Is This KILLING Golf?!
The distance debate is one that is always talked about, Matt Fryer Golf puts it to the test with an old ball v new ball test.
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Is the game of golf being destroyed by how far the golf ball is going today we’re going to find out so if you didn’t know recently there’s been a rule change that isn’t going to come into effect for some years now 2028 for the pros and 2030 for the amateurs but it’s all
Around how far the golf ball is going they’re basically calling it The roll back of the golf ball so they’re going to make the ball go a little less further than it does and today we’re going to put that to the test by taking a brand new tailor made pp5 that has
Come out in 2024 against some Dunlop 65s these came out in 1975 these golf balls they’re going to be quite interesting to see what the differences are before we do get stuck into this video though guys I’m Matt frer and if you haven’t already make sure you’ve joined the community
Here hit the Subscribe button down below let’s get stuck into this video and also I want you to answer a question for me a little bit later on in the video about this roll back let’s tell you what we’re going to be doing though so like I said
There is going to be a roll back of the golf ball which means it isn’t going to be going as far as we see it going at the moment and I think there’s some split decisions on this which I want you to answer for me a little bit down the
Line but what we’re going to do here is take a golf ball that is from 1976 and even just look at these things they actually come in wrappers looks like a little Suite it looks like a was it a Gob stopper that you would open up
And then you would get one out versus a brand new golf ball Taylor Made tp5 of the gold standards that we see in the ball Market at the moment these Dunlop 65s were the gold standard then actually named after one of the famous golfers rounds in one of the open championships
That’s where the Monica 65 came from it but we’re going to hit them with a wedge we’re going to hit them with a 79 and hit them with a driver to see how different they are because when this roll back happens they’re obviously going to limit the performance of what
This golf ball would be doing so it’s moving back back to something a little bit like this maybe not as much but we’re going to see that there’s going to be restrictions on the performance so we’re going to get that done also I just want to see what the durability is like
On these if I hit 10 wedges one of the brand new wedges here will they actually stand up or will they fall to pieces because I don’t think the durability will be an issue in the future but it’ll be interesting to see what it was like
Back in 1975 so let’s hit some then I’ve got that question to ask you and let’s see what the numbers are saying between these two sets of golf balls going to hit the 50° now with the Dunlop and it the first two feelings there from it doesn’t feel like there’s
As much punch behind the golfball like you get as much Club on the face it feels almost like a little lighter as it comes off has this little wrapper on each one so when you actually come to it the number on the sticker equates to the number that’s going to be on the
Ball it’s not too bad it’s like a little treat when you get to open it normally it’s just a box and throw it out as well with that you get a little little wrapper not very eco-friendly though the big noticeable difference in the two balls
As well is the actual size in The dimple pattern so nowhere near as many dimples on the Dunlop and also it was a 1.62 diameter golf ball as where standard at the moment is 1.68 doesn’t sound a lot but actually when you put them side by side they look it looks like playing
With a marble versus a snooker ball it looks so small and Tiny but let’s see how it Stacks up so now that I’ve actually hit the shots and before we get stuck into the data I want to ask you the question when you heard about the roll back of the golf
Ball might even be the first time you’re hearing about it now how do you feel about it because I think everybody who watches my channel they’re not PGA Tour players LPGA Tour players DP tour players you probably average golfers who are maybe playing at your local golf
Club you play once a week with friends you maybe just go on a golfing holiday is distance actually a really big issue with you or is it more the fact that consistency might be an issue keeping the ball under control or do you walk away from the golf course saying yeah I
Think I am hitting it too far because as we saw the pros talk about it they were split in two camps you had the likes of Rory mroy Tiger Woods who were very much Pro what the RNA and the USGA are doing because they’re saying well it’s taking
Away the overpowering of the golf course it’s bringing back the skill level and ultimately these guys are at the top of the distance pile anyway so it’s not going to affect them that much as where on the other side we had people like Justin Thomas who again is a long hitter
Saying it’s great and it’s out of touch with the average golfer and that’s what I want to know from you in the comments down below do you think it’s a good thing or a bad thing ultimately we’re all going to lose distance do we maybe actually change the rules somewhere else
Because I don’t think golf courses are getting too long for the average golfer and we’re hitting it too far is it maybe just that we see the change happen for the pro leagues let me know just before we get stuck into the data I actually did a durability test with both of the
Golf balls I hit 10 wedges with a a brand new wedge and a brand new ball um of the tailor made and the Dunlop 65 and it’s quite interesting to see that actually the Dunlop 65 stood the test it really really outperformed what I thought was going to happen I thought it
Would cut up it would scuff now obviously if you’re out on the golf course this might have happened back in the day I know that in the past as well if you were to maybe thin one with a sort of mid to Long r as well the balls
