The Golf Ball Rollback is Stupid

[todd]

The USGA is out of touch with amateur golfers, and don't give a poop about making the game more fun. They are more interested in applying a rule to the world because .02% of golfers can drive is 400 yards. Screw them. That is all.

[GoBills808]

It will not affect us in the slightest

[Augie]

2 hours ago, todd said:

The USGA is out of touch with amateur golfers, and don't give a poop about making the game more fun. They are more interested in applying a rule to the world because .02% of golfers can drive is 400 yards. Screw them. That is all.

 

Not a big golfer, but now you made me curious. What is this all about? 

[Draconator]

1 hour ago, Augie said:

 

Not a big golfer, but now you made me curious. What is this all about? 

In I think 2025, Golf Ball manufactures have to follow a new set of guidelines to limit drive distance off the tee. USGA is saying from 20 yards shorter for PGA Tour Players, to 5 yards shorter for weekend golfers, but some pros testing out the new golf balls are saying their drives are 40 to 50 yards shorter. 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

almost ready for the senior tees.  That's ok with me.  I use soft balls.  keep it in the short grass.  they've lightened up some rules this year.  u can ground the club in a  trap, replace and lift a plugged ball....hell, we have organized mutually agreed upon cheating rules anyway.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 hour ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

 they've lightened up some rules this year.  u can ground the club in a  trap, replace and lift a plugged ball....hell, we have organized mutually agreed upon cheating rules anyway.

Are they OK yet with every ball is able to be teed up, no matter where and when it landed? 🤔

Easier on the turf, easier on the golfer.
😁

[Joe Ferguson forever]

11 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Are they OK yet with every ball is able to be teed up, no matter where and when it landed? 🤔

Easier on the turf, easier on the golfer.
😁

cheats in my groups:  no more than a double, 1 mulligan per 18, move the ball one clublegth in same cut but not bunkers, if everyone agrees to give a putt, it's good.  and last resort, sometime one or 2 guys say to stop scoring for them.

[frostbitmic]

So when I hit the ball it'll go into the nearest body of water 5 yards shorter... cool

 

What I'd really like to see is for them to turn up the gravity coming from the cup... It would be very beneficial for me.

[todd]

I think it will matter. It impacts every club, not just the driver. I play 2-3x per week during the summer and keep an accurate handicap. Hitting a 6 iron into the green instead of an 8 is a big deal. Can't spin it as much with a 6 iron, can't hold firm greens. All because pros hit it so darn long. 

 

They could have done the same thing by making the pros hit a different ball than amateurs. Or reduce the driver club head size limit for pros. Or grow the fairway an extra 1/4 inch so it doesn't roll out as much. It's stupid. I'm 55 and can't hit it as far as I used to already, but I hit it too far to use forward tees. And not only that, forward tees were designed for REALLY short hitters in most cases. I've played the gold tees from our course before. Every hole is driver-gap wedge. Now it will be driver-pitching wedge. Not fun. So stupid.

[Joe Ferguson forever]

30 minutes ago, todd said:

I think it will matter. It impacts every club, not just the driver. I play 2-3x per week during the summer and keep an accurate handicap. Hitting a 6 iron into the green instead of an 8 is a big deal. Can't spin it as much with a 6 iron, can't hold firm greens. All because pros hit it so darn long. 

 

They could have done the same thing by making the pros hit a different ball than amateurs. Or reduce the driver club head size limit for pros. Or grow the fairway an extra 1/4 inch so it doesn't roll out as much. It's stupid. I'm 55 and can't hit it as far as I used to already, but I hit it too far to use forward tees. And not only that, forward tees were designed for REALLY short hitters in most cases. I've played the gold tees from our course before. Every hole is driver-gap wedge. Now it will be driver-pitching wedge. Not fun. So stupid.

that's not typical Of my experience.  my course is 6000from the golds.  slope rating 71.  also the angles are sometimes more difficult from the golds.  you score or don't score around the greens or at least I do.

Edited December 7, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

7 hours ago, todd said:

The USGA is out of touch with amateur golfers, and don't give a poop about making the game more fun. They are more interested in applying a rule to the world because .02% of golfers can drive is 400 yards. Screw them. That is all.

I am infuriated by this. How out of touch can they be? If they want to change it for the pros, fine. But amateurs?

I play a ton of golf and it is hard. I can’t be losing 10 yards on my shots. 
 

By the way, I really can’t believe that there are so many amateurs out there that are too long on their courses. I have rarely played with a scratch golfer who even plays off the back tees, let alone that one who plays off the backs and out hits the course? 

[Simon]

1 hour ago, todd said:

I think it will matter. It impacts every club, not just the driver. I play 2-3x per week during the summer and keep an accurate handicap. Hitting a 6 iron into the green instead of an 8 is a big deal. Can't spin it as much with a 6 iron, can't hold firm greens. All because pros hit it so darn long. 

