Latest news with #ballrollback
The Guardian
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Golf ball ‘rollback' up in air with PGA of America ‘vehemently against' plans
With golf still trying to extricate itself from one civil war, another looms on the horizon. The PGA of America has reiterated its stance against the rollback of the golf ball, with its chief executive stating the organisation is 'vehemently against' plans put forward by the sport's rule-makers. The R&A and USGA announced in late 2023 that all professionals will be required to use a modified golf ball from 2028. The changes would apply to amateurs from 2030. It has long been the view of many that hitting distances for leading players have become problematic, an issue that renders many traditional courses obsolete in elite competition. There is, however, an opposing view. The PGA Tour has never supported the rollback plan. The PGA of America, a close ally of the PGA Tour, is in the same camp. While the European Tour Group has never formally expressed a view, it is likely it would stand alongside the PGA Tour. Equipment manufacturers have been firm in their opposition to the proposals. 'There's no change in our stance,' said Derek Sprague, the PGA of America's chief executive. 'We're certainly vehemently against the ball rollback. We've had great conversations with the governing bodies. We've had several constructive and collaborative meetings probably a number of times, three, four times. I feel really good about where we are with them and we're going to continue to collaborate on the proposed rollbacks.' Golf's various organisations held talks on the subject at the Players Championship in March. The PGA of America was among those asking for a delay in the rollback so research numbers can be reassessed. Modifying drivers rather than golf balls is also an area that may be explored. 'They're clear where I stand, where we stand for sure,' Sprague added. 'I talk really almost monthly now with the governing bodies and we're working to really take a deep dive on the rollback and make sure it's the right thing. 'We're really concerned about the 28 million golfers in this country. A number of people have reached out, a number of amateur golfers, recreational golfers have reached out and have the same concerns that we do. They're thanking us for pushing this issue to make sure it's well thought out, and if we can hit the pause button or change it altogether, that's our goal.' Golf could do without another high-profile dispute. The Saudi-backed LIV tour has created a schism in the men's professional game. The R&A and USGA may agree to a new timetable to keep the peace. Martin Slumbers, a key proponent of the rollback, is no longer chief executive of the R&A. 'We're representing the 31,000 [professional golfers] that talk to the 28.1 million,' said Don Rea, the PGA of America president. 'Now, whatever happens to this collaborative approach, it's going to happen over the next six to eight years. I don't know what's going to happen, but I assure you, when this is all done, we're going to stand arm in arm and say this is the decision, and this is where we're moving forward. It might change from what it is now. I don't know yet. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion 'I don't want to damage the future discussions. The relationships now are stronger than they've ever been. Let's see what happens but what I like is the spirit of the conversation now. No one's telling us. We're talking together. People are now listening, not to respond; they're listening to learn. And I think that's the most encouraging aspect of all the discussions are going right now. So we'll see what happens.' The PGA of America's immediate responsibility, the US PGA Championship, saw grounds at Quail Hollow emptied on Tuesday due to a storm. More than three inches of rain have fallen since Friday at the Charlotte venue.
CNA
13-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
PGA of America boss wants rethink on rollback rule
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina :Golf's governing bodies need to rethink plans to implement new testing procedures that would curb how far golf balls travel, PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague said on Tuesday. Sprague, speaking to reporters ahead of this week's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club, said his organisation is against the planned rollback rule announced in December 2023 and feels more discussions are needed to find a different solution. "We're certainly vehemently against the ball rollback. We've had great conversations with the governing bodies since that point," said Sprague. "We've had several constructive and collaborative meetings probably a number of times, three, four times. I feel really good about where we are with them, and we're going to continue to collaborate on the proposed rollbacks." In late 2023, the United States Golf Association and R&A announced that in an effort to reduce the effects of distance in the sport they would change how golf balls will be tested for conformity. As such, the governing bodies said that starting in 2028 the game's longest hitters can expect a reduction of 13-15 yards in drive distance via testing conditions that will increase from the current standard of 120 mph swing speed to 125 mph. Longer golf courses require additional resources such as water, the cost of renovating or moving elements like tees and bunkers continues to rise and other long-term impacts have been identified as a result of increased distance. The governing bodies believe that if the sport is to enjoy a sustainable long-term future then the aforementioned economic and environmental impacts have to be kept under control. But the rule will also affect recreational golfers - which was not expected to be the case when the R&A and USGA first unveiled their proposals - beginning in 2030 when driving distance reductions will be five yards or less. Sprague, who was named CEO of the PGA of America last December, said his organisation is working on a "deep-dive" to make sure the rollback is the right idea. "They're clear where I stand, where we stand for sure. I talk really almost monthly now with the governing bodies, and we're working to really take a deep dive on the rollback and make sure it's the right thing," said Sprague. "We're really concerned about the 28 million golfers in this country, and ... a number of people have reached out, a number of amateur golfers, recreational golfers have reached out and have the same concerns that we do. "They're thanking us for pushing this issue to make sure it's well thought out, and if we can hit the pause button or change it altogether, that's our goal."
Reuters
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
PGA of America boss wants rethink on rollback rule
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, May 13 (Reuters) - Golf's governing bodies need to rethink plans to implement new testing procedures that would curb how far golf balls travel, PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague said on Tuesday. Sprague, speaking to reporters ahead of this week's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club, said his organisation is against the planned rollback rule announced in December 2023 and feels more discussions are needed to find a different solution. "We're certainly vehemently against the ball rollback. We've had great conversations with the governing bodies since that point," said Sprague. "We've had several constructive and collaborative meetings probably a number of times, three, four times. I feel really good about where we are with them, and we're going to continue to collaborate on the proposed rollbacks." In late 2023, the United States Golf Association and R&A announced that in an effort to reduce the effects of distance in the sport they would change how golf balls will be tested for conformity. As such, the governing bodies said that starting in 2028 the game's longest hitters can expect a reduction of 13-15 yards in drive distance via testing conditions that will increase from the current standard of 120 mph swing speed to 125 mph. Longer golf courses require additional resources such as water, the cost of renovating or moving elements like tees and bunkers continues to rise and other long-term impacts have been identified as a result of increased distance. The governing bodies believe that if the sport is to enjoy a sustainable long-term future then the aforementioned economic and environmental impacts have to be kept under control. But the rule will also affect recreational golfers -- which was not expected to be the case when the R&A and USGA first unveiled their proposals -- beginning in 2030 when driving distance reductions will be five yards or less. Sprague, who was named CEO of the PGA of America last December, said his organisation is working on a "deep-dive" to make sure the rollback is the right idea. "They're clear where I stand, where we stand for sure. I talk really almost monthly now with the governing bodies, and we're working to really take a deep dive on the rollback and make sure it's the right thing," said Sprague. "We're really concerned about the 28 million golfers in this country, and ... a number of people have reached out, a number of amateur golfers, recreational golfers have reached out and have the same concerns that we do. "They're thanking us for pushing this issue to make sure it's well thought out, and if we can hit the pause button or change it altogether, that's our goal."
