The Bogeyman Dan O’Neill

Maybe you can put the genie back in the bottle, at least you can try.

That’s what the USGA and R&A are trying to do with a new proposal. A few weeks ago golf’s governing bodies announced a proposal to create a Model Local Rule (MLR), where PGA Tour caliber players must use a different golf ball than that which is used by the recreational golfer – i.e, the ol’ Bogeyman. If adopted, the stipulation will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026.

To review, we’re taking two different balls, one sport. And that spells bifurcation. Naturally, the response to the proposal has been equally bifurcated. One of the responders - TaylorMade, which manufactures and sells balls - released a statement opposing the move to regulate the distance achieving properties of the professional ball.

“We believe a large part of golf’s appeal is this underlying sense of: “I can do that, too,” the statement said. “And using the same equipment as the pros gives us a more accurate feel for how talented these players are.

“Most of us will never know what it’s like to play in Madison Square Garden, throw a touchdown in the Super Bowl, or score the game-winning goal in a World Cup final, but we can go to St. Andrews, walk across the Swilcan Bridge and for a moment feel what it’s like to be a professional. Walk in their shoes, play the same courses, and use the same equipment. It’s all part of why we love this sport.”

Others, who are directly impacted, have a different take. Last month, Rory McIlroy demonstrated the dynamics involved. Competing in the WGCDell Technologies Match Play event in Austin, Tex, McIlroy closed out his match against Denny McCarthy with authority, knocking his tee ball to less than four feet from the flag on the 18th hole. That would be the

Now, one might think a player capable of such a remarkable shot would be against a rule that strives to make it impossible, and one would be wrong. McIlroy, among the longest hitters in captivity, understands the dynamics and how they are affecting the game.

“For elite level play, I really like (the rule). I really do,” McIlroy said. “I’m glad in this new proposal that they haven’t touched the recreational golfer. I know that’s a really unpopular opinion amongst my peers, but I think it’s going to help identify who the best players are a bit easier.”

Another of golf’s sluggers, Bryson DeChambeau, disagrees. “If you could say I’m the complete opposite times 1,000, that’s what I would be,” DeChambeau told the LIV Golf website. “I think it’s the most atrocious thing that you could possibly do to the game of golf. It’s not about rolling golf balls back – it’s about making golf courses more difficult.”

Yes, for the pros. And maybe it’s about making golf more relevant to its original designs, more interesting, more cost-efficient and more sustainable. In this scenario, more is not less, more is more.

DeChambeau, who overpowered Winged Foot to win the 2020 U.S. Open, thinks it’s about making golf more difficult. The USGA, according to its press release, suggests it’s about “the core principles that a broad and balanced set of playing skills should remain the primary determinant of success in golf.”

For the number nerds and stat geeks among us, the MLR commands that golf balls used in elite competition - i.e. PGA Tour events, USGA championships, etc - must not exceed the current Overall Distance Standard (ODS) limit of 317 yards (plus 3 yards tolerance) at modified Actual Launch Conditions (ALC) with a clubhead speed of 127 mph and based on a calibration setup of 11 degrees and 37 revolutions per second (2,220 rpm) as part of this proposal.

Try saying that three times fast!

In layman’s terms, the USGA is going to take the golf ball, put it in Mr. Peabody’s time machine, along with Sherman, and send them back a few years. Last season, 99 PGA Tour players exceeded the 300-yard marker, while the average driving distance on the PGA Tour is right at 300 yards, give or take a roll or two. That is, the average PGA Tour player hits his drive 85 yards farther than the average male golfer. In 1980, when such statistics were first kept, the average driving distance on the PGA Tour was just more than 257 yards.

The TaylorMade statement notwithstanding, all things are not equal. A while back, research done by Trackman showed the average male golfer has a swing speed of 93.4 miles per hour and the average PGA Tour player was at 114.2. So, Joe Blow might tee it up at St. Andrews, walk across the Swilcan Bridge and carry the same bag of bats as Tiger Woods. But it’s not likely he will be hitting the same shots. In truth, more might be capable if they’re using a different ball.

“Hitting distances at the elite level of the game have consistently increased over the past 20, 40, and 60 years,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “It’s been two decades since we last revisited our testing standards for ball distances.”

“Predictable, continued increases will become a significant issue for the next generation if not addressed soon. We are taking the next steps in this process, guided first and foremost by doing what’s right by the entire game.”

Jack Nicklaus went to St. Andrews, and at the age of 65 he walked across the Swilcan Bridge, made a birdie putt on the 18th green and waved goodbye. Nicklaus feels the USGA is on the right track with the new proposal.

That’s good enough for me.

Over The Top

One of the most common swing faults amongst high handicap golfers.

> Swinging over the top results in approaching the ball from the outside to in, due to the overuse

> This swing fault results in a slice if the clubface is open or a pull if the clubface is square or

THE BODY-SWING CONNECTION

> Swinging over the top in the golf swing is due to the upper body transitioning first in the downswing instead of the lower body.

> For a proper downswing sequence, it is essential to initiate the lower body first in the transition and have a proper weight shift from your back foot to lead foot.

If you are struggling with swinging over the top or want to avoid this swing fault, here are a couple simple exercises to help you!

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> The key to a proper weight shift requires several physical factors, including the ability to disassociate the lower body from the upper body, strong core muscles and glute strength, as well as adequate hip mobility.

Dr. Zach Cutler

Sports Chiropractor and TPI Certified Family Golf and Learning Center

@FGLCPERFORMANCE