The test would not change for the golf balls used for recreational play, but the balls used under this new proposed test for elite competition could result in a distance decrease of at least 15-20 metres, perhaps more.
The USGA and R&A’s announcement of a proposal to roll back the ball for elite competitions beginning in 2026 drew an array of responses, ranging from the interested to the aggravated, including manufacturers, tours and other golf organisations.
Golf’s powers-that-be made a very big announcement today about one of the most politically-charged topics in the golf industry: The question of whether its time to roll back the golf ball.
The R&A and USGA will be proposing a new golf ball testing standard for elite competition that would roll back performance by 20 yards (18 metres) or more.
The genesis of the switch is that Woods was getting some questions from his team about the Tour B X and wanted to be able to speak intelligently about the differences.
The undisputed stars of the upcoming auction are these golf balls, particularly a pair from the mid-19th century that are tied to two of the premier figures in the early history of the golf ball.