Proposed Ball rollback for Pros in 2026

[markTHEblake]

Seems everyones getting quite vocal about this as if its a done deal, but its only a proposal for discussion.

[3Puttpete]

Bunch of sooks. I really don’t understand why it’s a big deal for anyone other than Titleist selling balls at $80 a dozen to choppers.

[goughy]

Happy to see it rolled back for everyone. Doesn't faze me at all. How much shorter can I possibly hit it? Might even not go as far into the trees.

[Minor_Threat]

Golfers out there thinking we are using the same gear as the pros right now! haha

[Dotty]

I foresee another round of OEM and association lawyers getting rich, leaving the amateurs to pay for it, through increased equipment costs and annual subs.

Let pros and amateurs use identical* equipment, which is good for marketing.
But limit the pros to a maximum of 7 clubs, and get them away from boring 'paint by numbers' golf.

If they can reduce each tournament by 18 holes, then they can easily reduce each bag by 7 clubs.

[Ron Burgundy]

I’m shocked to see so many Acushnet employees/spokespeople/brand ambassadors/hangers on independently forming the view that changing the ball is bad for the game. Shocked I tell you.

[virge666]

Golfers out there thinking we are using the same gear as the pros right now! haha

Thats the one that got me... these idiots are deluded. Let me just grab a box of ProV left dash..

And still - what is the bitching about... wind it back to about 270 yards and the game may not take 6 god damn hours on TV. And as a bonus - all the great course dont need tees moved back into peoples backyards and front porches ... Royal Sydney anyone ?

[Kelsey86]

Wind it back for the top end, leave it as is for the recreational golfers. Most of us can't hit it anywhere close to the pros as it is now.

[3Puttpete]

Wind it back for the top end, leave it as is for the recreational golfers. Most of us can't hit it anywhere close to the pros as it is now.

That’s exactly what they’ve proposed.

[Daves]

I am pretty neutral at this time. I will read the arguments (not the bleating) as they emerge and get fleshed out. But I did just watch a short Tiger video on Kayo where he talked about his strong iron game and how he thinks that the old spinney ball helped him develop that swing. That to me seems to be a potentially big upside to a wind back, which I would presume would involve increasing the spin substantially.

[BUSHY]

I don’t feel it goes far enough and it’s almost too late. The ProV of 97 was enough to make some great courses obsolete.

From a sustainability perspective those against rolling back technology and/or specification’s clearly don’t have the best interests of the game at front of mind.

Also, judging by the ranting and raving from the precious and pampered f*ks like Justin Thomas and the positioning of their language they’ll likely ignore it anyway.

[Dcanto]

It's a pity that they didn't seek to also roll back Drivers / Fairway metals, at the same time, for Pros. I understand that the powers that be probably thought it was a bridge too far. I have my doubts that tinkering with the ball alone will make much of a difference.

[PerryGroves]

I'm applying my Gerry Harvey rule to anything that comes out of Justin Thomas's mouth, that is, its always self serving so ignore it, if either is complaining about the introduction of a tax/rule......double it

[BUSHY]

I'm applying my Gerry Harvey rule to anything that comes out of Justin Thomas's mouth, that is, its always self serving so ignore it, if either is complaining about the introduction of a tax/rule......double it

Well put.

[Matt 3 Jab]

I don’t feel it goes far enough and it’s almost too late. The ProV of 97 was enough to make some great courses obsolete.

From a sustainability perspective those against rolling back technology and/or specification’s clearly don’t have the best interests of the game at front of mind.

Also, judging by the ranting and raving from the precious and pampered f*ks like Justin Thomas and the positioning of their language they’ll likely ignore it anyway.

Agree. The early 2000's were a time of such advancements that we are trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube.

Club head size, cor expansion and the ball all combining to create a monster. Along with fitness into the game well beyond previous generations.

Plus the moving of tees back is all wasted space as it's all in the air (carry to the danger spots).

Another option would be to maximise spin of the ball across the board. Tee shots go wider and wind becomes more of a factor.

Sent from my NE2215 using Tapatalk

[benno_r]

Wonder how the market for these new "tour issue" balls will go?

[AndyP]

Is it really going to make that much difference?

[3Puttpete]

Nope

[benno_r]

Is it really going to make that much difference?

Not at all, i still won't watch it.

[AndyP]

Nope

Aren't you for the change? If it doesn't make much difference, why change?

[3Puttpete]

Aren't you for the change? If it doesn't make much difference, why change?

It’s as much about stopping the advance as it is going backwards.

[markTHEblake]

I would be in favour of limiting equipment, like shaft length, head size, or material, say rollback to Wood. For one thing will be easier for officials to police.

Sadly the rulemakers missed that boat long ago, many other sports reacted quickly to ban metal bats (cricket and baseball)

[3Puttpete]

I would be in favour of limiting equipment, like shaft length, head size, or material, say rollback to Wood. For one thing will be easier for officials to police.

Sadly the rulemakers missed that boat long ago, many other sports reacted quickly to ban metal bats (cricket and baseball)

How is that easier than the ball? They can’t control equipment now.

[markTHEblake]

How is that easier than the ball? They can’t control equipment now.

We wont be able to tell if the ball is a limited one just by looking at it. A person could fake the markings on it, but they cant hide an oversized driver.

[PerryGroves]

We wont be able to tell if the ball is a limited one just by looking at it. A person could fake the markings on it, but they cant hide an oversized driver.

Random checks on the ball being used, penalties harsh enough to discourage anyone trying.