‘It’s the most atrocious thing you could possibly do to golf’
By Matt Chivers
Big-hitting Bryson DeChambeau hasn’t held back with his criticism the R&A and USGA’s proposal to roll back on the golf ball
Bryson DeChambeau was the biggest hitter on the PGA Tour for two seasons – and his ‘bomb and gauge’ tactics helped him win his maiden major as he pushed his body to its uppermost limits in pursuit of quicker ball speeds and longer drives.
So it will come as no surprise that he is not a fan of the new proposals put forward by the R&A and USGA to roll back the golf ball.
Speaking on the LIV Golf website, DeChambeau was damning of the announcement which could see events played with a ball that doesn’t fly as far from 2026.
“If you could say I’m the complete opposite times 1,000, that’s what I would be,” the Crushers team captain said. “It’s a great handicap for us guys that have worked really hard to learn how to hit it farther.
“Look, if they do it in a way where it only affects the top end, I see the rationale.
“But I think it’s the most atrocious thing that you could possibly do to the game of golf. It’s not about rolling golf balls back, it’s about making golf courses more difficult.”
The 29-year-old won the US Open at Winged Foot by six shots in 2020, adopting a strategy that essentially entailed hitting the ball as far as possible on each tee box to leave the shortest approach possible, regardless of the lie.
DeChambeau’s monstrous drives could become a thing of the past at the US Open and Open Championship, plus other elite competitions, if the new Model Local Rule is to be implemented.
The eight-time PGA Tour winner, who has also competed in World Long Drive Championships in recent years, believes long drives are what fans want to see.
If his latest set of Ping irons is anything to go by, DeChambeau doesn’t lack imagination, but that is his accusation towards the game’s governing bodies and their fresh plans to reduce the impact of hitting distances.
“I think it’s the most unimaginative, uninspiring, game-cutting thing you could do,” DeChambeau added. “Everybody wants to see people hit it farther.
“That’s part of the reason why a lot of people like what I do. It’s part of the reason a lot of people don’t like what I do.
“But again, it creates more conversation in a positive way than cutting it back and trying to make everybody equal. I’m all about equality. I’m not about equity on this front.”
What do you make of the new Model Local Rule that could reduce how far the golf ball goes? Tweet us and let us know!
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
