Justin Thomas has responded to the ball’s proposal to reduce the distance from the USGA, calling it “selfish.”
Justin Thomas has called proposals to introduce a distance-reducing ball “selfish” as well as “biased, wrong and self-centered”, and has questioned what benefit it will bring to the game.
The R&A and USGA are proposing a Model Local Rule (MLR) that gives organizers the option to require the use of balls that are tested under modified launch conditions. The MLR is designed for use in elite competition only and will have no impact in recreational golf.
Advances in golf and fitness equipment technology have seen players hitting the ball further than ever in recent years, leading to golf courses being lengthened in an effort to continue testing the best in the game. world.
The R&A and USGA said in February 2020 that they intended to “break the escalating cycle of batting distance” but conceded that it could be years before solutions were found.
Thomas responded when asked about the proposal on Wednesday.
“My reaction was disappointing and also not surprising, to be honest. I think the USGA over the years, in my opinion, is tough, but they’ve made some pretty selfish decisions,” Thomas told reporters.
“They’ve definitely done a lot of things that aren’t to improve the game, even though they say so. I’ve had conversations with some members of the USGA and I don’t understand how the game is growing. That they say in it the same sentence that ‘golf is in the best place he’s been, everything’s great, but’… And I’m like, well, there shouldn’t be a but.
“You’re trying to create a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. To me, it’s so bad for the game of golf, for an opportunity. I mean, some of the best things for me is the fact that you can play the exact same golf ball that I play I mean, that’s great.
“For an everyday amateur golfer, it’s very unique that we get to play the exact same equipment. Yes, I understand that I can have a different grind on a wedge, whatever you want to call it, but you can go buy the same golf ball as me.” game or Scottie Scheffler or whatever.
“But the USGA wants to get it to a point where that’s not the case. They want it to be, ‘Well, the pros play this way and the amateurs play this way,’ and I don’t get how that’s better for the game. “. of golf
“The amount of time, money that these manufacturers have spent trying to create the best product possible and now they’re going to tell them and us that we have to start over if the PGA Tour, PGA of America, doesn’t adopt this local rule?
“So for two of the four biggest events of the year we’re going to have to use a different ball? Try to explain to me how that’s better for the game of golf.”
Thomas didn’t know how good the proposal is for the game of golf.
“And they’re based on the top one percent of all golfers. You know what I mean? I don’t know how many of you golf here on a consistent basis, but I promise you none of you have come off the golf course and I said, you know, I’m playing it so far and straight today that golf isn’t even fun anymore, like, no, that’s not reality.
“So I know I ranted a bit, but it irritates me because it’s consistent with, I think, decisions and things that the USGA has done in the past when it comes to rules and data.
“I mean, what is that, using 127 mph clubhead speed? Like, if you can swing at 127 mph, power to you. I mean, people run faster, so what, are they just going to make the mile length longer so the fastest mile time doesn’t change? or are they going to put the nba hoop at 13 feet because people can jump higher now?
“Like, no. It’s evolution. We’re athletes now. We’re training to hit the ball further and faster and if you can do it, good for you. So yeah, as you can see, I’m clearly against it.” .”
Adding to his obvious annoyance at the proposal, Thomas suggested that the game may get to a point where players choose to do whatever they want, regardless of the USGA’s proposals.
“I just think if it’s going to get to this point, why is this group of 5-15 handicap amateurs setting the rules of golf for professional golfers? Or why are they saying we have to do something?
“So is it something in the future, if you want to change something based on your data that we think is pretty biased and wrong and self-centered about what you believe, then maybe we’ll create our own or do our own thing.
“So I don’t know where the Tour stands on that. I can’t speak for what they plan to do. But as far as I know, they haven’t necessarily been on board with it or wanting to go after it.” roll the ball back. I mean, I’m all for not letting it go any further.
“And I think this is another important thing. This would help me. Rolling the ball back will only help someone who hits it far and is a good ball hitter. It’s an advantage for me even more, I feel like, than what I have and I still am not for it.
“It’s a bigger picture. It’s about the game of golf. If I can hear some reasons that it’s better for the game of golf, so be it, but I haven’t heard any yet.”
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