Gary’s no to 400-yard drives

GARY PLAYER has called on golf ’s ruling bodies to implement regulations that would reduce by 50 yards the distance players can drive the ball.

Speaking on Thursday after hitting the ceremonial opening tee shot at the US Masters, Player spoke of one of his pet peeves, that, in his opinion, many classic old courses have become all but obsolete.

At the home of golf, St Andrews, for example, leading pros can now reach the green with a good drive on several of the par-four holes.

“With professional golf, we’re going to have to cut the ball back 50 yards, at least,” said Player, 82, one of only five players to have won the Grand Slam of all four Majors.

“The ball is such a big problem. We’re seeing guys hitting 400 yards a lot. Dustin Johnson hit a drive 489 yards last month (at Austin Country Club in the WGC-Match Play event).”

Player’s comments came a day after new Masters chairman Fred Ridley hinted that the Masters committee would not sit back and allow players to render the hallowed course obsolete. At Augusta National, however, the club has bought land so that it at least has the option of lengthening several holes, including the famous par-five 13th. St Andrews and some other old courses have no such option.

Talk of restricting equipment has become a hot topic recently, with the game’s ruling bodies, the United States Golf Association and the Royal & Ancient, indicating they were concerned at how far players are hitting the ball.

However, the PGA Tour and the PGA of America have both said they do not think there is a problem, comments in line with the stance of many leading equipment makers

“We will always do what’s necessary to maintain the integrity of our golf course,” Ridley said. “There’s a great quote from Bobby Jones dealing with the 13th hole. He said the decision to go for the green in two should be a momentous one. I would have to say that our observation of today’s players hitting middle and even short irons into that hole is not a momentous one.” – Reuters