Equipment
Titleist hits out at ball roll back saying it’s a ‘solution in search of a problem’
This morning, the USGA and the R&A announced a Model Local Rule (MLR) proposal that would “roll back the golf ball” for professional players.
Manufacturers and other stakeholders in golf can give feedback until Aug. 14, 2023 before the rule changes would take place in January of 2026.
On Tuesday, those manufacturers have done just that.
Titleist was the most outspoken about being opposed to the proposed changes, saying “The proposal of golf ball bifurcation is in many respects a solution in search of a problem.”
“Golf is an aspirational sport, and we believe at its very best when equipment and playing regulations are unified. Golf’s health and vibrancy are at historically high levels,” said David Maher, President and Chief Executive Officer, Acushnet Company, which owns the Titleist brand. “As we see it, existing golf ball regulations for Overall Distance and Initial Velocity are highly effective. During the past two decades, PGA Tour average course playing length has increased by less than 100 yards and scoring average has remained virtually flat. Average PGA Tour clubhead speed of 114.6 mph in 2022 was well below the current 120 mph and proposed 127 mph testing conditions. The proposal of golf ball bifurcation is in many respects a solution in search of a problem.”
Callaway responded with the following: “We are studying the information and proposals provided. We have no further comment at this time.
While TaylorMade and Srixon have yet to comment about the proposed changes.
Bridgestone offered up a bit more, saying that they were concerned the potential changes could create “confusion”.
“Golf is enjoying a significant growth phase and is more popular than ever. We are concerned that the proposed rule changes could confuse and dampen the enthusiasm of millions of new participants to our game. We are pleased that the proposed changes do not appear to be aimed at recreational players.”
There’s no doubt that the topic will continue to be heavily debated between now and August 14th.
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.
“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.
From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms
Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80
Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105
Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4 5-wood: Ping G440...
Eric Cole WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: PXG Lightning Tour Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft:...
Si Woo Kim WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (8.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X Mini driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Mini...
Wyndham Clark’s winning WITB: 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
MhtLion
Mar 15, 2023 at 2:56 pm
The golf balls bring the most amount of money into the industry. Other than the green fees, golf balls is the number one expenditure of the golfers. And, the number one marketing expenditure of the manufactures. Clearly, the golf ball money is one of the most significant in the industry. With such a rule change, why would anyone pay $55 for a box of balls if those balls are different, most definitely different, from the balls your favorite pros use? This rule change will hurt the industry. Think carefully, PGA. Why are you trying to hurt the industry? For what?? For your peanut sized ego???
sandtrap
Mar 15, 2023 at 5:02 am
I think the pga tour should just do what tennis, NFL, NBA and Baseball do and just have a standard ball for all players. This way they can put whatever limits they need to on it for tournament play and all players are on a more level playing field. Amateur players will still play the manufacturer’s ball that they think is best for them.
Jonas
Mar 15, 2023 at 3:41 am
Dumb. Make the rough longer – plant more trees. Ever hear of Winged Foot? There’s a reason why the scoring there isn’t low during the open. No matter how far the guys hit it, the fairways aren’t 100 yards wide. Forget the equipment – make the courses more difficult to score on (that doesn’t mean make them longer). End of story.
Mike
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:22 pm
So golf w/b the only sport w/ 2 sets of rules. The usga should have the insight to address this 20 years ago. Now that pro v1 a tour pro plays won’t be the one you play. (The ball manufacturers will love this!). And I’ll have to buy different balls to play in an “elite amateur event”? Laughable!
Jon
Mar 15, 2023 at 8:48 am
Football has at least 3 sets of rules: NFL, college, and high school as does basketball and baseball.