Bernhard Langer’s fix for golf’s distance fight? Bigger golf balls and holes

Bernhard Langer, who quickly could possibly be enjoying a rolled-back golf ball, has one other answer for golf’s distance struggle. 

Make them larger. 

The balls. 

And, consequently, the holes. 

“I don’t know if this has ever been discussed,” Langer mentioned. 

It maybe has, although possibly not with the help of a two-time Masters winner. It additionally comes on the heels of a latest resolution by the USGA and the R&A to roll-back the ball beginning in January 2028 for execs and January 2030 for leisure golfers — so the thought is topical, although his suggestion could in the end be simply an concept within the effort to reign in growing distance within the recreation.

Speaking this week prematurely of his protection of the upcoming Chubb Classic on the Champions Tour, Langer additionally notably had ideas in opposition to a transfer — of any sort. For readability, they began when a reporter requested him this: 

“I wanted to ask you a question about the proposed golf ball rollback by the USGA and the R&A. I know it’s about a year away, but I think it’s interesting, especially as you said earlier, that you do not play a power game; you play more of a precision game. How do you think this is going to be accepted across the world and across the tours when they actually do roll the ball back?”

Langer had a pair of considerations. They have been associated.  

A ball rollback would sap pleasure. Who doesn’t dig the lengthy ball?

It would additionally pressure producers. Who desires a lower-distance ball?

“Yeah, that’s a great question,” he began, “and we’ve been debating this, what, 30 years now in all probability, when it began. When Tiger Woods got here alongside and hit it some distances that — nicely, Jack was actually lengthy, Nicklaus. But I personally really feel among the thrill of golf is to hit the ball far. … John Daly was one of the vital prolific folks enjoying golf, not simply because he was entertaining together with his golf, however he was hitting the ball additional than anyone else, and identical with Tiger and identical whoever hits the ball very far has a big following, and not simply out on Tour however any newbie that performs golf. They discuss how far they hit it. They don’t discuss, oh, I made a 30-foot putt or I had a chip-in or one thing or I made a par. 

“They talk about the big drive they hit somewhere.”

Still, Langer mentioned he’s seen the distances hit, and a trickle-down impact. 

So he had one other concept. 

“I perceive golf programs should be longer, we use extra water, we use extra fertilizer. Nowadays, the golf course must be 7,500 [yards], was 6,500.

“I’ve designed some programs — I keep in mind 30 years in the past I designed bunkers at 240 yards, 250 yards from the again tee. Well, the nice gamers don’t even sniff these; they fly it 50 over these. So it’s a predicament that’s not straightforward. Otherwise they might have solved the difficulty a very long time in the past.

“I don’t know if this has ever been discussed. I said, why not make the golf ball a little bit larger, all golf balls, so that it won’t go as far, quite as far. You push more air. You can make the golf hole a little bit bigger. You still face the same dilemma I’m talking about, but at least we’re playing the same golf ball. I’m one of millions who are discussing this, and I may not have the answer. I just see the problems we’re facing.”

In the interview, Langer was not requested how huge both the ball or gap ought to be. 

Notably, a ‘larger’ golf ball has been round for some time, although they’ve been fractionally larger. Knowing that, although, what do the principles say?

For golf-ball measurement, there’s no restrict how massive it might go — to a level. The complete rule reads this way: “The diameter of the ball must not be less than 1.680 inches (42.67 mm). The official test protocol uses a metal ring gauge suspended in perspex. It is important to note that there is no maximum size, the ball can be as large as desired provided it conforms to all other standards.”

And the opening measurement?

The definition of ‘hole’ reads this way:

“The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: The hole must be 4¼ inches (108 mm) in diameter and at least 4 inches (101.6 mm) deep. If a lining is used, its outer diameter must not exceed 4¼ inches (108 mm). The lining must be sunk at least 1 inch (25.4 mm) below the putting green surface, unless the nature of the soil requires that it be closer to the surface.”

Nick Piastowski

Golf.com Editor

Nick Piastowski is a Senior Editor at Golf.com and Golf Magazine. In his position, he’s accountable for modifying, writing and creating tales throughout the golf house. And when he’s not writing about methods to hit the golf ball farther and straighter, the Milwaukee native might be enjoying the sport, hitting the ball left, proper and quick, and consuming a chilly beer to scrub away his rating. You can attain out to him about any of those subjects — his tales, his recreation or his beers — at nick.piastowski@golf.com.