 

They could have done the same thing by making the pros hit a different ball than amateurs. Or reduce the driver club head size limit for pros. Or grow the fairway an extra 1/4 inch so it doesn't roll out as much. It's stupid. I'm 55 and can't hit it as far as I used to already, but I hit it too far to use forward tees. And not only that, forward tees were designed for REALLY short hitters in most cases. I've played the gold tees from our course before. Every hole is driver-gap wedge. Now it will be driver-pitching wedge. Not fun. So stupid.

 

Buy yourself 10,000 golf balls real quick, OG. 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

1 hour ago, Simon said:

 

Buy yourself 10,000 golf balls real quick, OG. 

45  cents a ball.  I know a guy......btw, I've not played it but I'd bet there are very few commenting that can break 90 from the golds at a course like oak hill.. my point?  this  is not going to affect the avg player's scores much if any.  u still can't buy a game....wedges and putters and skill with them matter much more than drivers for score.  top flites still fly far but those rocks suck for score and touch.

Edited December 7, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

Wondering if this will affect the usage of the “foot wedge”?

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

51 minutes ago, AlCowlingsTaxiService said:

Wondering if this will affect the usage of the “foot wedge”?

"Newer 'dead' balls lead to amateurs resorting to steel toed golf shoes.  Film at 11."

*
Then again, the less lively balls can be the catch all excuse for hooks, slices, 'worm burners', and those especially embarrassing shots that go backwards.

Edited December 7, 2023 by Ridgewaycynic2013

[Draconator]

12 hours ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Are they OK yet with every ball is able to be teed up, no matter where and when it landed? 🤔

Easier on the turf, easier on the golfer.
😁

My wife's golf instructor is a Senior LPGA Touring Pro. She told my wife, 100 yards out? tee it up. You're not playing a pro event and no one would care. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 minute ago, Draconator said:

My wife's golf instructor is a Senior LPGA Touring Pro. She told my wife, 100 yards out? tee it up. You're not playing a pro event and no one would care. 

Saves on one of those divots that are attributed to vandals on motorcycles, instead of the amateur with a wood. 😁

[shrader]

I’m willing to listen on this rule. If I’m 5 yards closer to the edge of the woods, I might have an easier time punching out of there. 

[todd]

18 hours ago, Simon said:

 

Buy yourself 10,000 golf balls real quick, OG. 

I actually did that when they changed the groove rule. Loved those Titleist wedges, so I kept buying new old stock pretty cheap for years. Sold the ones I didn’t use last summer and this summer. Did pretty well! 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

anybody want a set of TM RSi1 irons.  left handed, stiff shafts 6-AW.  $125.  Excellent condition.  just got cobra LTD irons and woods on a big sale.  I bought 1000 balls for the club range.  reimbursed thru dues....$450, nice collection of balls.  The  big hitters are actually a prob for our range.  They hit thru it and lose balls...

Edited December 7, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Joe Ferguson forever]

8 hours ago, Draconator said:

My wife's golf instructor is a Senior LPGA Touring Pro. She told my wife, 100 yards out? tee it up. You're not playing a pro event and no one would care. 

broken (1/2) tee for that shot.  it's really only a psych thing imo.  should be taking a healthy divot from 100 yards....

Edited December 7, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

1 hour ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

broken (1/2) tee for that shot.  it's really only a psych thing imo.  should be taking a healthy divot from 100 yards....

I agree— one of the fun things about golf is figuring out ground contact! 

 

but I don’t know about taking a divot— if she doesn’t have good club head speed, I would just say pick it clean? 

[Augie]

37 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I agree— one of the fun things about golf is figuring out ground contact! 

 

but I don’t know about taking a divot— if she doesn’t have good club head speed, I would just say pick it clean? 

 

I like to start my divot about 6 inches behind the ball, then have it roll over the top of the ball like a bad toupee, with the ball remaining intact in it’s original resting place. Not everyone can do that!   😋

 

I had lessons as a kid, and some of that muscle memory stays with you. Our kids had tennis and golf lessons early, as I did. It makes it MUCH easier to pick back up in your adulthood. My most active golf year was probably 15-20 rounds and I got to where I expected to break 90 each time out. I didn’t always succeed, but that was about the norm. I can LOOK like I can golf for several shots in a row, and then I do the ridiculous. Bogey golf can skyrocket into something very different when you shoot yourself in the foot like that. 

 

Rotator cuff requires surgery to get back to being able to compete in tennis, so maybe golf should be the replacement activity. I’m retired with plenty of time. 

