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The R&A and USGA have revealed published the findings of their annual review of driving distance in golf, which they say shows an “unusual and concerning” increase – and one that “requires closer inspection and monitoring”

Introduced in 2015, the annual report examines driving distance data from seven of the major worldwide professional golf tours, based on nearly 300,000 drives per year. The data from studies of male and female amateur golfers is also included.

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.

However, the data in the new 2017 report shows a deviation from this trend, where the average distance gain across the seven worldwide tours was more than three yards since 2016.

Releasing the findings, the R&A and USGA said: “As noted in previous annual reports, variability in driving distance of four or more yards from season to season on any one tour is not uncommon.

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“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.”

Both organisations added that they remain “committed to the spirit of the 2002 Joint Statement of Principles, which recognise that distance impacts many aspects of golf and that any further significant increases in hitting distances at the highest level are undesirable.”

This follows weeks of discussion about driving distances on the world’s biggest tours. Just last week, Jack Nicklaus revealed that Mike Davis, the executive director of the USGA, had told him: “We’re getting there. We’re going to get there. I need your help when we get there.”

Some other prominent pros have also waded into the matter, with two-time PGA Tour winner James Hahn particularly outspoken about it on social media.

The R&A and USGA statement added that both bodies ‘will conduct a thoughtful conversation about the effects of distance
prior to making any specific proposals”. 

It added: “We remain open-minded and our
absolute priority is to ensure that all key stakeholders are involved in
an open and inclusive process and that we move forward together in the
best interests of golf at all levels. 

There is no fixed timetable, but
we will commence this process immediately and endeavor to reach a
conclusion as promptly as possible.”

Watch this space.


author headshot

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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