NBC Sports Group will deliver nearly 140 hours of television coverage for The 145th Open at Royal Troon, marking Golf Channel's first-ever telecast of a men's major championship. The unprecedented coverage represents the most live hours ever dedicated to a major championship.
Takomo is providing free replacements for its Ignis D1 driver after discovering conformity issues with R&A and USGA standards. The company will ship new conforming versions to affected customers this summer.
Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley strongly supports the proposed golf ball rollback to reduce elite player distances by 15-20 yards, while the PGA Tour and manufacturers push for delays until 2030. The divide threatens golf's traditional rule uniformity across major championships.
Three Masters champions Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson voiced strong support for rolling back golf ball distance at Augusta National. Player called the current driving distance issue a "tragedy" and advocated for a 60-yard reduction in the professional game.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley voiced strong support for governing bodies' efforts to reduce elite driving distances, calling it essential for golf's integrity. Ridley emphasized that failure is not an option and noted amateur Jackson Herrington is already carrying drives 325 yards over fairway bunkers during Masters practice rounds.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley voiced strong support for governing bodies' efforts to reduce driving distances in elite golf, citing the need to preserve the game's integrity. Ridley noted that amateur Jackson Herrington carried drives 325 yards over fairway bunkers during Masters practice rounds, highlighting the challenge facing courses.
Golf analyst Brandel Chamblee believes the USGA's proposed ball roll-back won't adequately address distance concerns in professional golf. He argues that only game bifurcation or tournament-specific balls can truly slow down elite players.
Golf's governing bodies USGA and R&A will implement mandatory distance-reducing golf balls for professional tournaments starting in 2028. The rollback affects only elite competition, while recreational golfers can continue using current high-performance balls indefinitely.
Exclusive testing reveals the impact of the coming golf ball rollback rule set for 2030. While high-speed players face notable distance losses, recreational golfers may barely notice the change, contradicting fears of a return to shorter-hitting equipment.
Legendary golfer Gary Player demanded the USGA ban deep-grooved irons and trampoline-face drivers in 2005, arguing modern equipment was 'ruining the game.' His concerns about technology diminishing skill requirements have proven prescient as golf prepares for equipment rollbacks.