USGA/R&A release new distance report

[nevets88]

USGA press release:

Quote

The 2015 and 2016 editions of the distance report presented the increases in driving distance since 2003 as a slow creep of around 0.2 yards per year. The 2017 data show a deviation from this trend. The average distance gain across the seven worldwide tours was more than 3 yards since 2016.

As noted in previous annual reports, variability in driving distance of 4 or more yards from season to season on any one tour is not uncommon. However, this level of increase across so many tours in a single season is unusual and concerning, and requires closer inspection and monitoring to fully understand the causes and effects.

http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/articles/2018/03/2017-distance-report.html

2017 Report

Quote

The two governing bodies released their annual Distance Report on Monday morning. The governing bodies began releasing their Distance Report in 2015, but previous iterations failed to ring any alarm bells. The 2017 report appears to be different, as distance gains deviated well above previous fluctuations.

The ramped-up efforts to understand the effects of increased distance come after a year in which the seven professional tours studied – including the PGA Tour, LPGA, European Tour, PGA Tour Champions and Web.com Tour – saw an average increase in driving distance of more than 3 yards.

No specific plans to curtail distance were announced, but the 2017 report stated that “any further significant increases in hitting distances at the highest level are undesirable.”

http://golfweek.com/2018/03/05/ra-usga-driving-distance-study-shows-3-yard-increase-2016/

[colin007]

Is this possibly due to changes in AoA? Now in recent years everyone's pretty much on board with understanding that bringing their launch angle and AoA closer to each other can max out distance?

[GrandStranded]

Lately, everything I read in forums and magazines regarding distance in golf brings me to the same conclusion. Once the ruling bodies raise "a concern" over something happening "at the games highest level", it is the amateur who is about to get screwed. The groove and anchoring rulings did nothing to "grow the game", in fact they made it harder and less enjoyable for those who played a longe putter (I never did), legally, for decades. Now they're concerned about distance, clubs(maybe), balls (definitely). Which leads me to ask, when was the last time you played with someone who was concerned about their game because they hit the ball too far. I believe the time is fast approaching when Bifurcation (a word only heard in golf it seems) is needed. Let the Pro Tours worry about what their problems are, and let the games of average golfers be governed with some common sense.

[Groucho Valentine]

12 minutes ago, GrandStranded said:

Lately, everything I read in forums and magazines regarding distance in golf brings me to the same conclusion. Once the ruling bodies raise "a concern" over something happening "at the games highest level", it is the amateur who is about to get screwed. The groove and anchoring rulings did nothing to "grow the game", in fact they made it harder and less enjoyable for those who played a longe putter (I never did), legally, for decades. Now they're concerned about distance, clubs(maybe), balls (definitely). Which leads me to ask, when was the last time you played with someone who was concerned about their game because they hit the ball too far. I believe the time is fast approaching when Bifurcation (a word only heard in golf it seems) is needed. Let the Pro Tours worry about what their problems are, and let the games of average golfers be governed with some common sense.

HEAR, HEAR! 

[boogielicious]

3 hours ago, nevets88 said:

USGA press release:

http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/articles/2018/03/2017-distance-report.html

2017 Report

http://golfweek.com/2018/03/05/ra-usga-driving-distance-study-shows-3-yard-increase-2016/

Ball flies further on warmer days. I'm not sure if this correlates, but last year was the 2nd hottest on record.

[saevel25]

4 hours ago, nevets88 said:

No specific plans to curtail distance were announced, but the 2017 report stated that “any further significant increases in hitting distances at the highest level are undesirable"

Bunch of old guys hating

---

Look at the chart broken up by the Tours. Is the Web dot com the Long Drive Tour?

It would be interesting if they could plot the average age of the players on each tour by year. I wonder if there are a lot more younger golfers now?

 

[cutchemist42]

Just based off forum/IG browsing, it does seem like like a lot of Web guys are young and come from the Trackman era where some are number obsessed. Youd think with that much distance, more of them should be on the Tour? What happens to the PGA measurr if those guys start graduating soon?

[nevets88]

Quote

Overall, the amateurs at the test sites picked up an average 8 yards of distance off the tee, going from 200 yards in 1996 to 208 yards in 2017.

