USGA test of prototype limited-flight ball?
 

Passing this along from a posting on FB. Interesting read.

Personally, I don't like the idea of changing the ball. What do you all think?

http://www.geoffshackelford.com/home...ing-event.html

Ken

Very interesting, the balls lead to 2-3 more clubs from the fairway into the green.

Interesting......man, I am really torn on this subject. I see pro's and con's from each side.

I'm starting to really dislike the USGA. I don't particularly remember, but what purpose does the USGA have in these limited flight golf balls?

~Rock

Nice to see they are continuing to build on their legacy of incompetence and making the game less enjoyable. I hope they all get the shanks.

Lol. The ultimate golf curse.

~Rock

Changing balls may not be the answer. They say that this one flies straighter than anything currently being used. If this is the case, I think scores will actually be lower, simply because pros dont have a problem going with a 5 instead of a 7. Sure, there's longer flight time for the ball to be off course, but if it's flying straighter, then they'll just aim right at it without too much worry.

I personally like it when the players have to make shots and curve the balls.

Hmmmm, not really liking this too much. I'm not an advocate for the game getting shorter, but I'm also not an advocate for the game to continue to get longer. I like reasonable length courses with reasonable scores. On the fence on this topic.

If they do it only for pros, I don't see an issue.

Really interesting. I'm completely torn on whether a "Tour" ball should be used, but am definitely against rolling back the ball for amateurs...

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I have been thinking about the incredible advancements that have been made in the science of the golf ball. I don't know about rolling back, but I do feel that they should cap it where it is. The main problem is the golf courses that are required to support the incredible distance we see today are just too expensive to maintain and there is not enough land to extend many of the existing courses and it is starting to take so much land to build a new course that the cost is becoming onerous.

Dumbest idea since Lincoln went to the theater. Leave the game alone!

I don't like this, but then again, I also think it is ridiculous that they cut down the rough at Bethpage Black for the pros.

I wonder how this will affect the marketing strategy for companies. "tour balls: now 20 yards shorter!"

Interesting. I would love to see some good hard data and numbers in relations to launch and spin with these balls.

http://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo...bulgy-eyes.png

Half the reason I spend an extra few bucks a month on the golf channel is to watch Bubba, Jason Day, and Dustin Johnson peel the cover off of the ball. This is crap.

Am I the only one that has a problem with punishing the company that innovates and advances golf balls?? I don't care if shorter courses can't lengthen out. I play a 9 hole course that is 2150 yards long. If the ball flies too far, then I simply club down. I don't blame the course for not lengthening. I've played a handful of shorter muni courses this year, and I simply teed off with a lot of irons as opposed to driver or 3-wood. In my opinion, the skill required to get par is largely the same.

Also, if you want to see ratings drop for golf on TV, the USGA probably should take away the long drives.

~Rock

Interesting comment in the OP saying that you are not in favor of changing the ball when the ball itself is constantly changing and evolving. Of course, drastic changes vs year over year manufacturing changes are two different things. I think the USGA needs to stop trying to mess around with the game. That's my left hand talking. The right hand is still wanting the broomstick putters to be outlawed. http://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo...ies/act-up.png

100% agree with you in terms of limiting innovation and technology.

Not exactly in the same sense but that's kinda like OPEC telling Honda to pipe down on developing fuel efficient cars.