TaylorMade: Most golfers oppose bifurcation
A TaylorMade survey has revealed a large percentage of everyday golfers are opposed to the new golf ball roll back proposals.
Nearly 45,000 golfers – more than three quarters of which are recreational – answered TaylorMade’s questions and 81% of them didn’t agree with bifurcating the golf ball, despite the intentions of the USGA and the R&A.
Meanwhile, 77% of respondents believe the average hitting distance in professional golf doesn’t need to be reduced.
Just under half of those who took part in the survey believe it is extremely important to play with the same equipment as professional golfers, but 49% of respondents believe the new Model Local Rule will have no impact on their interest in the sport.
TaylorMade also reported the proposal to modify how golf balls are tested has led to 57% of golfers aged between 18 and 34 saying they’d become less interested in golf.
“The goal of our survey was to give golfers the opportunity to voice their opinion on this proposed ruling as we absorb the MLR and its potential effects on the everyday golfer,” TaylorMade’s president and CEO, David Abeles, explained.
“We are grateful that nearly 45,000 golfers across the world felt the need for their voice to be heard.
“The overwhelming amount of responses show the passion, knowledge, and care for the game our audience possesses.
“Each response and data point is being reviewed as we will utilise this feedback in our preparation to provide a response to the USGA and R&A.”
Some PGA Tour players such as Justin Thomas and Sam Burns have also expressed opposition to roll back, while Rory McIlroy is in support of the proposal.
The new Model Local Rule, which could come into effect in 2026, intends to give competitions the chance to use a golf ball “tested under modified launch conditions to address the impacts of hitting distance in golf”.
This will only be used in elite professional and amateur competitions and not in the recreational game, or the women’s game.
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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.