 

If you have young kids, I highly recommend golf and tennis lessons, enough to get the basics. It helped me in life to be able to get involved in outings where I didn’t stick out so badly it was a problem. 

 

 

.

Edited December 7, 2023 by Augie

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

9 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I like to start my divot about 6 inches behind the ball, then have it roll over the top of the ball like a bad toupee, with the ball remaining intact in it’s original resting place. Not everyone can do that!   😋

 

I had lessons as a kid, and some of that muscle memory stays with you. Our kids had tennis and golf lessons early, as I did. It makes it MUCH easier to pick back up in your adulthood. My most active golf year was probably 15-20 rounds and I got to where I expected to break 90 each time out. I didn’t always succeed, but that was about the norm. I can LOOK like I can golf for several shots in a row, and then I do the ridiculous. Bogey golf can skyrocket into something very different when you shoot yourself in the foot like that. 

 

Rotator cuff requires surgery to get back to being able to compete in tennis, so maybe golf should be the replacement activity. I’m retired with plenty of time. 

 

If you have young kids, I highly recommend golf sand tennis lessons, enough to get the basics. It helped me in life to be able to get involved in outings where I didn’t stick out so badly it was a problem. 

 

 

.

I am starting my kids on golf and tennis young. As I think you know, I was more of a tennis player as a kid, but mostly

self-taught. That meant my ceiling was as a decent high school doubles player.

Hoping my kids can get that early formal training and be better at ground strokes than me.

 

same with golf. My youngest ones are in elementary school And we have been to the range a bunch. Going to have them do some clinics now. I came to golf pretty late (mid 30s), and wish I had done it as a kid.

 

By the way, you should play more golf! My buddy’s dad has this saying: “beware of the injured golfer.” That rotator cuff won’t slow you down— probably will make you swing better and smoother. 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

the new tech makes a diff.  my new clubs are much more accurate.  higher ball flight but shorter distance for me.  btw, a 5 iron loft is now what a 6 iron was 20 years ago.  I'll take accuracy and precision over an extra 10 or even 15 yds every time

Edited December 7, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

2 hours ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

The  big hitters are actually a prob for our range.  They hit thru it and lose balls...

And what about the range  balls?...

[Joe Ferguson forever]

2 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

And what about the range  balls?...

WHY did he do that?  S&M?

Edited December 7, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 minute ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

WHY did he do that?  S&M?

Couldn't tell you, I was hoping to find a gif of a golfer hitting so long that his nads drop to his knees.  No such luck.  The ball boy was as close as I could get.  Maybe the players were displeased with the retrieval time of net serves? 🤔

[Joe Ferguson forever]

8 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Couldn't tell you, I was hoping to find a gif of a golfer hitting so long that his nads drop to his knees.  No such luck.  The ball boy was as close as I could get.  Maybe the players were displeased with the retrieval time of net serves? 🤔

https://tenor.com/view/long-drive-long-drive-championship-golf-channel-golf-channel-gifs-gif-11281474

[Augie]

4 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I am starting my kids on golf and tennis young. As I think you know, I was more of a tennis player as a kid, but mostly

self-taught. That meant my ceiling was as a decent high school doubles player.

Hoping my kids can get that early formal training and be better at ground strokes than me.

 

same with golf. My youngest ones are in elementary school And we have been to the range a bunch. Going to have them do some clinics now. I came to golf pretty late (mid 30s), and wish I had done it as a kid.

 

By the way, you should play more golf! My buddy’s dad has this saying: “beware of the injured golfer.” That rotator cuff won’t slow you down— probably will make you swing better and smoother. 

 

We want to get our 10 year old grandson clubs, but we honestly are not sure if he’s a lefty or a righty, STILL! We should take him to the range, get left and right junior clubs and see what he does. 

Edited December 8, 2023 by Augie

[Joe Ferguson forever]

48 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

We want to get out 10 year old grandson clubs, but we honestly are not sure if he’s a lefty or a righty, STILL! We should take him to the range, get left and right junior clubs and see what he does. 

if he's an actual lefty, leave him be that  I'm so left side dominant i can barely swing Righty...I just tried with a yardstick.  have him try.  see which move he prefers.  no club needed....

Edited December 7, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Steve O]

On 12/6/2023 at 4:38 PM, Joe Ferguson forever said:

almost ready for the senior tees.  That's ok with me.  I use soft balls.  keep it in the short grass.  they've lightened up some rules this year.  u can ground the club in a  trap, replace and lift a plugged ball....hell, we have organized mutually agreed upon cheating rules anyway.

You can ground the club in a penalty area now (formerly know as a hazard,) however you still can't ground a club in a sand trap aka bunker. It's fine to do it in your mutually agreed upon soft rules, but don't do it in official events like an invitational tournament. You can however remove loose impediments in bunkers, which wasn't allowed prior to 2019.