The report also showed that golfers used their drivers more often in 2017 than years past. For example, players with a handicap of 21 or higher used their drivers 54 percent of the time in 1996, and that figure increased to 92.5 percent of the time in 2017.

http://golfweek.com/2018/03/05/distance-report-also-shows-amateurs-driving-ball-farther/

[mvmac]

Response from Titleist.

Quote

Distance Study 2017: Equipment Regulations Remain Effective 

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. (March 5, 2018) – As a proud stakeholder in the game, Acushnet Company is deeply committed to golf’s future health. Following today's publication of the 2017 Distance Report by the USGA and The R&A, it is important to ensure this topic is considered with balance and through a wide lens. 

"As a leader in the golf equipment industry, our team is conditioned to evaluate data to best understand contributing factors and root causes," said David Maher, CEO and President of Acushnet Company. "It is with this intent that we analyzed the 2017 Distance Report, and our findings continue to support the fact that equipment regulations have been effective. 

“A closer look into the numbers in the Report underscores the complexity of making any meaningful year-to-year comparisons,” continued Maher. “There were several contributing variables in 2017, including course selection and set-up, agronomical conditions and weather, which need to be considered when assessing the data." 

Below is a sampling of key findings from our research that impacted distance results in 2017: 

• At the 33 PGA Tour events conducted at the same venue in 2016 and 2017, where data was collected, the average driving distance increased +0.5 yards. At the eight events held at new venues in 2017, the average distance increased +8.0 yards. 

• Of these 33 PGA Tour events conducted at the same venue, 15 tournaments had a decline in average driving distance with one event flat to prior year. This highlights the year to year variability in distance. 

• The major championships conducted at new venues represented one-third of the total average driving distance gained in 2017: U.S. Open (Erin Hills vs. Oakmont +20.4 yards), Open Championship (Royal Birkdale vs. Royal Troon +8.1 yards) and PGA Championship (Quail Hollow vs. Baltusrol +7.0 yards). 
  
• The 2017 Masters average driving distance declined -0.4 yards. 

• Of the 25 Web.com graduates in 2016, 24 had shorter average driving distance on the 2017 PGA Tour, with an average decrease of -6.6 yards.  For the years 2015 to 2017, 74 of the 75 graduates had shorter average driving distance on the PGA Tour the following year. This can be attributed to course set-up. 

“In any given year there are variables that impact distance, and any movement as in 2017 is not suddenly indicative of a harmful trend,” said Maher. “We continue to believe equipment innovation has benefitted golfers at all levels, and our analysis of the 2017 Distance Report affirms that the USGA and The R&A have effective regulations in place to ensure the game’s health and sustainability. We look forward to continued dialogue with the governing bodies and stakeholders as we seek to position the great game of golf for future success.” 

 

And Brandel.

 

 

[onthehunt526]

Half a damn yard.

I read the My Golf Spy article, and their response was something about the ball going a whole 7 feet farther than previous years.

In 2005, Scott Hend led the PGA Tour in driving distance with an average of 318.9 yards. The average was 288.4 yards.

In 2017, Rory McIlroy led the Tour in driving distance with an average of 317.2 yards. The median was 292.0 yards (I think the average was 293 ish)

With all of the ball stabilization regulations that have occurred, (Max COR, Indoor-Ball Testing (ALC Phase I), Pendulum Test/ALC Phase II, Club Length/460 cc rule, Maximum MOI, and the New Groove Rules).  Since the  Max MOI rule was implemented, the TOUR average has moved, what? 5 yards in 12 years?

The ball is not to blame... In reality I believe there are more pros that hit it further now than ever before... Want proof... In 2005 exactly 26 players averaged 300 yards or more of the tee. In 2017 43 averaged 300 yards or more. Keep in mind, in 2005, most of the ball/club regulations were in place to stabilize this "spike".

More pros are doing golf specific workouts and strength and speed training, and frankly they can hit the crap out of it. The USGA/R&A Report just shows that the average drives are not going up that much. If the USGA/R&A want to become the like the No Fun League, I'll be driving it 200-210 and probably quitting the game, because it's no fun. At this rate if they rollback, we're back to either surlyn covered 2-piece balls or balata-covered 3-piece balls, and those would be your choices everyone.

