AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE R&A and the USGA have re-engaged with the golf industry on the distance Insights project, which aims to help achieve a more sustainable long-term future for golf.
The governing bodies are issuing specific areas of interest to help mitigate continuing distance increases and three proposed changes to the equipment rules to ensure their effectiveness in relation to distance limits.
The delivery of research topics related to hitting distances and golf’s sustainability was delayed in 2020 to allow the golf industry to focus on the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Martin Slumbers, the Chief Executive of The R&A, said in press release that, “We are now able to progress with the work on this critical topic and we are beginning the next phase as expeditiously as possible. “The research topics and the proposed changes we have announced will be the focus of our attention in the coming months and we look forward to gaining insights from the golf industry and fully understanding their perspectives on these key areas.”
Mike Davis, Chief Executive Officer of the USGA, said, “The research conducted through Distance Insights clearly shows that hitting distances have consistently increased through time and, if left unchecked, could threaten the long-term future of our game at every level and every golf course on which it is played. “This is the first forward step in a journey and a responsibility the USGA and The R&A share with the worldwide golf community, to ensure that golf continues to thrive for the next hundred years and beyond.
The areas of interest notice, sent this week to golf equipment manufacturers, follows the conclusions of the Distance Insights Report delivered last February.
It is the first step of the established equipment rulemaking procedures, which give the opportunity for golf’s stakeholders to provide research and perspectives on topics that might lead to equipment rules changes.
In addition, three proposals related to equipment standards were also sent to the manufacturers and have been published – two to modernise equipment testing protocols and the other to consider the adoption of a Model Local Rule that would provide flexibility for committees, if they so choose, to limit the maximum length for clubs other than putters from 48 to 46 inches.
Notice and comment periods have begun immediately to invite feedback on each of the three proposals from golf industry stakeholders. The potential use of a local rule that would specify the use of clubs and/or balls intended to result in shorter hitting distances.
This review they said would consider whether any existing specifications should be adjusted or any new specifications created to help mitigate continuing distance increases. It would not consider revising the overall specifications to produce substantial reductions in hitting distances at all levels of the sport.
Stakeholders are invited to participate in the process by sharing any data or perspectives they might have on these topics by 2nd November 2021. The governing bodies are seeking comment from equipment manufacturers on three proposed Equipment Standards changes, as follows: Proposal 1: Club length – reduction to 46 inches available as model local rule (MLR) (Original proposal delivered in 2016 and paused in 2017 due to the Distance Insights project).
Comment period ends on 4 March 2021. Proposal 2: Update on testing method for golf balls. Comment period ends on 2 August 2021.
