The governing bodies in charge of golf are considering equipment changes to make the game harder, at least for the top professionals. In recent years, players, in part due to technological developments, and the use of advanced materials, have been able to hit the ball increasingly far.
Bryson DeChambeau, for example, routinely hits his drives for more than 200 yards. He is by no means the only one on the professional tours to achieve such distances.
The rule makers are now considering a number of changes to try to regulate the game, including reducing the sweet spot on most drivers in size. This will help ensure that the longest drives could only be achieved by those with the most accurate swings.
Other changes that might be implemented are dampening, or depressing, the spring-like metal club faces responsible for propelling the ball off the tee. Maximum shaft lengths have already been reduced from 48 to 46 inches for all clubs apart from putters.
One possibility is that there may a reduction in the permitted size of club heads. An inevitable side effect of players being able to hit the ball increasingly far is some historic courses, like the Old Course at St Andrews, the “home of golf” are becoming just too easy for some of the modern pros, and this, in itself, is having a detrimental impact on the sport.
If the current trend continues, the new course will need to continually expand in size. Not only are they more difficult and expensive to maintain, but also that the environment impact also needs to be considered.
Campaigners argue that golf courses are not only a waste of space, but also damages nature through the use of pesticides that destroy natural habitats. Large quantities of water is required to keep them irrigated.
There is no quick fix to the problem. Stakeholders have until September to provide feedback on the various proposals. It may take a number of years before concrete changes are implemented.