Posted on Apr 6, 2023
Golf has a problem: people are hitting the ball too far
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https://www.npr.org/2023/04/06/ [login to see] /golf-ball-change-rule-augusta-tiger-woods-pros-courses
There's a storm brewing in the golf world over how far the best players are able to pound the ball. Some argue it's making the game too easy.
At its heart, the problem is technology. Clubs used to be made out of wood and the original ball was hand-stitched leather stuffed with goose feathers. It's a far cry from the modern titanium drivers and highly engineered golf balls that pierce the sky.
These modern golf balls were in their infancy when 18 holes opened at East Potomac Golf Links (EPGL) in Washington, D.C., in 1923. Engineers were barely figuring out that adding dimples to the ball gave players more control over the distance, trajectory and spin; things essential to the modern game.
People weren't hitting it a mile long like they can today, jokes Will Smith, who used to work in golf course architecture.
"Here we are 100 years later," he said, while surveying the 15th hole on the Blue course at EPGL. "We're trying to build a golf course that can challenge and be interesting to golfers who hit the ball probably on average 30, 40, 60 yards further."
There's a storm brewing in the golf world over how far the best players are able to pound the ball. Some argue it's making the game too easy.
At its heart, the problem is technology. Clubs used to be made out of wood and the original ball was hand-stitched leather stuffed with goose feathers. It's a far cry from the modern titanium drivers and highly engineered golf balls that pierce the sky.
These modern golf balls were in their infancy when 18 holes opened at East Potomac Golf Links (EPGL) in Washington, D.C., in 1923. Engineers were barely figuring out that adding dimples to the ball gave players more control over the distance, trajectory and spin; things essential to the modern game.
People weren't hitting it a mile long like they can today, jokes Will Smith, who used to work in golf course architecture.
"Here we are 100 years later," he said, while surveying the 15th hole on the Blue course at EPGL. "We're trying to build a golf course that can challenge and be interesting to golfers who hit the ball probably on average 30, 40, 60 yards further."
Golf has a problem: people are hitting the ball too far
Posted from npr.orgPosted in these groups: 
Golf
Golf
Posted 1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
...""One of golf's unifying appeals is that everyone in the game plays by the same set of rules, can play the same course with the same equipment," Titleist, one of the brands that would be affected, said in a statement. "Golf is an aspirational sport, and we believe at its very best when equipment and playing regulations are unified."
"Everybody's been playing the same golf ball for eons," Wall said. "So to now tell them that there's going to be a pro ball and an amateur ball, it's just something that doesn't compute with a sport that is steeped in history."
Golf's ruling bodies hope to finalize the new ball by 2026 — but are making it clear: this change won't stop long drives or affect the weekend golfer for now."
...""One of golf's unifying appeals is that everyone in the game plays by the same set of rules, can play the same course with the same equipment," Titleist, one of the brands that would be affected, said in a statement. "Golf is an aspirational sport, and we believe at its very best when equipment and playing regulations are unified."
"Everybody's been playing the same golf ball for eons," Wall said. "So to now tell them that there's going to be a pro ball and an amateur ball, it's just something that doesn't compute with a sport that is steeped in history."
Golf's ruling bodies hope to finalize the new ball by 2026 — but are making it clear: this change won't stop long drives or affect the weekend golfer for now."
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Gave up golf about ten years ago. Too expensive and takes up too much time to even play badly. Took up disc golf. Much more relaxing and less expensive.
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