 

Edited March 6, 2018 by onthehunt526
typos

[NCGolfer]

So the PGA Tour has gained 0.44 yards per year since 2003.  That actually doesn't sound bad.  I really don't believe things are so dire and worrisome as some may believe.

I'd actually attribute a good portion of the gains to science....of the swing and ballfight.  Trackman (which was started back in 2002) and other technology has allowed for players to optimize their equipment and swings.  Sure, equipment and balls have been tweaked in the past years but with the data these guys are collecting they are looking at small changes in their equipment to hit those perfect numbers.

I'm not saying the pros don't want to or aren't trying to hit it longer.  They absolutely are but I just don't see it causing irreparable harm to the game.

[Patch]

22 hours ago, GrandStranded said:

Lately, everything I read in forums and magazines regarding distance in golf brings me to the same conclusion. Once the ruling bodies raise "a concern" over something happening "at the games highest level", it is the amateur who is about to get screwed. The groove and anchoring rulings did nothing to "grow the game", in fact they made it harder and less enjoyable for those who played a longe putter (I never did), legally, for decades. Now they're concerned about distance, clubs(maybe), balls (definitely). Which leads me to ask, when was the last time you played with someone who was concerned about their game because they hit the ball too far. I believe the time is fast approaching when Bifurcation (a word only heard in golf it seems) is needed. Let the Pro Tours worry about what their problems are, and let the games of average golfers be governed with some common sense.

Well said. 

[mvmac]

PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua released a statement.

http://www.golf.com/equipment/2018/03/05/pga-america-ceo-pete-bevacqua-we-are-highly-skeptical-regarding-rolling-back-golf-ball?utm_campaign=si.golf&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&xid=socialflow_facebook_golf+

Quote

"Having just received the full report last evening, it is difficult for us at the PGA of America to provide meaningful comments on its content at this time. However, given the recent industry discussions and media reports regarding a potential roll back of the golf ball for all players and/or a segment of elite players, our Board of Directors has discussed this topic at length. Based on the information we have seen, we are highly skeptical that rolling back the golf ball in whole or part will be in the best interests of the sport and our collective efforts to grow the game. Our nearly 29,000 PGA Professionals would be at the forefront of implementing this potential roll back, so we will be polling them this week to fully understand their perspective, especially on what it would mean for the vast majority of the golfers they serve. We look forward to offering our candid feedback to the USGA and R&A once we have collected that data and reviewed the full report."

 

[Zeph]

Has the courses gotten longer during the mentioned period?

[The Recreational Golfer]

I'm going to my Men's Club annual meeting tonight. I'll ask if anyone is upset about how far the golf ball is going and let you know tomorrow what they said.

[Papa Steve 55]

Are they cutting the fairways shorter? I think we blame the supers going forward!

[deekay]

How are these stats to be interpreted?

Driver technology is focusing more and more on maximizing distance on off-center strikes. This would surely shift all players' average driving distance up closer to their maximum distance, but without necessarily increasing that maximum all that much?

On the other hand, if these figures represent the average of every player's longest drives, would they not be achieved under special circumstances, e.g. down hill and down wind? So those longest drives are not the norm. And would they not be cancelled out when those same players then have to play back up hill and against the wind on adjacent holes?

To my mind its not (yet) about maximum driving distances, it's more about the score. When tournaments are being won with scores of -25 to -35 then I would say courses are being overwhelmed. But in the -10 to -20 range I think it's fine: plenty of birdies and a few eagles to keep the excitement up, and also to give an opportunity for someone to "come from behind" and catch the leader.

 

[onthehunt526]

On 3/5/2018 at 5:36 PM, nevets88 said:

http://golfweek.com/2018/03/05/distance-report-also-shows-amateurs-driving-ball-farther/

4% in 20 years... With all of the advancements in ball and club technology?

And we need to roll back the ball? No. So if ams are averaging 208 yards... And we roll the ball back 20%. We're going to have 166 yard drives, what is this make golf harder?

I propose that we move every PGA Tour event to the Cayman Islands and they have to use the Cayman ball (which conforms to the Rules of Golf). It just travels only half the distance. And the courses are only a quarter the size. (1/2 length holes, fairways, half as wide, greens half the size, the holes are still 4.25 inches though, Cayman balls are a pain to putt though)