Equipment news, December 2023

Santa seems to have squeezed himself down Ludvig Aberg's chimney already.

The European star debuted a flashy new set of Titleist irons on the PGA Tour last week having signed a club deal with the popular brand.

Aberg brandished Titleist's 2023 T100 irons at the Grant Thornton Invitational playing with fellow Swede Madelene Sagstrom.

"Until this past week actually I haven't had a club deal, I’ve been playing with whatever I like," Aberg told PGATour.com last week.

"I’ve used the 2018-19 T100s up until now, but I like the way that they sit, I really like these (2023 T100s) and they can improve my game.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: "One of the reasons I made the switch is that they are very similar (to the 2019 set), he added. "I’m not the biggest fan of changing too much, especially your clubs and I like to figure it out myself.

"The switch was very easy and I feel like this week was a good time to get used to it and have a few weeks off and be ready for next year."

The 24-year-old also uses the Titleist TSR2 driver, a 718 T-MB 2-iron and three Vokey SM9 wedges, as well as the Titleist Pro V1x golf ball.

Aberg and Sagstrom fired rounds of 60, 72 and 60 at Tiburon Golf Club to finish on 24-under-par, two shots behind winners Jason Day and Lydia Ko.

Aberg won for the first time on the PGA Tour at the RSM Classic in November using the older version of his new irons, two months after winning the Omega European Masters on the DP World Tour.

These victories confirmed the potential of the former World No.1 amateur who made his Ryder Cup debut at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club as one of Team Europe's captain picks.

He won two points in a sweltering week in Rome, one of which was with Viktor Hovland as they inflicted a 9&7 beat-down of Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler in the Saturday foursomes.

In other Aberg-related news, Golf Channel today reported he has parted ways with his caddie Jack Clarke and will be joined by Joe Skovron in the new year.

NOW READ: Ludvig Aberg clubs: What's in his golf bag?

NOW READ: Ludvig Aberg's Ryder Cup caddie speaks to NCG!

The Ludvig Aberg-Titleist deal is done! Tell us what you think on Twitter/X!

The R&A and the USGA have shown their hands.

Hitting distances are set to be reduced at all levels by modifying how golf balls are tested.

You can read how the golf ball roll back plan might affect you here and you can also discover the reactions of the industry here.

But what about the reactions of those at NCG HQ? The fallout that matters.

We put together six key questions from the governing bodies' roll back announcement for four of our brightest minds (they were the only ones available) to get stuck into:

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Are the governing bodies doing the right thing?

Matt Chivers: Yes they are. They've addressed the issue in a measured way that only significantly affects a small percentage of us all.

Chris Vodden: Yes. Like Billy Foster told us, more shot-making and less driver-wedge action on most holes, please! The gap between the best and the rest isn't wide enough. Bring on a more fun and interesting game.

Matt Coles: This is a difficult question. I can understand why they might think it is the right idea, but for me, I don't understand why they're doing it. Also, the golfing landscape might have changed within the next five years.

Matthew Beedle: I’d say that for the sake of sustainability and golf courses not having to spend vast amounts of money “protecting” their golf courses, yes.

However, I can’t help but feel that there are two golf courses that they have had at the forefront of their minds when making these decisions.

Augusta National and the Old Course - not your everyday golf course.

Does the ball go too far?

Matt Chivers: The ball does go too far and would continue to go too far and stretch golf courses to their limits if nothing was done.

Chris Vodden: Not for me! But yes, the ball does go too far for a tour player or an elite amateur.

Matt Coles: At the top level, I think it's great that we see guys hitting the ball 350 yards and more. It's great to see Brooks, Bryson, Rory and hitting 'bombs'.

Matthew Beedle: For the majority of golfers, no.

Will this make any difference to club players?

Matt Chivers: No, and the minimal difference it will make to club players won't happen until 2030. Keep quiet and enjoy your round.

