It’s a phrase that gets bandied about – but what is bifurcation in golf?
Bifurcation in golf
Let’s start with the formal definition: ‘To divide into two separate parts.’ Pretty simple, but how does this relate to our wonderful game?
For years the governing bodies, The R&A and USGA, have been working on the distance insights project and looking into if they should change the equipment rules due to pros hitting the ball so far and ever-increasing ball speeds.
When we look at the increases in driving distances in golf it is the professionals and elite amateurs that are gaining the most distance and the quickest. It is not often your average club golfer slogs a drive 300+ yards down the fairway but this is a frequent occurrence on professional tours around the world.
So why should the average golfer have to suffer and use dialled-back equipment which would reduce their hitting distance, which many argue would decrease their enjoyment.
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Many people believe the solution is to have separate sets of rules for professionals and amateurs. This would mean there would be no changes to your equipment, and you can continue to rip it round your home course in 85. The pros, however would then use dialled-back equipment to reduce hitting distance because apparently, no one wants to see Bryson Dechambeau bombing it 350 yards.
