Tour players come out against "rollback" of golf equipment

Major champions Jimmy Walker and Lucas Glover have criticised the suggestion of a “rollback” of the golf ball and/or golf equipment after the USGA and R&A’s third annual report made it clear they are concerned at the distance the modern ball travels.

GOLF BALL ROLLBACK: THE LATEST

The report caused rabid debate in the golf world, with the PGA of America and PGA Tour Commissioner pushing back against the rhetoric.

Titleist, who dominate the ball market, were also critical of the report – Walker and Glover are both sponsored by the brand.

Walker and Glover both lent on social media to get their message across.

 

Out there in the distance, besides the setting sun, is number 7 at Pebble Beach. I’ve hit 7 iron before. It’s 107 yards. I’ve chipped a 60 degree wedge. Too many variables in an outdoor sport to grasp what is actually happening. What I do know is the USGA does not have their fingers on the pulse of the game. Taking away a putter that helps many many people enjoy the game is wrong. Rolling back the golf ball 20% is another bad idea. Ask the normal golfer how much they would enjoy the game if they flew it 20% shorter. I’m asking. Would you enjoy that? Changing golf for the masses because a small few who play it a different level is wrong. The greats and USGA have it wrong.

A post shared by Jimmy Walker (@jimmywalkerpga) on Mar 5, 2018 at 7:02pm PST

Let’s take a nationwide pole of men and woman and ask them how much they would enjoy their best drives being rolled back 20% on the fly.

— Jimmy Walker (@JimmyWalkerPGA) March 6, 2018

This movement to roll the golf ball back seems very reactive by the @USGA, just like the anchoring deal. About 15 years late. The trends were there. Why now? And of course the @PGATOUR gets roped in to try and smooth it over with the players.

— Lucas Glover (@Lucas_Glover_) March 6, 2018