USGA chief outlines golf ball rollback concern

Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA, has outlined one concern he has for the game post golf ball rollback.

In December, the United States Golf Assocation and the R&A announced a landmark decision that would impact the game.

The rollback will see distance controlled for professionals from 2028 and for amateurs from 2030.

But Whan, 59, is worried that the distance pros are expected to lose isn’t enough and will effectively be wiped out within 20 years.

“A change that I would’ve liked to implement in 2026 will now happen in 2028 and 2030,” he told Golf Digest.

“A difference that I wish would’ve been 22 yards for the longest hitter will probably be more like 12 yards. Of course, those 12 yards will be gone in 20 years.

“The goal isn’t to set us back, but to slow the pace by which we’re obsoleting courses from hosting championships and qualifiers. This is governance in action.

“The USGA had to be the body that does this for the long-term health of the game because we’re not tied to sponsors and equipment manufacturers.

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“Many of these same stakeholders have said to me in a quiet room, ‘I’m glad this is your decision and not ours’.”

Whan said at the time of the announcement that the rollback was the right thing to do for the game of golf and to protect its future.

He had the backing of the R&A and its outgoing CEO Martin Slumbers, who said it was key to ‘protecting the integrity’ of the game.

Ultimately, though, Whan would’ve liked the proposed distance shortages at the amateur level to be greater.

“In the end, we reduced the impact of this change so that the overwhelming majority of amateurs won’t know the difference or experience the difference,” he said.

“Would I have liked the difference to be larger? I would have, but I wasn’t willing to upset the amateur game to do it.”

The PGA Tour and the PGA of America have yet to confirm they will roll with the changes, but Whan is confident all parties will ‘play by the rules’.

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“Both entities were very involved and vocal in the process, and what we heard loudest from them was, don’t bifurcate,” Whan said.

“If you’re going to [limit distance], have the guts to make it a rule [for everyone]. If we made it their choice, their preference would be to not go along.

“So, we’re making it a rule and I feel confident everyone will play by the rules of the game.”

Meanwhile, in the wide-ranging interview, Whan said there is a “significant arms race with money” in golf.

“When I took this job our women’s US Open purse was $5.5 million and now it’s $12 million,” he added. “Our men’s purse was $12 million and now it’s $21.5 million.

“Those massive chunks of difference speak to your earlier point about TV rights. If those are going in different directions, we’ve got tough choices ahead.

“If that doesn’t keep you awake as a CEO, you’re not spending time on the right stuff.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.