The hot topic in the golf world the last couple of days has been the possibility of rolling back equipment in the wake of a USGA and R&A joint study that found an increase in driving distance across seven professional tours that amounted to a “deviation” from previous results.
The release was met with immediate pushback from others in the sport, including the PGA of America, Titleist and plenty of players.
But not many took as strong of a stance as 2016 PGA champion Jimmy Walker.
Walker took to Instagram Monday to share his thoughts on the topic, and he made it clear he thinks the USGA’s approach of sweeping change across the board, instead of just focusing on the pros, is flat-out wrong:
“Changing golf for the masses because a small few who play it a different level is wrong,” he wrote. “What I do know is the USGA does not have their fingers on the pulse of the game. Taking away a putter that helps many many people enjoy the game is wrong. Rolling back the golf ball 20% is another bad idea. Ask the normal golfer how much they would enjoy the game if they flew it 20% shorter.”
Out there in the distance, besides the setting sun, is number 7 at Pebble Beach. I’ve hit 7 iron before. It’s 107 yards. I’ve chipped a 60 degree wedge. Too many variables in an outdoor sport to grasp what is actually happening. What I do know is the USGA does not have their fingers on the pulse of the game. Taking away a putter that helps many many people enjoy the game is wrong. Rolling back the golf ball 20% is another bad idea. Ask the normal golfer how much they would enjoy the game if they flew it 20% shorter. I’m asking. Would you enjoy that? Changing golf for the masses because a small few who play it a different level is wrong. The greats and USGA have it wrong.
He also added a Twitter question along the same lines:
Poll. Not pole. Sorry. Was watching car racing documentary today.
— Jimmy Walker (@JimmyWalkerPGA) March 6, 2018
Walker’s point was echoed by 2009 U.S. Open winner Lucas Glover, who also took to Twitter to place most of the blame with this issue on the USGA:
This movement to roll the golf ball back seems very reactive by the @USGA, just like the anchoring deal. About 15 years late. The trends were there. Why now? And of course the @PGATOUR gets roped in to try and smooth it over with the players.
— Lucas Glover (@Lucas_Glover_) March 6, 2018
Oh and by the way, there’s one group that made it all legal. The @USGA approved every ball and club they are now scrutinizing. Could have stopped it years ago. Stop blaming the manufacturers for doing their jobs.
— Lucas Glover (@Lucas_Glover_) March 6, 2018
This topic isn’t going away anytime soon and will certainly take plenty more twists and turns before coming to a conclusion. It will be interesting to see if anyone else comes out as forcibly – on either side – as Walker or Glover have.
Source: Internet
