Ernie Els On Distance Debate: "We Need A Serious Premium On Accuracy"
The Big Easy says that distance is here to stay so it's time to make fairways tighter and the rough longer
The Big Easy says that distance is here to stay so it's time to make fairways tighter and the rough longer
Ernie Els On Distance Debate: "We Need A Serious Premium On Accuracy"
Golf's distance debate has been ramped up a few notches over the past weeks and months after Bryson DeChambeau's body transformation.
The American hit a drive 423 yards at the Memorial Tournament last week to leave himself just 45 yards into a 470 yard par-4.
Martin Slumbers, the Chief Executive of the R&A, recently said that there will discussions of "great seriousness" about distance in the game of golf.
The answer to the supposed problem could be via equipment changes and bifurcation, where touring professionals use different equipment to amateur players.
However, four-time Major winner Ernie Els is against that and says that equipment improvements and distance are here to stay, so it's time to focus more on accuracy.
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.
"Our game is in a good place," the Big Easy wrote on social media.
"Equipment improvements and distance are here to stay. Full stop.
"We need a ‘serious’ premium on accuracy.
"Golf courses don’t need to be longer. Make the Tour rough knee high, fairways fast and firm which is fair for all players."
Related: Montgomerie clarifies comments on DeChambeau - "Something has to happen"
Two of the game's greatest players, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, are both on the side of bifurcation.
Nicklaus said at the weekend that "the golf ball is a very, very simple thing to fix and I’ve been preaching about it for 43 years."
Gary Player told Golf Monthly last year that he would like to see the ball rolled back.
“Cut the ball back 50 yards, only for the pros,” he said.
“Not for members, let the members play with anything, let them keep the long putter against their chest, don’t stop them playing, they are two different games.
“They don’t want to acknowledge that but they are.
“Just go and watch Koepka if you think you are playing the same game.”
Where do you stand on the distance debate in golf? Let us know on social media
For all the latest golf news, check the Golf Monthly website and follow our social media channels @golfmonthlymagazine on Facebook and @golfmonthly on Twitter and Instagram
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He covered the 2022 and 2025 Masters from Augusta National and was there by the 18th green to watch Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam. He has also covered five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews.