Proposals that may restrict how far gamers can drive the ball at elite tournaments are “unhealthy for the sport of golf”, two-time main winner Justin Thomas says.
Common driving distances are round 300 yards on the PGA Tour however many gamers hit effectively in extra of that, that means some programs are in peril of turning into out of date.
The proposal by the Royal and Historic (R&A) and United States Golf Affiliation (USGA) would give competitors organizers the choice to require gamers to make use of balls that meet maximum-distance standards.
“You are attempting to create an answer for an issue that does not exist,” Thomas advised reporters forward of this week’s Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida.
“To me, it is simply so unhealthy for the sport of golf.”
Below the proposal, which might be efficient from 2026, balls must not exceed 320 yards (293 meters) with a club-head velocity of 127mph (204km/h).
“If you happen to can swing 127 mph, energy to you,” Thomas mentioned.
“Persons are working sooner, so … are they simply going to make the size of a mile longer in order that the quickest mile time does not change? No. It is evolution.”
Former US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, one of many longest hitters within the sport, mentioned it could be “probably the most atrocious factor that you possibly can presumably do to the sport of golf”.
“It isn’t about rolling golf balls again, it is about making golf programs harder,” DeChambeau mentioned on Tuesday forward of a LIV Golf occasion on the Gallery Golf Membership in Tucson.
“It is probably the most unimaginative, uninspiring, game-cutting factor you possibly can do. Everyone desires to see folks hit it farther.”