Chris Vodden: No. Unless they're speed-training twice a week, they'll hardly notice. The only thing it might affect are personal scores, but everyone else is in the same boat.

Matt Coles: This could make a huge difference. At my level, which is hovering just inside a single-figure handicap, taking seven to 10 yards of each shot is big. If I have to hit 5-iron instead of 6-iron, then my handicap will shoot upwards.

Matthew Beedle: As mentioned above, the majority of golfers around the world won’t be able to swing fast enough to see a difference.

Is a 15-yard reduction enough at the top level?

Matt Chivers: 15 yards seems the perfect and least offensive amount. Can the top players honestly complain about such an insignificant reduction?

Chris Vodden: I don't think it is as, if the rate of technology in golf clubs continues to grow, it might not be as far as that in 10 years.

Matt Coles: All that I can see changing would be the scores being posted. We will see more winning scores of 14-under than 20-under, but it will be the same golfers that are at the top. There might be a slight change in the percentage of fairways and greens.

Matthew Beedle: No. Players at the top level are insanely good. Will it make a difference to them that they’re hitting an 8-iron instead of a 9-iron? No.

It also won’t be enough to see the top tournaments head to “classic” courses. We’ll still see top professionals and elite-level amateurs battle it out at the same courses we see them play at now.

Will it stop beginners from taking up the game?

Matt Chivers: No chance. Beginners are not interested in the nitty-gritty details. Leave that to the governing bodies that have spent years researching.

Chris Vodden: Definitely not. They can't hit it 15 yards to begin with so they're not going to notice a difference!

Matt Coles: I can't see this happening. For beginners first getting into the game, the type of ball being used makes no difference whatsoever. It is about the feeling of hitting your first good shot, sinking your first par and then birdie putts. A ball roll back has no impact on those feelings.

Matthew Beedle: No. Unless you’re a talented beginner who can swing and strike a golf club at the same level as a PGA Tour professional, then they’ll know no different.

Will it negatively impact participation?

Matt Chivers: I can't see this at all. By the time roll back reaches recreational golfers, it will be at the back of their minds and the changes will be too minimal to reduce enjoyment in playing.

Chris Vodden: Some people could throw their toys out of the pram because they're obsessed with their own yardages, but if anything, that's a net positive for the game of golf.

Matt Coles: The only golfers who won't want to play anymore are those too stubborn to go along with the changes. Good riddance to them!

Matthew Beedle: No. We’ll all very much love the game the same way we do now. Golf is a game of constantly trying to improve and better yourself each time you step foot on a driving range or the course.

Perfecting your craft, or at least trying to, is part and parcel of the game and these changes won’t make a difference in that aspect.

NOW READ: Should our classic courses ever be put under the knife?

What is the golf ball roll back solution for you? Tell us on Twitter/X!

The R&A and the USGA have announced plans to reduce hitting distances in the game for everyone.

13-15 yards will be shaved from the longest elite hitters, while a five to seven-yard reduction is projected for LPGA and LET players in changes planned for 2028.

The decision aims to minimise the impact on the recreational game while protecting the sport's long-term sustainability.

In March, the governing bodies were met with strong opposition when initially announcing the intention to introduce a new Model Local Rule whereby top players would essentially use a tournament ball.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Some manufacturers and some players were vocally against it, but what are their thoughts now the golf ball roll back announcement has been made?

The R&A and the USGA

"We are convinced that this decision is one of the key ways of achieving a sustainable future for golf, protecting the integrity of the game and meeting our environmental responsibilities," R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers said.

"The measure we are taking has been carefully considered and calibrated while maintaining the 'one game' ethos deemed to be so important to the golf industry.

"Importantly, it also keeps the impact on recreational golfers to an absolute minimum. We are acting now because we want to ensure that future generations can enjoy the unique challenge of golf as much as we do."

"Governance is hard," USGA Chief executive Mike Whan said. "And while thousands will claim that we did too much, there will be just as many who said we didn't do enough to protect the fame long-term.

