Early reports were confirmed on Wednesday morning by the United States Golf Association and the R&A that a golf ball rollback is just a few years away.
Starting in 2028, golf’s governing bodies will change how golf balls will be tested for conformity to reduce the effects of distance in the sport (to learn how balls are tested, click here).
Nearly every golf ball being sold today – including the Titleist Pro V1, Callaway Chrome Soft, TaylorMade TP5, Bridgestone Tour B and Srixon Z-Star – would go too far and fail the new test. Balls that had previously been legal but failed the new test will be removed from the Conforming Ball list, making them illegal for official play starting Jan. 1, 2028.
The news produced quite a reaction from golf equipment companies, professional tours and their players. Here’s what they had to say about the USGA and R&A’s news of a golf ball rollback.