Golf ball rollback: Club golfers react to major rule change 

We’ve heard what the best in the world think. 

Rory McIlroy believes the introduction of new rules to roll back the distance the golf ball can travel in the air will make golf more entertaining to watch at the top level.

On Wednesday, the R&A and USGA confirmed that the major rule change will limit distances for the elite game from January 2028, and for recreational players in 2030.

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Keegan Bradley, who is among the top pros who will lose up to 15 yards off the tee, has called the decision to restrict amateurs “monstrous.”

The equipment manufacturers who will have to fundamentally change their ways have also had their say.

But what about the amateurs? The obsessive regulars and the weekend hackers will have up to five yards shaved off their drives, according to the R&A and USGA’s research.

So we asked the regular golfer how they feel about the game-changing news that will also impact them.

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Here’s a flavour of the best reactions…

Simon Hall

For the likes of us normal golfers, it won’t make a blind bit of difference due to our slower swing speeds. With regards to the pros, just bring up the rough and make bunkers proper hazards to stop them thinking they’ll be fine if they go in them

Bobby Holms 

Extremely harsh on the average golfer if, like me, he/she loses distance with age. We like to think we can continue to obtain some enjoyment from a game we love.

James Barrett

Fantastic idea – my duck hook into the woods will only go 10 yards in, instead of 20 or 30 with the new balls…

Mark Dwyer

Shouldn’t be for us amateurs, like taking the thrill or fun out of it for us.

Gwnfor Higgins

Considering the professional golfer was making a mockery of our championship courses throughout the world,something had to be done. You can’t keep increasing the length of courses just to cater for the big hitters of the game.Not a big enough change for me anyway

Alex Burnett 

It’s the same rules for everyone you’re playing against. Over the same course and generally the same conditions. It’ll still come down to ability no matter what. It’s not a big deal.

Ben Wood

We’ll be alright, and within a few rounds, and certainly by the end of a full season following the rollback, we will have forgotten the difference.

Brantley Tribble

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.