers of balls and clubs get more distance than ever with new technology. Not to mention, weight training for golfers and the ‘bigger, stronger, faster’ reality of modern sports.

Keeping the Future in Mind

Slight adjustments to the equipment keep the game competitive long term and prevent courses from having to build out longer playing fields. The first thing to note is this, it’s only intended for the pros and not the public course guys or amateurs. Even then, it’s not clear where and when the new (slower) ball could be used. The reps I saw on TV seemed to think the majors would use them. The Masters, the US Open and the Open Championship would likely introduce the new balls. Is this really necessary? A lot of it comes down to whether you believe professional golf would be better off in the next 20 years with a slower ball.

The logic is sound. If the bigger, stronger, faster trend continues, like it always has, the game is by definition less competitive. Only super long courses with hard, sloping greens will matter. Some of the players reacted sarcastically to the news. Justin Thomas went on an entertaining mini rant about the restrictions. I’d react that way too if I was a player. Don’t mess with my game man. But one thing he got wrong, other sports DO change the rules to make it more enjoyable for the fans, or more competitive for the players.

Other Sports Do the Same

In Basketball, the NBA famously introduced the 3 point line in 1979 to increase scoring and excitement. Before that (1954) the addition of a 24 second shot clock increased the pace of play. You can argue that these tweaks worked in reverse from what golf is trying to do. Instead of tamping down the level of play, the NBA increased it. But leagues make adjustments to the rules all the time. The idea that changing equipment to make it less “hot” is off limits, has never been true. At my store we sell a lot of baseballs and softballs for school teams. If you have a little league team you have to know which baseball is adopted by your particular organization.

Most leagues have a range of adopted baseballs that are very different from what college and pros use. Youth baseballs and softballs have softer centers, different seams and different leather. A major league baseball can’t have the same raised seams as a high school ball. A pitcher like Justin Verlander would put crazy break on a ball with raised seams. It makes sense to create a ball that’s tough to throw, but not so hard to throw that it favors the hitter. And it’s likely a standard that changes every few decades.

In 2012 the baseball bat standards changed for metal and composite, from a loose exit speed to a tight one. The new standard took the number of college home runs down 50% from 2011 to 2012. The manufacturers had to reduce the exit speed because it was a threat to pitchers. The bats had gotten so hot, pitchers couldn’t react quick enough when the ball was hit right back at them. The new standard was more for safety than performance and it’s still with us. Players hated the change then too, but eventually got used to it.

These governing bodies can be wrong about how a rule will affect the game going forward. But nearly every group introduces changes to game along the way.

Does the PGA even have to adopt the rules? It doesn’t look like it. Sam Burns was also asked his opinion on playing with a slower ball. He didn’t like it anymore than JT, but he also made an interesting point. He said that if 120 guys in a big tournament refuse to play with a new ball, what can they really do? I’m paraphrasing but I guess he’s right. This idea could be very unpopular at all levels. Then the USGA would have to scratch it. Especially with LIV golf entering the picture and taking some real talent away from the PGA, it’s unlikely they’ll want to risk loosing fans on a brand new scheme.

Golf is conservative in the traditional way, meaning loathe to change. I can hardly watch the pre and post Master’s tournament sentimental blather. It’s a long running tournament with a lot of tradition, get over it. It’s like eating a basket full of Cadbury Eggs, it’s glorious for10 minutes and then you get sick. Strangely enough, it was Augusta that eventually ditched the rule, forcing players to use club caddies. Tom Watson was one of the first to request a rule change, he wanted his own guy on the bag. The club relented. Even the most tradition bound institutions will change when necessary.

The question now, is it really necessary?