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Jack Nicklaus believes that the R&A and USGA need to impose tighter restrictions on equipment to protect the integrity of the game.
Ernie Els disagrees.
The four-time major champion took to Twitter to share his views on the distance debate just days after Nicklaus called on the game’s rulemakers to roll back the golf ball.
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During an appearance on the CBS broadcast of the Memorial Tournament, Nicklaus said: The golf ball is a very, very simple thing to fix and I’ve been preaching about it for 43 years,” he said. “That’s when I first went to the USGA [about it]. That’s a long time to be saying, ‘Oh, we’re studying it.’
“Guys, stop studying it. Do something will you please?”
Within 48 hours, Els – not the most prolific Tweeter – contradicted 18-time major champion Nicklaus’ sentiments, suggesting a different approach altogether.
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“Our game is in a good place,” observed the 50-year-old ‘Big Easy’. “Equipment improvements and distance are here to stay. Full stop. We need a ‘serious’ premium on accuracy. Golf courses don’t need to be longer. Make the Tour rough knee high, fairways fast and firm which is fair for all players.”
Our game is in a good place. Equipment improvements and distance are here to stay. Full stop. We need a ‘serious’ premium on accuracy. Golf courses don’t need to be longer. Make the Tour rough knee high, fairways fast and firm which is fair for all players. pic.twitter.com/rwUvJ14vq2
— Ernie Els (@TheBig_Easy) July 18, 2020
The distance issue has been attracting considerable attention again thanks to the big-hitting exploits of Bryson DeChambeau.
The American put on approximately 20 pounds during the COVID-19 lockdown in a bid to defeat courses with brawn rather than brains.
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He has proven largely successful, too, posting seven consecutive top-10 finishes on the tour – including one win – before a missed cut at the Memorial ended his streak.
DeChambeau’s prodigious length off the tee prompted R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers to warn that he will impose tighter sanctions on equipment standards if the American’s power becomes a trend.
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