blanket distance restriction would not require a bifurcation of the rules between recreational players and elite players. We should be thankful for both of those “gifts,” but they do not compensate for stealing Christmas by fixing a problem that doesn’t really exist. Golf is in such a good place right now. The numbers of golfers have been steadily growing since 2020. Does it make sense to pour vinegar in the eggnog by creating another controversy and ruling against the desires of the overwhelming number of golfers. The heart of the USGA’s argument is the ball goes farther when hit by pros and elite amateurs, thus courses must be built longer to accommodate them. Since most courses don’t hold professional events, worrying about a few extra yards is a smoke screen. Only a tiny percentage of courses ever hold a PGA Tour event, much less a major championship. The biggest factor accounting for the length being added to courses is most likely a reflection of the course owner’s ego, “my course is longer than your course.” Think about that the next time you hear a statement from the USGA justifying disruption of our game. American Golf Journal
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