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Golf governing bodies and tours to study distance limit options / Photo: Hunter Martin - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
Golf governing bodies and tours to study distance limit options
The US Golf Association, R&A and the PGA and DP World tours will examine options to limit driving distance among elite players, they said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
The statement said the groups will jointly "review, test and implement options that have a meaningful impact on distance at the elite level."
They noted that feedback from the golf industry on golf balls being tested on the current overall distance standard (ODS) supported a delay in implementation to 2030 and as a result no changes will be made until January 2030.
The ODS was agreed upon as a measure to test golf balls.
Talks among the tours and governing bodies found distances continue to increase and there was "a concern by the tours that the updated ODS testing approach may not achieve the desired results."
The statement said the groups had a "collective willingness to reconsider alternative approaches that may more materially impact the pace of future distance increases, while minimizing disruption to the overall golf market."
"Given these developments, The R&A and USGA will take the appropriate amount of time to assess a range of possible options and determine the path forward."
The groups will take time "to review, test and implement options that have a meaningful impact on distance at the elite level.
"These efforts will ensure the elite game does not become too one-dimensional while continuing to emphasize the importance of shotmaking."
"The USGA, The R&A, PGA TOUR and DP World Tour are confident in the path forward and committed to working collaboratively, and with other key stakeholders, to ensure the long-term health of the game."
N.Zimmermann--BlnAP