"But from the very beginning, we've been driven to do what is right for the game, without bias. As we've said, doing nothing is not an option - and we would be failing in our responsibility to protect the game's future if we didn't take appropriate action now."

Manufacturers

"As a brand that prioritises improving product performance for golfers of all skill levels, the decision to proceed with the golf ball roll back is disappointing," TaylorMade Chief Executive David Abeles said in a formal statement.

"While appreciative of the opportunity to have a seat at the table and a voice in the debate, we feel like the roll back is simply disconnected from what golfers believe is best for the game.

"Throughout the decision-making process, the USGA provided a platform to express our views, provide new data sources, and engage in candid discussions. In the spirit of collaboration, we acknowledge and respect the rules that form an integral part of our game's fabric, even when we disagree with them.

"Looking ahead, as the new golf ball standards come into effect in 2028 for professional golfers and 2030 for amateurs, we assure everyone, at every level of our game, that we will be well-prepared to navigate these changes.

"Our commitment to innovation remains unwavering. As with every product we make, we will work tirelessly to find alternative pathways to make them better and we will continually push the performance boundaries within the parameters set by the rules."

"We do not believe this is in the best interests of the game. We don't agree that there is a distance problem in the game," a Titleist spokesperson said in a holding statement.

"As we consider today’s R&A and USGA announcement against recent feedback provided by the World Alliance of PGA’s and the PGA Tour, we are also concerned that the golf ball rollback overly impacts golfers and does not fully reflect the input of those closest to the game," Acushnet Chief Executive David Maher said.

"There have been requests to align on what data is used and how it is used to draw conclusions prior to any equipment changes being made.

"Many important stakeholders do not see distance as a problem the way the governing bodies do, and therefore come to differing conclusions about how to proceed to ensure the best possible outcome for the sport."

"We do believe the game is thriving and hope to support the continued energy and enthusiasm around golf." ( Full statement here)

"We are aware of and understand the passionate responses on both sides regarding the USGA announcement on the distance roll back of golf balls. While we would prefer that any new rules did not impact recreational golfers, we believe further commentary is no longer productive," President and Chief Executive of Bridgestone Golf Dan Murphy said.

"At this point, we need to concentrate on creating conforming products that allow both professionals and amateurs to play their best golf."

"Topgolf Callaway Brands respects the perspectives of the governing bodies and knows they are acting in what they believe is the best interest of the game," Topgolf Callaway Brands President and Chief Executive Chip Brewer wrote in a statement.

"However, when viewing the same data, we have consistently communicated that we would not have chosen to roll the ball back and we would have preferred bifurcation over a change across the board."

This is a statement from Topgolf Callaway Brands President & CEO, Chip Brewer.

Chip Brewer says they would have "preferred bifurcation over a change across the board." pic.twitter.com/J9VxrFeKQL

— Golfalot (@Golfalot) December 7, 2023

The Tours

"Today's announcement takes into account previous feedback from the PGA Tour that we believe a Model Local rule related to golf ball conformance is not in the best interests of the gamer as a whole, and also feedback the PGA Tour received from the manufacturing community that a longer timeframe prior to implementation would be needed for such a change," commissioner Jay Monahan wrote to the PGA Tour members.

"Furthermore, the suggested concept of adding an additional testing protocol to address the issue of "creep" on the spring-like effect of driver faces is something the PGA Tour continues to support.

"However, we continue to provide feedback to the USGA and the R&A that we believe the proposed increase in test clubhead speed to 125 mph is disproportional to the rate of increase we see when analysing PGA Tour radar data on launch conditions, using best practices for analysing data.

"Therefore, we do not support today's announcement regarding the increase to 125 mph, believing a more moderate adjustment is appropriate."

"We appreciate the amount of time and effort the game’s governing bodies, The R&A and the USGA have expended in research in this area," a DP World Tour spokesperson said, via the Independent.

