The British R&A, which organizes the British Open, and the US Golf Association (USGA) already said a couple of years ago that they wanted to stop the continuous development of length in golf.
After talks with ball manufacturers, they have now come up with a proposal where competition organizers are given the opportunity to limit which balls may be used. A ball hit in a laboratory, with a swing speed of 127 km/h, must fly no further than 293 meters to be approved.
— Stroke length at the elite level has increased constantly over the last 20, 40, 60 years, says USGA CEO Mike Whan.
— We believe that the proposed rule will help us move forward in a way that protects the inherent qualities of the sport, while reducing the pressure to extend the courses, says R&A CEO Martin Slumbers.
On this year’s PGA Tour, world number three Rory McIlroy leads the statistics for the longest drives. The Northern Irishman averages close to 300 metres.
Ahead of the year’s first men’s major, the US Masters at Augusta National during the Easter weekend, the 13th hole has once again been extended, which is now 32 meters longer compared to last year.
The new proposed rule has been sent to golf equipment manufacturers, who can provide feedback through August 14. If the rule change is introduced, it will apply from January 2026.