Used to misshape ever so slightly but actually standing up to 10 wed it did really well as where the tailor made has done well as I would have expected there was a few slight abrasions on the cover but uh overall that dun loock really blew me away I was expecting to be
Holding it up in pieces as we did that 10 wedge test but how did these two stack up when it comes to the actual data there’s some interesting results here so the numbers that I want to be looking at here are the ball speeds the spin rates and the carry distances we’ll
Get a look at all the data but those are the ones that I’m really focused on and it’s of no surprise to say that actually the Dunlop was coming out a little bit slower with my 50° compared to what it was with the tailor maid a couple of
Miles per hour faster we saw the tailor made spinning up to 8,800 revs as where the dun lot was spinning up to 9,400 and again this then has a result on the distance the Dunlop just coming up that tiny tiny bit shorter nothing drastic at the moment but see 109 versus 112 So
Three yards being the difference when it comes to a 50 now as I was eyeballing them I started to think as we were going up the scale I was maybe seeing a little bit more and it’ll be interesting to see what we see from the next set of numbers
So when we moved into the 7 ey in pretty much following suit from what I said there and what we saw from the 50° it’s spinning up a little less with the tailor made golf ball as where the Dunlop is spinning more resulting in a slower ball speed with a Dunlop than the
Tailor made and also a lower carry number 164 for the Dunlop 172 for the tailor made it was actually interesting because I would say that I actually hit the Dunlop ball better than I did the tailor made ball in that set when I was collecting my data so
Interesting to see that it’s com in that eight yard shorter even though I felt I’d actually hit this one better but what did we see with the driver because this is the area where the amateur is really going to be impeded when this roll back comes in so driver and to be
Fair again I felt like I hit both of them well but as I was watching them as on the simulator I was thinking that actually the tailor made wasn’t too far in front of where the Dunlop was going but the numbers tell a different story we see straight away that there’s a 5
Mph ball speed difference from the Dunlop to the tailor made also the spin rate 500 revs difference from the tailor made to the Dunlop which equates to a 19 yard difference so 263 yards of carry for my Dunlop golf ball versus the 282 yards with the tailor made I don’t
Normally be expecting to get around about 285 to 290 as my normal carry so a little bit down on that but that Dunlop sitting you know well underneath 20 yards so if you think in terms of what that would mean to you as the amateur that’s probably two or three golf clubs
Less for your next shot so if you’re stood hitting a seven iron you’re going to be tracking back up towards your four IR maybe a three iron when the ball comes in the balls aren’t going to be exactly the same as the Dunlop 65 actually it was interesting titlist said
That their only conforming ball if the rule were to come in now would be the PIN teal soft golf ball that they do and I know when I’ve hit those I’m about 10 to 15 yard shorter so not as much as the Dunlop but it would mean maybe a one to
Two Club difference so i’ probably hesitate I guess that you’ll be two clubs shorter than what you will be with a current golf ball so let me know in the comments down below like I said earlier just an interesting test but how will clubs actually police this when you
Get down to the golf club are they going to check your golf balls if you’re playing in the competition to see if you’ve got a new conforming one will you just carry on playing with a normal one if you’re playing social golf let me know in the comments down below how you
Feel about the ball roll back interesting test there was a little bit down a trick down memory lane seeing those in the rapper but guys thanks for watching hit that subscribe button and we’ll see you in another video very soon
35 Comments
Change doesn't bother me at all. From what I can tell, at my ball speed the effects are going to be negligible. My variations due to imperfect strikes will swamp any change to the ball that's proposed. If that is the cost of calming down the increasingly massive distances the pros are hitting it then I'm OK with that.
So they'll keep making the non-conforming balls or won't they. I keep hearing conflicting bits of information. Because if they keep making them, I will not switch.
I started golf with 60y – and never hit a ball over 200m – too far onlynow and then when aproaching the green – I also don t use any premium balls (what for?) – so I don t care 😂
A 7 iron to a 3 iron is not a 19 yard difference, Matt. Criticize it if you want to, but criticize it honestly.
I am more concerned with consistently hitting the ball where I can find it, than how far I am hitting it. The rollback might end up saving me the hassle of hiring a guide as I will have to travel less distance into the wilderness to find my ball.😂
Will the roll back actually effect the average golfer who doesn't even hit the middle of the club?
My understanding is that they will limit the core reaction at really high speeds, so if you swing faster than 125mph, the core will compress too much and react less than the current top core balls, thus slowing ball speed and shortening distance… So the ball will likely behave in a similar manner to a super soft ball. The average golfer will probably see zero difference
Technology won't go backwards, we will still have beautiful soft, durable urethane covers and aero dimple patterns.
It's ridiculous to think that things will go backwards. If anything balls will have more technology in them to try and eke out distance and spin rates DESPITE the lower ball speeds
Today’s generation is bigger, faster and stronger and yet there are folks that want to penalize them instead of letting them reap the rewards of these gains.
