Our fitness expert and personal trainer Shawn O’Neil on the upcoming changes to the golf ball and why the clock is ticking for players at every level to mitigate the upcoming reduction in driving distance
Discussion on the topic of separating the professional and amateur games based on the golf balls available to players has settled down a great deal. While the game’s governing bodies have announced their plans to limit driving distance across the board – through updated regulations for golf balls – I don’t think this is going to be good for amateur golfers.
In my opinion, that decision was based on a problem created by the top 0.001% of male golfers – who have made it unsustainable, impractical and too expensive to continue to expand and extend golf courses to host their tournaments. In time, we’ll all be playing golf balls which are shorter than the ones we play today.
Why is this relevant now? For many amateurs, the ball isn’t going far enough. With the proposed changes to the golf ball, players could lose around 10 yards in driving distance – though this will be less if you don’t hit it very far and more if you’re a big hitter. If you have read my previous columns you will know that adding 20 yards off the tee is worth around four shots off your handicap. So, losing 10 yards will – in theory – see your handicap increase by two shots.
While the changes won’t interest some golfers, for those who don’t want to lose yardage off the tee there’s good news – you’ve got five years to do something about it!
The rolled back ball comes into play for professionals in 2028, and 2030 for amateurs. That might seem a long way in the future, but if you think back to 2020 and some of the things we were doing out on the golf course, it’s not that far away.
I have written about how to add more distance in previous columns – starting with the essential first step of getting assessed by a professional to address your individual needs effectively and safely.
By making a start now and building lasting habits you will be in the best place possible in 2030. There are many benefits to training and being fitter, more mobile and stronger outside of golf too – and you will undoubtedly enjoy your golf – at whatever level you play at – for longer by improving physically.