[Steve O]

1 hour ago, Augie said:

 

We want to get out 10 year old grandson clubs, but we honestly are not sure if he’s a lefty or a righty, STILL! We should take him to the range, get left and right junior clubs and see what he does. 

Fun fact, Phil Mickelson aka Lefty is right handed, the only thing he does left handed is golf. Growing up his father and he would face each other, Phil would mirror what his father was doing. 

[GoBills808]

On 12/6/2023 at 1:45 PM, todd said:

I think it will matter. It impacts every club, not just the driver. I play 2-3x per week during the summer and keep an accurate handicap. Hitting a 6 iron into the green instead of an 8 is a big deal. Can't spin it as much with a 6 iron, can't hold firm greens. All because pros hit it so darn long. 

 

They could have done the same thing by making the pros hit a different ball than amateurs. Or reduce the driver club head size limit for pros. Or grow the fairway an extra 1/4 inch so it doesn't roll out as much. It's stupid. I'm 55 and can't hit it as far as I used to already, but I hit it too far to use forward tees. And not only that, forward tees were designed for REALLY short hitters in most cases. I've played the gold tees from our course before. Every hole is driver-gap wedge. Now it will be driver-pitching wedge. Not fun. So stupid.

The difference between most folks stock 6 and 8iron is like 20-25yards...that's basically just moving up one tee box

 

and if you're really that concerned over losing 5 yards or so just tee up in front of the box, nobody will care. Courses might even accommodate this when the rule kicks in

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

1 hour ago, GoBills808 said:

The difference between most folks stock 6 and 8iron is like 20-25yards...that's basically just moving up one tee box

 

and if you're really that concerned over losing 5 yards or so just tee up in front of the box, nobody will care. Courses might even accommodate this when the rule kicks in

for a high handicapper like me, it’s not so simple. I can drive the ball like 250-275, but my iron play is up and down, and so in the fairways is where I really need the distance. 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

30 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

for a high handicapper like me, it’s not so simple. I can drive the ball like 250-275, but my iron play is up and down, and so in the fairways is where I really need the distance. 

This is  telling  250-275 aint chopped liver.  my driver is 225-250.  shot 87 last round out.  Made a few putts....

Edited December 8, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

48 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

This is  telling  250-275 aint chopped liver.  my driver is 225-250.  shot 87 last round out.  Made a few putts....

I have long arms and so I think in my driver swing, I am really able to whip through it. Doesn’t help me as much in irons, where I don’t hit it nearly as far.
 

I basically shoot low 90s out there. It’s frustrating because I feel like my game is solid all the way around, but I can never put it together in a round. A few blow-up holes and it’s over. 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

7 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I have long arms and so I think in my driver swing, I am really able to whip through it. Doesn’t help me as much in irons, where I don’t hit it nearly as far.
 

I basically shoot low 90s out there. It’s frustrating because I feel like my game is solid all the way around, but I can never put it together in a round. A few blow-up holes and it’s over. 

get everyone to agree to the double bogey rule.....I didn't need it the other day but often do need it.  having a bad hole?....put the ball in your pocket, take a double and smile as u move on to the next hole!  also, based on some comments, hit down on irons.  if you're topping them, move the ball back in your stance.

 

btw, here's the new grounding rule:  clear as sandy mud

https://golf.com/news/2019-rules-changes-to-know-bunker/

Edited December 8, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

1 hour ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

get everyone to agree to the double bogey rule.....I didn't need it the other day but often do need it.  having a bad hole?....put the ball in your pocket, take a double and smile as u move on to the next hole!  also, based on some comments, hit down on irons.  if you're topping them, move the ball back in your stance.

 

btw, here's the new grounding rule:  clear as sandy mud

https://golf.com/news/2019-rules-changes-to-know-bunker/

yeah, that double bogey rule is a good rule. I will have to use it.  
 

I actually hit my irons pure— just not as much distance as I would like. I am going to try to start taking more of a divot next season— I tend to pick the ball clean and I suspect that I lose yardage that way. 

[Steve O]

9 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I have long arms and so I think in my driver swing, I am really able to whip through it. Doesn’t help me as much in irons, where I don’t hit it nearly as far.
 

I basically shoot low 90s out there. It’s frustrating because I feel like my game is solid all the way around, but I can never put it together in a round. A few blow-up holes and it’s over. 

If you're driving 250+ you should be a single digit handicap. I drive 200 mid summer when there's roll, usually 180-190. On a 6,000 yard course I still hope to break 90 when I stand on the first tee, though admittedly I'm disappointed more often than not on the 18th tee when it's obvious 90 isn't in play. Watch a few youtube videos, if that doesn't work take a lesson.