Page 19 - ARUBA TODAY

A19
SPORTS Wednesday 5 February 2020

Golf rulers says increased distance must be slowed

By DOUG FERGUSON changes in the equipment
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) rules."
— Golfers at all levels keep Among the possibilities is
hitting the ball farther, and using specific golf balls or
the game's governing bod- clubs that result in players
ies plan to do something not hitting it as far.
about it by going after the The report said equipment
one area they can control committees for the USGA
— equipment. and R&A would look into
The USGA and the R&A the option of a local rule
on Tuesday released their "that would specify use of
"Distance Insights Project," clubs and/or balls intended
which revealed a steady to result in shorter hitting dis-
increase in distance for tances."
more than 100 years — with That suggests the possibil-
average gains of about 30 ity of tour players using
yards by PGA Tour players different equipment than
in the last 25 years — and recreational players under
golf courses that keep ex- the guise of a local rule,
panding. though the report said any
"We believe this continuing golfer can choose to play
cycle of courses increas- with equipment that goes
ing in length is a cycle we shorter.
want to break," said Mike "We're still committed to
Davis, chief executive of a single set of rules," said
the USGA. Thomas Pagel, the USGA's
The report attributes the senior managing director
distance gains to mod- of governance.
ern clubs and golf balls, The governing bodies also Brooks Koepka from the U.S. hits the ball from the 17th tee during the third round of the Saudi Inter-
national at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, in Red Sea resort of King
improved athleticism and plan to review equipment Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia.
training, swing techniques testing standards to make Associated Press
geared toward hitting it sure they are effective in
longer and course condi- limiting distance. will gather feedback that "Golf is a game of skill, a how to fix any problems.
tions with tightly mowed "The intended purpose of could take up to a year, broad range of skills, and "We are not in the solution
fairways that allow for extra this review is to consider and when comments and no one skill should domi- phase," he said.
roll. whether any existing speci- research are finished, man- nate," R&A chief executive Along with how golf is
But the report made clear fications should be adjust- ufacturers would receive Martin Slumbers said from played at an elite level, the
the governing bodies are ed or any new specifica- notice of any changes. St. Andrews. USGA and R&A said they
targeting equipment as it tions should be created to That would begin a new Officials have become are concerned over dis-
seeks solutions. help mitigate the continu- round of feedback. concerned in recent years tance increases because
"We also recognize that this ing distance increases," the Even so, it was the stron- over a style known as of bigger golf course prop-
assessment should not fo- report said. "It is not cur- gest signal yet that the two "bomb and gouge," mean- erties that require more wa-
cus on player-related fac- rently intended to consider groups that set the rules ing distance is more valu- ter, and how that raises the
tors that contribute to in- revising the overall specifi- worldwide want to rein in able than accuracy. Some cost of playing.
creased distance, such as cations in a way that would distance. players no longer worry if "Our views have evolved
improved athleticism and produce substantial reduc- The USGA governs the U.S. a big tee shot lands in the as events have unfolded
swing techniques, for the tions in hitting distances at and Mexico. The R&A gov- rough because they have and new information has
desire to improve is integral all levels of the game." erns the rest of the world. shorter distances to the become available, just as
to the game and is to be Less clear is when any They published a "Joint green, often with a wedge they may evolve in the fu-
encouraged," the report changes can be expected. Statement of Principles" in in hand. ture, and we believe that it
summary said. "Accord- The USGA and R&A said 2002 that said "any further Davis said the two groups is never too late to do the
ingly, we expect the main they will publish a specific significant increases in hit- have spent two years col- right thing for the future
topic for research and as- set of research topics with- ting distances at the high- lecting and analyzing data of the game," the report
sessment to be potential in 45 days. After that, they est level are undesirable." without contemplating said.q