🏌🏻 PGA's Opposition

Good morning. Our Top Story for the day lays out everything you need to know about the decision for golf ball testing, interesting facts about The Majors winners and PGA opposing the golf ball testing rollback.

And, we’ve rolled out a fresh referral reward for you! Refer 5 golf enthusiasts that signup for Golf Reporter and earn yourself a sleeve of Pro v1 golf balls.

So, grab your morning brew, and let's tee off into today's golf news and tips!

ALBATROS
Revised Golf Ball Testing From 2028

The R&A and USGA will update the testing conditions used for golf ball conformance under the Overall Distance Standard (ODS), which will take effect in January 2028.

The revised ball testing conditions will be: 125-mph clubhead speed (equivalent to 183 mph ball speed); spin rate of 2200 rpm and launch angle of 11 degrees. The current conditions, which were established 20 years ago, are set at 120 mph (equivalent to 176 mph ball speed), 2520 rpm with a 10-degree launch angle.

What does it mean for players?

The longest hitters are expected to see a reduction of as much as 13-15 yards in drive distance.

Average professional tour and elite male players are expected to see a reduction of 9-11 yards, with a 5-7-yard reduction for an average LPGA or Ladies European Tour (LET) player.

The change in testing speed is expected to have a minimal distance impact, 5 yards or less, for most recreational golfers.

Research shows an average swing speed of 93 mph for male golfers and 72 mph for female players.

Opposition From PGA

The PGA Tour and PGA of America released statements on Wednesday opposing the USGA and The R&A's decision to universally roll back the golf ball.

"Throughout the process, we have provided feedback to the USGA and The R&A and are pleased to see a number of our recommendations reflected in this most recent announcement," the PGA Tour statement read. "However, we believe the proposed increase in test clubhead speed to 125 mph is disproportional to the rate of increase we see when analyzing PGA Tour radar data. In conjunction with guidance from the Player Advisory Council, Player Directors and Policy Board, we will continue to share our feedback with the USGA and The R&A."

TWEET
Worth Mentioning

EAGLE
Tiger Woods Begins Designs For First Mountain Golf Course

Tiger Woods and his course design firm, TGR Design, have begun the first phase of developing Marcella Club, an 18-hole championship course in Park City, Utah.

The project is Woods’ fourth 18-hole original design and is part of a larger facility that will include another golf course and an alpine skiing resort.

Situated in Park City, 7,000 feet above sea level, initial renderings show Marcella Club could stretch more than 8,000 yards, with each par-5 capable of playing more than 600 yards.

It marks Woods’ first foray into mountain course design.

LOCKER ROOM
What else is making news

• With strong performances up and down their scorecard, Team Titleist cruised to a six-shot victory over TaylorMade in the first Industry Cup since 2019, this one held at Aviara Golf Club.

• LPGA players weigh in on governing bodies’ decision to dial back distance.

• For 168 golfers heading to Northeast Florida to try to earn PGA TOUR cards at Q-School – for the first time since 2012 – just the final four rounds of Q-School presented by Korn Ferry are left on the calendar. Here’s everything you need to know about Q-School’s Final Stage, happening Dec. 14-17.

• 7 unanswerable questions about the golf ball rollback.

• Eleven of Thailand’s finest golfing stars will be in action in Abu Dhabi this week, as part of a strong Asian Tour cohort in search of three golden tickets to the LIV Golf League through the innovative new LIV Golf Promotions event.

• APGA Tour standout Marcus Byrd receives sponsor exemption to 2024 Farmers Insurance Open.

• Tiger Woods pays subtle homage to Bulls legend Michael Jordan ahead of first tournament since spring.

BIRDIE
3 Interesting Facts About The Majors Golf Tournament Winners

Collectively, the four major tournaments are the highest honors in golf. These are: the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship.

Golf Reporter’s analysis team stumbled upon some fascinating facts and patterns that have repeated themselves over the years.

For instance, the grand slam or winning all of these four in a single calendar year is something that has eluded golfers for decades. No one has managed to accomplish this incredible feat. However, some have come close.

Tiger Woods came closest. In 2001 and 2002, he won all the four major tournaments but not in the same calendar year. He is also one of the five golfers to have won the career grand slam. If you’re wondering who the other four are, keep reading.

Read the full article here.

DRIVING RANGE
Don't Turn Your Shoulders for a Driver Golf Swing

Don't turn your shoulders in the golf swing if you want to hit driver longer. Golfer's make this mistake all the time and you won't just lose distance you will struggle to hit driver straight.

In this golf lesson Danny Maude reveals exactly how the shoulders work in the golf backswing AND downswing. Improving how you rotate in the golf swing enables you to do two things:

1. Store energy in the backswing

2. Release that energy at the perfect time at impact

PAR FOR THE COURSE
December 7: This Day In History

1980: Gino Turchi made first and still only hole in one from back tee of hole #17 at the Eagle Crest Golf Club in Clifton Park, N.Y.