The perceived problem is in the professional game, and not in the amateur game. It makes no sense penalising amateur/club golfers. I'm still going to play the golf balls I have, I won't be rushing out buying lots of new balls just to comply with an unfair and very poor decision. It's quite possibly the worst decision golf governing body have made in a very long time.
The distance loss will decrease with decreasing swing speed. So, for the vast majority of amateur golfers, you will be able to gain more yards between now and 2030 by having a few lessons than you will lose by using the new 'rolled back' ball. So it's a lot of fuss over nothing really. And if you are so upset, use the next tee up.😉
To make this a true test you need to repeat with 30/40 year old clubs. The distance isn't just the ball, it's the tech in the clubs too. Obviously with modern clubs the modern ball is going to be much longer.
I think pros should definitely be governed a bit, or you redesign golf courses to make them longer (not a good idea). The ball is a great solution. There are so many 20 under pars now that it's clear the game has progressed beyond the course designers original intent. Admittedly I'm a traditionalist and like strategic and considered golf and not LIV razzamataz. Will younger viewers stop watching? Dunno.
The golf ball rollback is super lame and ridiculous
Just turned 57 and I don't hit the ball very far. Driver carry on a good strike is about 220-235 depending on conditions. 7i is 145-155. If I lose 10 yards that would make a huge difference in my game. Still not that much data on how the roll back will affect golfers like me though.
Who cares? It may add a shot or two per round for the pros but won’t make a bit of difference when it’s all done.
Hey Matt and team, my mother in law used to work for Shell here in the US. Any chance you can point me to where you bought those or have any extra so I could buy one as a present?
Glad mine a LIV guy! They will never go 2 the rolled back ball! If so this move will single handed destroy the game, both at the PGA level and at your local golf course! No way am I going to hit a 4i from 150 yards! I WILL QUITE THIS STUPID GAME!!
Pro only! It’s ridiculous for regular people.
I don’t watch golf so I couldn’t care less. It won’t change my score card!
I did not hear that the new rules were going to be based on that Dunlop. I’ll continue to play what ever ball is available since I don’t play in tournaments.
Let’s go back to Persimmon, Balata, pure blade putters, 40” and 200-300cc drivers.
I switched to persimmon woods and 1980s MacGregor irons a few years ago. I grew up with these clubs and learned the game using these. I choose to use them and have zero interest in competitive golf. However the rollback is an obligation placed on amateurs which is only required for the Pro game. Totally wrong to have this in the amateur game and once again the R&A are toothless and pander to the equipment manufacturers. Sad times
roll it back for the pros and leave the rest alone
Ok for pros maybe but for the average golfer we need as much help as possible + we need to encourage the younger generation.
Reducing the distance golf ball travels will benefit the longer slightly more wayward drivers! Who will still have a distance advantage but probably hit more fairways ie if you hit the ball off line the ball might not reach the rough or the trees
Leave the ball as is. Make courses harder for long hitters put hazards up were big hitters would be so it brings them back to shorter hitters length and lets stop making bunkers and ruff kids play if you land in them it should cost you a shot just playing out of them. They make it to easy to recover from bad shots. LEAVE THE BALL ALONE.
Roll back – utter non story. The projected difference is well within the margin of error and some. With regards to hitting a Dunlop 65 – ah the memories, but again pointless. The 65 would last a round or two in the real world. What would have been interesting would have been a real world comparison rather than using a trackman that is programmed for a modern ball. PS the "new" larger ball was introduced to reduce the distance the ball could be hit! And look how that turned out.
I’d like to see range finders out lawed. There are course markers for working out how far to the pin. And gps. Range finders just waste time and promote wankers on the course.
The amateur game bears no resemblance to the Pros, time those selfish twunts had their own rules, we don't get the same equipment they do anyway, if the ball has made all that difference , why has the average handicap stayed the same
it is a good thing, I have played the game since the dunlop 65, and now at 60 I hit it the same length as I did when I was 20!!
My view- the current distances is killing our 100 year old club. It’s actually become dangerous. All the amateur/ club golfers who have complained to me are suffering from too much testosterone. It will be the same for everyone equally.
For me the distance won't be an issue, just keeping it on the course and not losing half dozen balls would be a good thing 😂😂 I would have thought only the tour pro's will really make a fuss over it.
Why fix something that’s not broken. Some halfwit sitting in an office trying to earn his wage. It’s a load of rubbish we are meant to be moving forward in the golf world not back
The smaller ball used to go further than the 1.68 in the day so comparison is not exact but would be more of a difference in reality.
What is the general criticism? do people think that not going as far will think the game is not as fun? If anything, it would cause quite possibly more decisions to have to be made when choosing what to hit
I'm against the golf ball roll back. I'm a 6 handicap, and my average drive is 230-250 yrds. Obviously, depending on wind and ground conditions, I can hit it longer, but I work on around that number. I'm not one that hits the ball too far. Change it for the Pro's if they must but leave the ball as it is for us average golfers.