“They are golf’s rule makers, and we therefore respect the decision they have arrived at.”

The PGA Tour rejected bifurcation, which has led us to a rollback for everyone.

They also “do not support” the current rollback for everyone as proposed. pic.twitter.com/nJDC6whej7

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) December 6, 2023

"The LPGA is appreciative of the leadership and stewardship of the USGA and The R&A on a variety of topics within the game, including today’s announcement regarding the anticipated changes to the rules governing distance," the LPGA statement read.

"While we do not feel there is a distance issue in the women’s game, we recognize the need for the USGA and the R&A to address complex challenges and ensure the game’s continued long-term growth, success and sustainability.

"We support the USGA and R&A’s decision to eliminate their previous proposal for implementation of a Model Local Rule related to the golf ball as we believe a unified approach to the game is important for the continued growth of women’s golf.

"Consistency across the game provides the best opportunity for the LPGA to showcase the enormous talent of our athletes and helps ensure the LPGA will continue to be a leader in elevating, inspiring, and advancing girls and women as we have been for more than 73 years."

Players

"So the last couple of decades, we've been talking about what to do, especially as golf courses are getting longer," Rory McIlroy said to Sky Sports. "They're needing more and more acreage to build golf courses. Is that sustainable? Because they're building more acreage, they need more water to maintain them.

"There's all these environmental factors that come into it. I think that's the biggest reason we should do this, but also, from a professional that plays the game, I said in that Twitter post a few days ago, I think it'll just bring back some skills into the pro game that have maybe been lost.

"I actually think it will make the pro game more entertaining to watch. I think you're going to see a different variety of games succeed, it's not just going to be this bomb and gouge that we see predominantly now when you watch the top level of golf.

"It'll bring some of the great classic courses back into consideration when we go to major championships. That's the reason I'm a big proponent of just making the ball go a little shorter and maybe becasue of that, it might spin a little more and shot-shaping comes back into it, and long irons get played a little bit more.

"I just think the game at the top level will become a little more skilful again."

"The thing is we've all known that this could potentially be coming over the last few years," Tony Finau said. "It's been talked about for a very long time, whether it's the driver that was going to change or the golf ball, so we've been talking about a rollback for a couple years.

"I can't say it's like surprising, but now that it's here, there's a date, it's official, and no matter where you stand, we're going to have to deal with it starting in '28."

"You're just going to have to adapt. It's all just about adapting," Nelly Korda said. "Technology constantly changes, and the best players are still going to be the best players. It's just about who's going to adapt the quickest and the easiest."

"I'm a fan of the R&A, I'm a fan of the USGA and we have to look after the game and obviously, the future and what's good for the game," Annika Sorenstam told SiriusXM radio.

"I'm sorry but the game is not the same for amateurs and professionals, it really isn't. So if we're talking about sustainability that we're running out of land, I haven't heard an amateur ever say 'This course was really short'.

"So if we're only targeting the PGA Tour, that's one thing but to roll it back for everybody? I really think this is more of a PGA Tour issue than anything. On the LPGA Tour, we haven't run out of courses.

"I'm happy to play courses that the men can't play, courses that we think of, bucket list courses that are too short for the men. So let's just think about that and I think there are things you can do to make these courses a little more difficult.

"If you look at the schedule, where they play today, there are some courses where they really don't score that low and what's the difference there?

"It's not just the distance, it's the greens and the rough and maybe more narrow fairways where you have to have a little more strategy than just bombing off the tee. But we shouldn't forget that bombing off the tee is a skill."

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Eddie Pepperell believes changes to golf balls and golf clubs could be imminent.

The R&A and the USGA are expected to announce universal golf ball rollback in the coming days if reports are accurate.

But Pepperell is curious if golf's governing bodies could alter clubs too based on his experiences on the DP World Tour's committee.

