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2w ago

USGA, R&A and Tours Pause Golf‑Ball Rollback and Move ODS Start to 2030

Evidence from player testing that the proposed ball-only test may not curb elite driving distance has prompted a joint review of alternative approaches before a single 2030 rollout.

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Golf - The 153rd Open Championship - Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland, Britain - July 16, 2025 General view of Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy's golf ball during a practice round REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Jun 5, 2026; Dublin, Ohio, USA; The TaylorMade golf ball of Rory McIlroy sits on the first tee during the second round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • The USGA, The R&A, the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour issued a joint statement on Wednesday that there will be no change to Overall Distance Standard testing until January 2030 and that the planned 2028 elite start is off the table.
  • Officials said industry feedback favored a single 2030 implementation date and raised concerns that the updated ODS test may not produce the intended distance reductions for top professionals.
  • High-profile testing, including Cameron Young using a prototype ball that met the proposed standard while still hitting extreme drives, helped convince stakeholders the ball-only fix might be insufficient.
  • The four organizations will jointly review, test and potentially adopt narrower or different options such as a competition-only ball, Model Local Rules, driver or equipment limits, or course and tournament setup changes.
  • USGA CEO Mike Whan stressed the need for a faster, targeted solution and said players will be more directly involved in the study, with the groups under pressure to agree on a path before the 2030 deadline.