Controversial golf rule to be revealed before the end of the year

Plans to bring major changes to golf sparked much controversy earlier this year, and now R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers has proposed an update.

A controversial change that could shorten the distance golfers can hit could be announced before the end of the year.

Earlier this year, plans were announced to change golf balls (and tee shots in particular) to accommodate the increasing distances players can hit in the modern game. These changes will be in effect until 2026, but will only affect those who play professionally.

World stars such as Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau are just a few of the players known for their ability to hit the ball long distances. A plan announced in March sought to solve the problem by changing the golf ball, but if approved it would not be implemented for more than two years.

Earlier this year, the R&A proposed the Model Local Rule (MLR) with the hope of reducing the average shooting distance to 15m. As part of the MLR, all golf balls will be conditionally tested starting in 2026 to analyze the distances of shots made by elite players.

Now R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers has provided an update on the proposed rule changes, suggesting a decision has already been made and an announcement will be made before the end of the year. “The game didn’t like the local model rules,” Slumbers told Golf Digest. “The vision was to create an elite-level shared game. “There was a very strong push for it. The PGA Tour is very interested in this. The same goes for the PGA of America. Some players said: And our duty is to listen. But our responsibility is to the long-term future of the game. The R&A, along with the USGA, administers the game. We are responsible for a period that has lasted for hundreds of years and will continue for hundreds of years to come. “So we’re listening. We’ve decided what to do. “We are currently working on it and plan to announce it before the end of the year.” “We’ve been very clear, as has Mike Wan [CEO] USGA,” Slumbers said. There are only three options. You can share it. You change the whole game. Or do nothing. And doing nothing is not an option. We support it.”

The R&A and the United States Golf Association asked players and associations to submit comment documents on the proposed MLR changes. The deadline for submissions has passed on August 14, and it appears that a decision has been made that will fundamentally change the sport going forward.