The USGA and the R&A are proposing rule changes that would allow tours and tournaments the option to require elite men's players to use a golf ball that will be tested under modified launch conditions to reduce distance.
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The USGA and R&A have taken the first definitive steps towards a rollback of the golf ball. The comment period will be open until mid-August after which time, presumably, the final decision will be made.
To be clear, absolutely nothing is happening right now—and even if the proposed change is adopted, it won’t take effect until January 2026.
That said, it feels like a certainty that a rollback is coming.
What is the golf ball rollback plan?
In a nutshell, the proposal is a model Local Rule (MLR) based on a change in the Overall Distance Standard (ODS).
It’s the same approach the governing bodies took in limiting (more accurately, providing the choice to limit) driver length to 46 inches.
Reading a putt in golf is an essential skill that involves analyzing the slope, speed, and grain of the green to determine the ideal line and speed for the ball. Here are the steps to read a putt:
Walk around the green to get a good sense of the slope and any breaks in the terrain. Look for any obvious uphill or downhill slopes, as well as any bumps or ridges that could affect the ball's path.
Stand behind the ball and imagine a line from the ball to the hole. Visualize how the ball will roll along this line and any breaks it may encounter.
Look at the slope of the green to determine the direction of the break. The ball will tend to break towards the low side of the slope, so aim slightly above the hole for a downhill putt and slightly below the hole for an uphill putt.
Consider the speed of the green. A faster green will require a softer putt to prevent the ball from rolling too far past the hole, while a slower green will require a firmer putt to ensure that the ball reaches the hole.
Tuesday's rollback rollout and reactions say a lot about the people involved in the game.
This is my 4th version of a wind formula and for this one I recruited Chris Broadie, engineer with PING, for his insights and ability to model shots in windy conditions. Please note that we did not merely come up with an idea and throw it out there. We both put a fair amount of our expertise and understanding into this. I hope you take the time to watch this video and learn from the formula…
Wind Data:
Gauge the wind by deciding if it’s 5, 10, 15 or 20mph. There is no need to be overly specific. Practice with an anemometer/wind meter will help calibrate the accuracy of how you gauge the wind. I use this model from Kestrel which I purchased on Amazon. Most golfers typically overestimate wind mph, but a quick weather app check will often serve as a good guide.
Headwinds: the mph of wind will be the yards to add to distance. For example, 10mph of wind adds 10 yards to the distance the shot will play.
Tailwinds: take half the mph of wind and make it the yards of distance to subtract. For example, 10mph of wind will subtract 5 yards from the distance the shot will play.
Hitting a successful flop shot in golf requires skill and practice. Here are some general steps to follow:
Choose the right club: Generally, golfers use a wedge for a flop shot. A sand wedge or a lob wedge with a high degree of loft can work well.
Open your stance: Position your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and open your front foot towards the target.
Open your clubface: Open the clubface so that it faces the sky.
Move the ball forward in your stance: Place the ball near your front foot.
There’s never enough time in the day to play golf. Luckily, with the arrival of Daylight Savings Time, an extra hour of on-course time is not just something to look forward to but maybe more importantly, something to capitalize on.
How will you spend your extra hour?
Want to gain some club head speed? Want to try and squeeze in nine holes after work? Whatever it is, here are some products (and deals!) to consider before heading into those highly anticipated long days on the golf course.
Rypstick Training Package & RypRadar (Best For Golfers Who Want More Distance)
Ever feel like your swing is getting faster but you aren’t sure how much faster?
Scottie Scheffler ran away with it, but there was plenty else to marvel at in Florida this weekend.
Italy’s BRD Golf Grips represent one of the more fun aspects of being a chronicler for MyGolfSpy. And that’s stumbling across, quite by accident, a small company with an interesting story.
BRD Grips, headquartered in Florence, Italy, is all about la famiglia. It’s a family business but the mover, shaker and chief spokesman is Alessandro Guazzini, the 23-year-old figlio numero uno (number one son) of the Guazzini family.
“It’s a start-up, family business,” Guazzini tells MyGolfSpy. “The idea was mine and we created this all together and everybody is doing a different activity.”
And while the actual grips made by BRD are interesting, the story of how those grips came to be is just as fascinating. So, crack open some vino or pour yourself a shot or two of grappa and let’s dive in. It’s a story dall’Italia, con amore. (That’s “from Italy, with love.”)
Under The Tuscan Sun
Florence is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region and is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. Since being established by the Romans, it’s been ruled by the like of Charlemagne, the Medici family and Napoleon. Florence is famous for its art and its chianti. Da Vinci began his career there and Michelangelo’s statue of David resides there.
Just over a year ago, some golf fans might have wondered whether Scottie Scheffler would ever win on tour. These days, no one can catch him.
Scottie Scheffler ran off five straight birdies in the middle of his round, built a six-shot lead and left all the drama to everyone else on his way to a 3-under 69 to win The Players Championship by five shots.
Jorge Campillo earns his first DP World Tour win since 2020 with a 2-shot victory at the Kenya Open.
Scottie Scheffler navigated 26 holes at The Players Championship on Saturday for a 7-under 65 to build a two-shot lead over Min Woo Lee of Australia.
Here are the tee times for the final round of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
Adam Svensson hit a shot onto a hospitality tent and made birdie Saturday morning to build a two-shot lead at the Players Championship.
After missing the cut at the Players Championship, Rory McIlroy admitted his off-course duties have taken a toll on his game.
The field is competitive heading into round three at the Players Championship. Here's a look at the tee times ahead of the action.
First-round leader Chad Ramey, whose quintuple-bogey on the 17th hole cost him a three-shot lead, was among many who struggled at TPC Sawgrass in the second round, which was suspended due to weather with half the field unable to finish.
Jordan Spieth is expected to make the cut at the Players after a 'lucky break' in which his errant tee shot on No. 9 hit a fan in the knee and remained in play, allowing him to chip in for eagle.
