WHAT IT ALL MEANS

There are already set in place numerous conformance specifications which restrict what equipment manufacturers can and can’t do when producing new golf clubs and balls. Now, though, the R&A and USGA are keen to make changes which will cause “a reduction in driving distance, reduction of the distance for other clubs in the bag, and lead to an enhancement in the balance between hitting distance and other skills”.

In terms of specific club and ball changes there are a number of proposed avenues.

• Reduction in the limit within the

overall distance standard The governing bodies are proposing a change to ball regulations so they can’t fly as far.

When new golf balls are released they are tested by the R&A and USGA to see if they are legal for competition play. A robot golfer is set up to swing the club at 120mph and a 10-degree launch angle for the ball.

For the ball to pass the test and be deemed conforming the overall distance must be under 317 yards with a three yard tolerance maxing out at 320 yards.

The governing bodies plan to update this to test each ball at its optimum launch conditions – anywhere between 7.5 and 15 degrees with 2,200 to 3,000rpm spin. This means all current balls would need to be retested to see if they meet the 320

yard limit under these new conditions. • Modification in the limitation of ball speed

The current regulations limit how quickly the ball can come off the clubface. The ball may not leave the clubface any faster than 255 feet-per-second. The governing bodies are looking at reducing this number. • Ball size and weight The R&A and USGA are also contemplating a change to the size and/or weight of a conforming golf ball. The current maximum golf ball weight is 45.93 grams and there is no minimum weight requirement.

The current minimum golf ball size is 42.67mm and there is no maximum size requirement. • Reduction in the performance of drivers: club length and clubhead dimensions (including volume)

The aim of the report is clear … reduce driving distances, so driver requirements are being examined. The R&A/USGA proposal would see a reduction in the maximum shaft length from 48 to 46 inches. But there could also be a reduction in clubhead size.

Clubhead specifications on spring-like effect and moment of inertia will also be looked at.

The current regulations governing COR (Coefficient of Restitution) is 0.83 meaning no more than 83 percent of energy may be transferred from the club to the ball at impact. This figure may be reduced. • Ball spin from “all areas of the course” One of the big selling points for any golf ball is less spin from the tee for greater distance, more spin and feel around the greens. By referring to ball spin from “all areas of the course” the governing bodies are perhaps going to look at minimum and maximum spin levels of balls for different areas of the game. It is important to note here that all of the aforementioned points have not been finalised by the R&A or USGA, who have described these main points and others as “areas of interest” to be further examined.