Scottie Scheffler vents frustration at golf's distance problem on eve of The Open
World number one Scottie Scheffler and overwhelming Open Championship favourite took aim at the golf-ball rollback ahead of the final major of the year.
World number one Scottie Scheffler took aim at golf's distance problem ahead of The Open.
Scheffler raised the issue of the golf ball rollback in his pre-tournament press conference at Royal Troon on Tuesday.
Golf's rule makers wrestled with the issue of distance for years before finally deciding something must be done.
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From 2028, it has been decided by the R&A and USGA that the professionals will be using golf balls that won't fly as far.
Tour players such as Scheffler can expect to see a reduction of driver distance between 13-15 yards.
"I get frustrated sometimes when the solution to distance is just making holes further and further," Scheffler said when asked for his view on Troon's short eighth hole.
The hole, named the Postage Stamp, measures at just 120 yards but players are expected to rack up some big scores.
Bryson DeChambeau said he believes there is the potential for some 'diabolical' scenes whereas Tiger Woods said the hole could not be more simple.
Hilariously, Woods opined: "Green good, miss green bad."
Scheffler continued: "No. 8 is a good little way to almost step back in time and control your ball a bit more.
"You don't have to make a par-three 230 yards to make it a great hole. It can be 120 yards.
"I think holes like 12 at Augusta and 17 at Sawgrass, the best par-threes in the world are short par-threes. They're not overly long par-threes."
He added: "It leaves a lot of opportunity for you to hit a shot.
"If I don't hit the green on No. 8, it's mostly likely going to be a bogey unless you're in the front of the green.
"If you miss it in the right bunker or the left bunker -- if you hit it in the left bunker, you're going to be glad to be making a bogey because it's probably going to plug, and you'll be hitting up-and-down for your bogey.
"I think great little short holes like that are fun.
"I think it's an underrated skill for guys nowadays to be able to control your ball, and I think it's something we need to encourage in our game, not just building golf courses longer and longer.
"You can make a short hole with a small green, and it's pretty dang tough."
"I thought it was a bit silly"
Bunker play will also be key this week.
Scheffler said he spent a good amount of time in his practice rounds trying to work them out.
"One of the things I liked that the R&A changed this year from last year was the bunkering," he said.
"Last year I thought it was a bit silly how they flattened out each bunker.
"The bunkers are still a penalty enough when the ball isn't up against the lip.
"It was a bit of luck whether or not your ball would bury into the face because you have a flat bunker and a wall that's going to go right into it."
He added: "As long as you build a little bit of slope into it, you can allow guys the opportunity to get out of the bunker.
"If you're on the greens, it allows for opportunity for guys to either take on the lip or play smart and play sideways.
"It leaves more opportunity for great shots and risk and reward around the greens and the fairways because you have an opportunity to hit a great shot or just play it safe and go out sideways.
"I love how they changed how they rake the bunkers this year with the more traditional sloping coming off the walls."
Scheffler has been handed a late afternoon tee time on Thursday with Jordan Spieth and Cameron Young.
The American trio will tee off at 15.10pm BST.
GolfMagic will be bringing you live text updates from the final men's major of the year.
