Rory McIlroy has defended the decision to reduce the distance golf balls can travel, arguing it will not affect the average golfer and will make the sport more sustainable, despite opposition from other professionals like Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas.
At Glance
‣ Rory McIlroy has defended the decision to rollback technology in golf balls, stating it will not affect the average golfer and will bring back certain skills in the professional game.
‣ The USGA and R&A are expected to announce a rule change to roll-back distance for golf balls used by both professionals and amateurs, in response to the sport’s ever-increasing modern-driving distances.
‣ McIlroy argues that the frustration towards the USGA and R&A over the decision is misdirected and that bifurcation was the logical answer for everyone.
‣ The rule change will see the golf ball rolled back in professional competitions only from 2026, with a two-year period of bifurcation rules from 2028, and from 2030, everyone using a conforming ball will experience a small-percentage reduction in distance.
I don’t understand the anger about the golf ball roll back. It will make no difference whatsoever to the average golfer and puts golf back on a path of sustainability. It will also help bring back certain skills in the pro game that have been eradicated over the past 2 decades.…
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory)
Rory McIlroy has come out swinging in defense of the rumored decision to roll back technology in golf balls. He’s puzzled by the outrage, saying it “will make no difference whatsoever to the average golfer.”
Golf Digest recently ran a story. It suggested that the USGA and R&A are on the verge of announcing a rule change. This change would dial back the distance for golf balls used by both pros and amateurs.
Why? Well, it’s a response to the sport’s ever-growing modern-driving distances. Plus, there’s a growing fear that some courses will soon be too small to host professional tournaments.
Many of McIlroy’s peers, like Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas, are against the change. But the Northern Irishman? He’s always been in favor. He’s even gone on record saying he’d have preferred amateurs to remain unaffected.
Recently, McIlroy had a bit of a rant on X – the platform formerly known as Twitter. He’s 34 now, and he’s convinced that slightly reducing the distance a ball travels will actually improve the sport. And it won’t really impact “the average golfer.”
McIlroy’s words? “I don’t understand the anger about the golf ball roll back. It will make no difference whatsoever to the average golfer and puts golf back on a path of sustainability.” He also believes it’ll help resurrect certain skills in the pro game that have been wiped out over the past 20 years.
Back in March 2023, the USGA and R&A first proposed their intention to introduce a Model Local Rule. This rule would see the golf ball rolled back in professional competitions only from 2026. Many amateurs, professionals, and Tours alike pushed back on bifurcation. They claimed it was ‘not in the best interest of the game’ to do so.
After six months of feedback on the plans, there’s set to be a two-year period of bifurcation rules from 2028. But from 2030, everyone who tees it up and uses a conforming ball will suffer a small-percentage reduction in distance.
The longest average hitter on the PGA Tour in 2023, McIlroy continued his rant. He said the frustration felt towards both the USGA and R&A over the reported decision is misdirected. And bifurcation “was the logical answer for everyone.”
McIlroy’s take? “The people who are upset about this decision shouldn’t be mad at the governing bodies, they should be mad at elite pros and club/ball manufacturers because they didn’t want bifurcation.” He believes that the governing bodies presented everyone with that option earlier this year. But elite pros and ball manufacturers think bifurcation would negatively affect their bottom lines.
McIlroy’s impassioned speech came just weeks after he stepped down from the PGA Tour Policy Board. He wanted to “focus on his game and his family.” The Northern Irishman also recently beat Tiger Woods to first prize and $15million in the PGA Tour’s controversial Player Impact Program.
