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One of the game’s longest-running issues, the driving distance debate, is back in the news following its governing bodies confirming golf ball bifurcation plans to counter the issue.
While the game’s present-day big hitters have ensured the subject is never far from the conversation, the debate has been rumbling for decades, with 18-time Major winner Jack Nicklaus even raising it as far back as the 1970s.
But what are the opinions of the leading figures in the game? Unsurprisingly, there is a division between those who feel a rollback of equipment is long overdue and others who feel the subject is overblown.
In Favor Of Change…
Jack Nicklaus
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Nicklaus first raised the issue of increasing distances in the 1970s, and the ensuing decades have not changed his opinion that a rollback is necessary. In 2022, he said: “For all concerned, for the ball to come back to bring a lot of things back into perspective is very important for the game of golf. I think something will get done, it’s just how long will it take for them to research the problem?”
Gary Player
Gary Player has an idea on how to solve the issue
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The nine-time Major winner made a bold prediction in 2022, saying: “If we don’t do something about the ball, it’ll go 500 yards”.
As to what to do about it, Player has a suggestion: “Cut the ball back 50 yards, only for the pros. Not for members, let the members play with anything, let them keep the long putter against their chest, don’t stop them playing, they are two different games. They don’t want to acknowledge that but they are. Just go and watch Koepka if you think you are playing the same game.”
Paul McGinley
Paul McGinley is in favor of bifurcation
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Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup-winning captain has spoken out in favor of bifurcation, where pros use different equipment to amateurs, saying: “Personally I would hold the top level where it is now, absolutely make it stringent so they can’t go any further in terms of technology but at the same time I would open up the doors for amateurs to use different, and the technology companies to create different, new ways, new golf clubs and new balls that will help the amateur play a game that is incredibly difficult.”
Sir Nick Faldo
Sir Nick Faldo suggests playing without tees
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In response to a tongue-in-cheek suggestion from Scott Hend to play without tees, the six-time Major winner wrote on Twitter:…
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