[Photo: Laurence Mouton]
The imminent approach of the ball rollback may have just gotten a little less imminent.
In a notice to manufacturers, the R&A and USGA announced that they are considering revising the timeline for rolling back how far the golf ball is going for the strongest of hitters. Originally, the rule that changes the test for golf balls to set back elite distances by 15 or more metres was scheduled to go into effect in 2028. That year, the “rollback” balls would be the rule for elite competition, most likely the PGA Tour level and similar. The phased approach would then apply that rule to all golfers beginning two years later, in 2030.
RELATED: Our Dummies Guide to the golf ball rollback
This latest announcement indicates that golf’s ruling bodies are considering comments to do away with that interim period, implementing the rollback rule for both elite golfers and average golfers starting in 2030 instead.
“The governing bodies adopted this phased approach in response to contributions made during the decision-making process,” the announcement reads. “The later implementation for the recreational game was intended to allow manufacturers more time to develop their full product lines, and to provide an opportunity for retailers and golfers to exhaust any existing stock.
“Since that announcement, the R&A and USGA have been progressing plans to support the implementation of this decision, including engaging with stakeholders on a range of issues. During this engagement, several stakeholders have expressed concerns over the potential challenges that could come from the two-phase approach to implementation. Based on this feedback, the R&A and USGA are interested in soliciting views on a possible change from the phased implementation to a single date across the whole game effective from January 2030.” The notice can be viewed here.
Comments are due to the R&A and USGA by February 15, suggesting that the ruling bodies are going to make a fairly expedited decision. That would seem appropriate, given the development timeline for premium tour-played golf balls is often two or more years. But even considering a change didn’t seem to be on the table as recently as seven months ago. Speaking at the US Open last June, USGA chief executive Mike Whan seemed unwavering.
“As an industry we have to be able to make small adjustments that are in the best interest of the game long-term, that we all know would be better 40 years from now if we were smart enough to make them today,” Whan said in June. “We’ll make those. Not everybody will like it. It’ll be high anxiety until we get there. But nobody is going to die. The game is going to be great. If I’m being honest with you, we’re full speed ahead on what we’ve announced. Those decisions have been made.”
Asked at the time if the two governing bodies have a Plan B, Whan countered, “We’ve announced our plan.”
The R&A and USGA announced a change to the golf ball conformance test in December 2023. The new test would raise the swing speed for testing golf balls from 120 to 125mph, a change that was projected to lead to about 15 metres less distance at the current elite level. That test came after three years of Notice and Comment discussions and more than a decade of dedicated study of both elite and average golfer driving distances. All balls that would be deemed conforming would have to meet the new standard beginning in late 2027 and would be required for use in elite competition beginning in 2028. Recreational golfers would not have to abide by the standard until 2030, and presumably would be free to use balls conforming to the old standard for a two-year phase-in period. It was that window of what in effect would be two sets of rules and the ensuing confusion that caused concern in some quarters, particularly for those on the front lines with regular golfers. Such was the sentiment of former PGA of America president John Lindert in 2024.
“From my perspective, I have said this kind of half-heartedly and half-jokingly, but as somebody that owns a golf shop, I’m probably going to sell a boatload of golf balls in 2028, and my members are going to store them until 2036, and they’re going to continue to play them,” said Lindert, the director of golf at the Country Club of Lansing in Michigan. “I know my membership. I know what they will do.”
Former PGA of America chief executive Derek Sprague said the two-year phased in approach was putting the burden of implementing the rule on club pros. “Club professionals will have to be checking golf balls on the first tee, the second tee and the third tee,” he said.
Dan Murphy, president and chief executive of Bridgestone Golf, said his company was informed of the potential delay in the timeline. “Our position remains the same, we will continue to make the best golf balls in the world, regardless of the rules. We appreciate clarity on when or if these new rules will go into effect.”
Several other ball manufacturers contacted by Golf Digest did not offer immediate comment on the proposed timeline change.
Meanwhile, delaying the rule’s effect on elite golfers by two years might weaken its effect. Driving distance on the PGA Tour in 2025 reached its highest mark ever at 302.8 yards (276.9 metres), almost nine yards farther than it was in 2019. Changing even more dramatically is how much average swing speed is improving. Average swing speed on the PGA Tour was 116.5 miles per hour in 2025, that’s about 2.5 miles per hour faster than it was five years earlier. More than 40 players on the PGA Tour were averaging more than 120 miles per hour off the tee.
“We’re frustrated as players and as an industry because the lead times these equipment companies have been given to figure it out… by the time we play these balls in 2028, there’s not going to be a difference,” Rory McIlroy told the Fried Egg podcast last year. “Or, the difference is going to be so marginal that it’s not going to make a difference.”
