04 June 2023 , 20:23
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The golf ball Tiger Woods used to win the Masters in 1997 would reportedly fail the new regulations lawmakers are proposing.
The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA) have recently unveiled plans to alter the specifications of golf balls after undertaking a six-year investigation. Both associations and equipment companies, including Titleist, Callaway, and Bridgestone, reportedly presented to the PGA Tour Player Advisory Council during a two-hour meeting at Muirfield Village earlier this week.
According to the Golf Channel, R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers, USGA CEO Mike Whan, and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan were present alongside several Tour executives and players - plus OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) reps. The most eye-catching revelation surrounded the 15-time major winner's maiden triumph at Augusta.
Barstool Sports reported that Titleist, the American golf equipment brand, claimed that their Professional 90 ball that Woods used in 1997 would now not pass the new regulations. It is albeit added that governing bodies had differing views.
The presentations as a whole were reportedly not exactly well received by the PGA Tour player present. It is thought that the players would not support any potential rollback should one be adopted.
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Plenty of prominent golfers have already made their opposition known to the proposals, with LIV Golf rebel Bryson DeChambeau perhaps unsurprisingly one of the more vociferous. "It’s a great handicap for us guys that have worked really hard to learn how to hit it farther,” he explained.
Tiger Woods won the 1997 Masters with a Professional 90 golf ball (Augusta National/Getty Images)
A happy Tiger Woods celebrates his first Masters win (AFP via Getty Images)“Look, if they do it in a way where it only affects the top end, I see the rationale. But I think it’s the most atrocious thing that you could possibly do to the game of golf.
The American continued: "It’s not about rolling golf balls back; it’s about making golf courses more difficult. I think it’s the most unimaginative, uninspiring, game-cutting thing you could do."
Justin Thomas is another notable opponent. "My reaction was disappointed and also not surprised, to be honest," he said. “I think the USGA over the years has, in my eyes, it’s harsh, but made some pretty selfish decisions. They definitely, in my mind, have done a lot of things that aren’t for the betterment of the game."
Speaking previously about the proposed changes, The R&A CEO Slumbers justified them. “This is an important issue for golf and one which needs to be addressed if the sport is to retain its unique challenge and appeal,” he said.
“Hitting distances at the elite level of the game have consistently increased over the past 20, 40, and 60 years. It's been two decades since we last revisited our testing standards for ball distances. Predictable, continued increases will become a significant issue for the next generation if not addressed soon.”
USGA chief CEO Mike Whan also believes the move will keep the game's long-term integrity intact. Whether players will warm to the idea over the coming weeks and months remains to be seen.