Tip-toeing over the line in the sand

So the figures are out at last, and “the spike” we were promised amounts to three yards.

That doesn’t sound like much. But the year-on increase in driving distance from the R&A and USGA’S collation of figures from the professional tours is, apparently, largely consistent across the seven circuits, which it hasn’t ever been before.

And secondly, the figures dating from 2003 indicated what the governing bodies described as the “slow creep” of a 0.2 yards increase a year.

The mathematically minded of you will note that 0.2 yards over 15 seasons is three yards. So driving distance in 2017 increased by the exact same margin in one season as it had between 2003 and 2016.

That’s got their attention, it seems. Only I didn’t quite believe the figures from 2003 to 2016 and I don’t quite believe the figures now. It looks all a bit too convenient for my cynical eye.

Besides, we were hearing on the QT from July last year that the R&A (and given they don’t do anything unilaterally, the USGA too) were gearing up for a reckoning on driving distance.

The slow creep didn’t suddenly break into a sprint. It’s been a steadily increasing pace since even before 2003.

Anyway the debate has moved on from the mere discussion on whether players are hitting it much longer – they clearly have and have been doing so for some considerable time, not just since the “spike” of 2017.

The discussion now, as acknowledged even by those who oppose restrictions like ball manufacturers Titleist, is whether the ball going these huge distances is a bad thing or not.

The R&A and USGA think it is a bad thing. Actually, they always have. The 2002 “Joint Statement of Principles” says that the ball going excessive distances was “undesirable”.

The only issue for the governing bodies was proof, and now they appear to have found it, even though many of us saw it lying clearly in plain sight.

The newest joint statement from the governing bodies released yesterday revealing the extent of the spike is couched in the usual conciliatory language.

They want “a thoughtful conversation” with “all stakeholders in an open and inclusive process.”

There is “no fixed timetable” (eyes rolling) but “we move forward together in the best interests of golf at all levels”.

Yes, we have a nice cup of tea and a chat after which everyone holds hands to go skipping gaily into the distance.

The R&A and USGA are – somewhat desperately – not spoiling for a fight.

But while they promote themselves, no doubt sincerely, as open-minded on the way forward, it’s just as clear that those opposed to any form of reined in ball or official bifurcation (see below) of equipment between the elite and “regular” forms of the game are not going to be convinced.

The big tsars of the equipment manufacturers and those who exist to sell their wares haven’t got anything to share in this “thoughtful conversation” because they don’t see a problem in the first place.

They are spoiling for the fight that the governing bodies seek to avoid. So while the R&A and USGA go away to compile their comprehensive analysis of why the current distance levels have breached their “line in the sand”, the opposition will be setting up the barricades. No doubt, legal ones.

In this environment, while realising that it is not in the nature of the governing bodies to do so, I’d rather they just took the lead. Impose whatever conclusion they arrive at and call bluffs.

Don’t tip-toe over the line in the sand when the manufacturers leapt over it years ago.

Interesting to note within the distance report that distance is going down in the club game while it soars in the elite version.

This would appear to “ease” the case for bifurcation – a different piece of equipment (probably the ball) for the elite and the rest of us – a policy long opposed by the governing bodies.

But these figures indicate it already exists, and in truth it always has. The kit available to the elite is nothing like you and I wield in the club medal, and hasn’t been for decades.

Party like it’s 2008

While we’re all wistfully recalling what it was like before everyone hit cut-down wedges into 430 yard holes, it’s like the last decade hadn’t happened.

Phil Mickelson wins the WGC Mexico (great event by the way and NOBODY misses Doral ... well maybe one man) and Tiger Woods has shown signs of real life.

What happened to the massive advances by the pre-millennials of golf?

Tiger is in the Valspar Invitational this week – and I certainly wouldn’t rule him out winning the thing – as well as declaring for the Arnold Palmer event, and both the old men are seeing their odds for the Masters plummet.

Just when we were considering their aching bones as potential honorary starters at Augusta, they have pretensions of winning the Jacket?

It’s going to be fun. But I think the Masters is where the young guns put these old stagers back in their place.

Yes, we have a nice cup of tea and a chat before everyone holds hands to go skipping gaily into the distance

Picture: Getty Images. Rory Mcilroy leads the European Tour in driving distance in 2018 at an average of 317 yards. Tony Finau leads the PGA Tour at 323 yards.