The Englishman was "privy to conversations" with the R&A and club manufacturers, contributing to the tour's feedback which stated changes to clubs were as important as the ball.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: "As a committee on the European Tour when I was on it," Pepperell told the Chipping Forecast podcast. "We had to make a decision and give some feedback and part of that decision and that feedback was that we felt that there was a way in which the clubs could also be amended.

"Because there was some interesting information that came out that was presented to us from the R&A on the club front as well, and we felt as a committee that it was more compelling to go down the route of changing the clubs as much as the ball.

“After listening to Titleist and them telling us that if the ball changes, they’re going to have to change all of their clubs anyway, we figured well why not implement some interesting changes on the club front?

"So, I’m curious to see whether they’re just going to announce something with the ball because I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the clubs as well."

"My feedback was - ball, club - take it back. Because now’s a good time to do it.

"There’s a lot of good things going on, I know people will disagree with that, but also, to the point with the five per cent rough figures, come 2028, my feeling is that will be down to one or two per cent and by the time we get to 2028, players are going to have come up with inventively creative ways to hit the ball far and swing faster.

“My feeling was – you needed to go quite hard and now to act fast."

The R&A and the USGA released a Distance Insights Update in March 2022 to continue their work in addressing the long-term cycle of increasing hitting distance in the game.

Then in March 2023, the two organisations announced the new proposed Model Local Rule, changing how golf balls are tested to reduce hitting distance at the elite level.

The latest reports on rollback could include amateur players too as opposed to just the best players we watch each week.

Is golf a game of skill or power?

Billy Foster told NCG's From The Clubhouse Podcast that the game has been "destroyed" by distance and shot-shaping has become a thing of the past.

Pepperell, a two-time winner on the DP World Tour, echoed Foster's skill-based sentiment and would like to see players use every club in their bag, instead of "more drivers and more wedges."

"The main reason I want to see the ball go less far is because I want to see more professional golfers hit 14 clubs or play mid-irons, long irons, short irons and drivers," he said.

"I think if I was to see an observable pattern that is undeniably true over time is that that’s happening less and less, and we’re seeing more players come out and hit more drivers and more wedges.

"I think that’s boring and removes the really important skillset that is part of the game of professional golf, or any golf for that matter, and that is the ability to hit a mid-iron."

Achushnet, the company that owns Titleist and FootJoy, made clear its opposition to bifurcation earlier this year, as did TaylorMade.

PGA Tour chief executive Jay Monahan stated in a memo there is a “significant belief” that the proposal is not in the best interests of the game in July.

Pepperell explained how some players' thoughts about bifurcation could have been affected by manufacturers' reactions.

"The main reason the bifurcation didn’t go through was probably to do with the pressure that was put on the players by the manufacturers," he added.

"But the feedback I got and from some of the manufacturers was pretty plain and simple, and stark actually. It was if the bifurcation rule happens, we are not going to be investing nearly as much money and time into you guys as tour professionals and it was as simple as that.

"I think that threat had a very big impact on the decision-making that’s gone on and certainly influenced a lot of the players’ thinking, especially on the American side of things."

NOW READ: A shorter golf ball? It’s clubs who will need to make it work

What is the golf ball roll back debate all about? Tell us your view on X!

Rory McIlroy "doesn't understand" the anger towards golf ball rollback.

A new report has suggested rollback could affect all golfers as opposed to just elite male players which was the USGA and R&A's first suggestion.

The Northern Irishman wrote on Twitter/X that possible universal changes "will make no difference whatsoever to the average golfer."

Some PGA Tour players have slammed plans that could significantly shave yards off the tee that have rocketed so much in recent years, but McIlroy has the opposite view.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: "I don’t understand the anger about the golf ball rollback. It will make no difference whatsoever to the average golfer and puts golf back on a path of sustainability," he wrote.

"It will also help bring back certain skills in the pro game that have been eradicated over the past two decades.

