'I Don’t Want To Hinder Athleticism' - USGA CEO On Golf Ball Rollback
Speaking on the 'A New Breed of Golf' radio show, Mike Whan spoke about the recent bifurcation plans
It's no secret that the recent announcement of bifurcation golf ball rollback proposals have divided the golf world, with multiple professionals disappointed to hear the controversial plans.
One of the pros that isn't disappointed to hear the plans though is Rory McIlroy, with the four-time Major winner recently stating that he "really" likes the proposal to reduce hitting distances at elite level.
At the WGC Match Play, McIlroy hit one of the greatest drives you will ever see, with his tee shot at the 18th hole, from 375-yards, finishing just three feet from the hole. However, the incredible shot caused some discussion, with many wondering if it would have happened if the golf ball had been rolled back. Now, in a recent podcast, Mike Whan, the CEO of the United States Golf Association, has given his thoughts.
"I don't want to hinder athleticism. I don't want to hinder advancement"USGA CEO Mike Whan joined @MichaelBreed on A New Breed of Golf to talk about the USGA proposal to roll the golf ball back for elite competitions. pic.twitter.com/Rjzq5RG5zkMarch 24, 2023
Whan, who was apparently listening to SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio on his way into work on Friday, called in to the 'A New Breed of Golf' radio show to discuss the USGA's local rule proposal of rolling back the ball for elite competitors.
In the clip posted to Twitter, Whan stated that: “Nobody loves a drivable par 4 more than us. We love the game right now. I watched that last night and loved every second of Rory doing that. So, let’s just do this for example: For example, if this were to go in place in 2026, and the PGA Tour still wants that to be a drivable par 4, they’re going to take the tee box and they’re going to move it up 15 yards, and Rory’s going to do the same thing that he did last night. Now, the difference is, Rory’s kids and his kids' kids, if athleticism continues to grow, which we both know is true – I don’t want to hinder athleticism, I don’t want to hinder advancements, I want to watch people continue to grow, but I don’t want to watch a golf course have to go buy another 17 acres of land just for Rory’s kids’ kids.
“So, if we implemented this and the PGA Tour still wanted scoring to be as low or lower than ever; if college golf, Korn Ferry, anybody who implements this, they can pick up their tees and make this a complete non-issue as it relates to scoring, excitement, drivable par-4s, and the difference is, we’ve put something in place that Rory’s kids can accept and Rory’s kids’ kids can accept, as opposed to saying to 30,000 golf courses around the world, you know it and I know, but you better figure out an investment plan because it’s coming. If you want to keep up with the elite level of golf, you better find another 30 yards in the next 30 years, and if anybody argues with that, including you, Michael, you either don’t care about the history of what’s happened in distance or you’re arguing against yourself, which is athleticism, speed training, enhancements are all coming, and quite frankly they’re exciting in the game."
A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)
A photo posted by on
Wahn went on to add: “Distance is worth pursuing. It’s an advantage that’s good in the game, and the game certainly creates that as an incentive. We don’t want kids or future players to not be pursuing it; we just want to make sure that that pursuit doesn’t require golf courses all around the world to have to continue to make changes, and we’ll never build a golf course next to a city again, where there’s all kinds of golf courses that are completely landlocked for all kinds of reasons.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"Yes, we’ve all got a few golf courses in our community where you go, that’s a great ol’ track, it’s a shame we can’t play anything big there, and that’s OK. I’m not saying the sky is falling, but that list is only going to get longer in the next 20, 40 and 60 years, and we just have to decide as an industry, do we just not care about that? I’ve never been about scoring, I’m not about trying to make the game more difficult, this is not some big coup because we don’t like how many under somebody is.”
Following the show, Michael Breed, who hosts the programme, thanked Wahn for phoning in, with the CEO's comments getting a response from Tiger Woods' former coach, Hank Haney, who said: "Why does any golf (course) have to buy another 17 acres of land? I just don’t get it. Go play a different course, there’s plenty of golf courses long enough to host tournaments for pro golfers."
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
Scottie Scheffler Shakes Off 'Little Bit Of Rust' To Set New PGA Tour Record
Scottie Scheffler set a new PGA Tour record with his 28th consecutive round under par to start his bid for a hat-trick of wins in style
By Paul Higham Published
-
What I Learned From Visiting The TaylorMade Ball Plant
I flew out to Liberty, South Carolina to find out how TaylorMade makes its golf balls and what I saw blew my mind
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
Rory McIlroy Confirmed To Make Zurich Classic Debut Alongside Ryder Cup Teammate Shane Lowry
The World No.2 will join forces with his fellow Major winner in New Orleans later this season
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Defends Jay Monahan In Players Championship Press Conference: As It Happened
The 2019 champion spoke at length about what a good job the PGA Tour commissioner had done in general along with a variety of other subjects prior to the 50th edition of The Players Championship
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Rory McIlroy Has Extensive Putting Lesson Immediately After API Round One As Flat-Stick Woes Continue
The four-time Major champion has struck a bump in the road regarding his putting and spent time with coach Brad Faxon at Bay Hill in order to try and overcome the issue
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Do These Quotes In Full Swing Season 2 Explain Why Rory McIlroy Quit The PGA Tour Board?
The four-time Major winner hinted at one of the key reasons he may have opted to quit the PGA Tour board last November during the opening episodes of Full Swing Season 2
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'What The F***?' How PGA Tour Pros (Including Rory McIlroy And Justin Thomas) Reacted To Merger News During Full Swing Season 2
The Netflix cameras captured the reactions of a number of PGA Tour pros after the June 6 agreement became public which were shared in Season 2 of 'Full Swing'
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Arnold Palmer Invitational Prize Money Payout 2024
One of the most lucrative events of the season takes place at Bay Hill as Kurt Kitayama defends his title
By Mike Hall Published
-
Seminole Pro-Member Results: How Did Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, And Justin Thomas Fare?
PGA Tour member Mackenzie Hughes claimed the 'gross' title alongside partner, Frank Edwards while Erik van Rooyen and John Pinkham secured the 'net' prize at Seminole Golf Club
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Genesis Invitational Prize Money Payout 2024
Tiger Woods makes his first appearance of the year in the latest of the PGA Tour’s signature events at Riviera Country Club
By Mike Hall Published