Gary Player calls for the golf ball to be rolled back by “60 yards” amid concerns for the game

Gary Player wants to see the golf ball rolled back by up to 60 yards.

Gary Player has called on the R&A and USGA to go even further with the proposed golf ball rollback by knocking up to 60 yards off.

Speaking after his honorary starter duties at The Masters on Thursday, the nine-time Major champion didn’t hold back in his criticism of modern golf and the damage being done to the “whole concept of the game” as he called for a huge golf ball rollback.

Sitting alongside fellow legends Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, The 88-year-old, who also called for an end to the conflict that is dogging men’s professional golf, made a passionate plea for change to be made.

“We’ve got to cut the ball back 60 yards, 50 yards. Otherwise, the whole concept of the game, the history of the game, the par 5, par 4, par 3, that’s gone. There are no more par 5s. These young guys are hitting 8-irons to par 5s,” he said.

“So we are changing the whole history of the game. Now, they are two different games, the R&A never agreed with me that they are two different games, professional and amateur. Go watch Jack Nicklaus in his prime or Tom or Tiger. You’ll see how different it is to the way you guys play.

“They have to cut that ball back, I don’t know what’s going to happen. They talk about making golf courses longer. The world is running out of water, seriously, and the costs of the machine, the mower, fertilizer, labor, why do that? It’s so simple, cut the ball back. Very, very simple.”

The South African’s comments came less than 24 hours after Masters chairman Fred Ridley had revealed he and Augusta back the proposed golf ball rollback that is due to be implemented in 2028. Ridley urged the world’s tours to adopt the changes and said he fears a Masters tournament course will reach 8,000 yards soon. This year’s course could stretch to more than 7,600 yards for at least one round.

Short game should be king

Player questioned the obsession with distance in the present day and expressed his wish that the short game and strength of mind become king again.

“You listen to people today talk about – the father talks about his son, or a coach: Well, you should see this young boy. He hits the ball 380 yards. You never hear him say how great his short game is (or) how great his mind is. Hitting the ball is an asset, but it’s not a necessity. But putting, if you have to hit it that long (shows an inch with his fingers), it counts as much as a 400-yard drive.

“You look at the Tour, in 30 years, plus, minus, they will all hit the ball 400 yards because there’s such great incentivization. They are going around the college, gyms now doing weight training. Rory McIlroy showed me yesterday, he does a deadlift of 400 pounds!

“So this is where we are going, and this is where we need the R&A and the USGA and the PGA to get together wisely in making a decision about a golf ball because nothing about the game today, not one single thing, is the same as when we played. Not one single thing.”

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About the Author

Rob Jerram – Digital Editor

Rob specializes in the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the Ryder Cup, spending large chunks of his days reading about, writing about, and watching the tours each month.

He’s passionate about the equipment used by professional golfers and is also a font of knowledge regarding golf balls, golf trolleys, and golf bags, testing thousands down the years.

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