"The people who are upset about this decision shouldn’t be mad at the governing bodies, they should be mad at elite pros and club/ball manufacturers because they didn’t want bifurcation.

"The governing bodies presented us with that option earlier this year. Elite pros and ball manufacturers think bifurcation would negatively affect their bottom lines, when in reality, the game is already bifurcated.

"You think we play the same stuff you do? They put pressure on the governing bodies to roll it back to a lesser degree for everyone.

"Bifurcation was the logical answer for everyone, but yet again in this game, money talks."

The R&A and the USGA are determined not to do nothing, in the words of the R&A's chief executive Martin Slumbers, which means either to bifurcate or to change the entire game.

McIlroy expressed support for bifurcation when the governing bodies first announced the plans for a new Model Local Rule in March

You can read what NCG's From The Clubhouse team think here, but what do other players think of this newest update?

I don’t understand the anger about the golf ball roll back. It will make no difference whatsoever to the average golfer and puts golf back on a path of sustainability. It will also help bring back certain skills in the pro game that have been eradicated over the past 2 decades.…

— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) December 3, 2023

Those in favour of the motion, say 'aye'

There aren't many PGA Tour stars in favour of golf ball rollback, it should be said.

Tiger Woods insisted he has always supported bifurcation after the third round of the Hero World Challenge.

The 15-time major champion said, "We just don't have the property anymore," and compared golf's current state to baseball.

"This has been I guess the talk ever since I've been out on tour," he said.

"And then to finally see it come to this point where I think both governing bodies who control the rules around the world are going to come to a collaborative understanding of how far.

"We just don't have enough property anymore. So I think that understanding that yeah, we've been hammering the ball needs to slow down, but it has kept speeding up my entire career and here we are.

"I've always been for bifurcation. I've always said that. Just like wood bats and metal bats."

Those opposed, say 'no'

One at a time, please. The naysayers have been the loudest thus far.

Golf Digest's David Shedloski reported former PGA champion Keegan Bradley has already been beating rolled-back balls to get used to prospective future conditions.

Bradley described the concept of rollback as "one of the dumbest things" he's ever heard.

"Srixon made whatever the USGA was saying, and it was 40, 50 yards (shorter) with my driver,” Bradley said.

"I was a club or two shorter. I think that the USGA - everything that they do is reactionary. They don't think of a solution. They just think we're going to affect a hundred per cent of the population that plays golf.

"For the amateur world to hit the ball shorter is monstrous. I can't think of anything more stupid than that. I don't think it's very smart at all, especially when golf's growing in popularity literally coming out of COVID.

"I don’t know what the ramifications are going to be with the ball - what they're going to do, what direction they going to go," he added.

"It would have to be a complete overhaul of the equipment that I use, the shafts that I use. Yeah, I mean the amount of change that's happened just in the course of my career is insane.

"I think we constantly get penalised for mistakes they (governing bodies) make. Whether they let the ball go too far, that's not our problem.

"They (are doing this) to punish not only the professional golfers but the world of golf for something that they screwed up on. I really think it's one of the dumbest things I've ever heard of."

Fellow American Rickie Fowler also suggested rollback could stunt golf's momentum after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fowler was ranked 39th in driving distance on tour in 2023, averaging just over 308 yards off the tee.

"There are other ways of going about this," he said.

"To take the game and knock it back when it's in the best position it's ever been in, I don't want to see it as the golf ball being necessarily the right move.

"I don't see how when we're at the best place the game has ever been. ‘Oh, you love the game? Yeah. Hey, thanks for joining us over Covid. Now we're going to make you hit it 20 yards shorter. Have fun.'

"I understand both sides. But looking at it as far as the game and everyone talks about growing the game, I think it's going to be a huge step back."

NOW READ: Players who rejected golf ball rollback from the start

NOW READ: ‘The game has been destroyed’: Billy Foster has no doubts distance is ruining golf

Where do you all on the PGA Tour-golf ball rollback debate? Tell us on X!