Rory McIlroy defends golf ball rollback: ‘No difference’ to average golfer
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Four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy has said that he does not understand the anger about the rollback.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LOS ANGELES – With the USGA (United States Golf Association) and R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club) reportedly set to announce a universal rollback of the standard golf ball, four-time Major Rory McIlroy is among those defending the governing bodies’ decision.
“I don’t understand the anger about the rollback,” the Northern Irishman, 34, wrote in a social media post on Dec 3.
“It will make no difference whatsoever to the average golfer and puts golf back on a path of sustainability.
“It will also help bring back certain skills in the pro game that have been eradicated over the past two decades.”
The rollback of the golf ball
Golf balls will be tested at a new swing speed of 125mph (201kmh), rather than the old 120mph. The balls must not surpass the distance limit of 317 yards despite this change, as Golf Digest explained.
Therefore, manufacturers of golf balls will be expected to change their design to conform with the new testing standard.
McIlroy also feels that those who do not like the new rules should not be upset with the USGA and R&A, but rather the “elite pros and club/ball manufacturers because they didn’t want bifurcation”.
He claimed the governing bodies presented bifurcation as an option – one set of rules for pros, another for the average weekend duffer.
“Elite pros and ball manufacturers think bifurcation would negatively affect their bottom lines, when in reality, the game is already bifurcated,” he said.
“You think we play the same stuff you do? They put pressure on the governing bodies to roll it back to a lesser degree for everyone.
“Bifurcation was the logical answer for everyone, but yet again in this game, money talks.”
Former world No. 1 Tiger Woods, 47, meanwhile, said that he has “always been for bifurcation”.
“I think this should have happened a long time ago,” the American star said. “I’ve been of the position if you play in a pro event or you have a ‘P’ next to your name, you should be playing a pro ball.
“If you have an ‘A’ next to your name and you’re playing an amateur event, you should use an amateur ball.” REUTERS
