Rory McIlroy has backed proposals by the USGA and R&A to roll back the ball in men’s elite golf.
Golf’s governing bodies are planning to reduce tee shot distances by 15 yards from 2026 onwards with a reduced-distance ball.
This has sparked huge debate within the professional game, and the four-time Major winner has emerged as a rare supporter of the plans.
“I’ve been pretty adamant that I don’t really want the governing bodies to touch the recreational golfer because we need to make this game as not intimidating and as much fun as possible, just to try to keep the participation levels at an all-time high,” McIlroy said in an interview No Laying Up.
“So, I’m glad in this new proposal that they haven’t touched the recreational golfer.
“But for elite level play, I really like it. I really do. I know that’s a really unpopular opinion amongst my peers, but I think it’s going to help identify who the best players are a bit easier.”
There has been some debate as to whether a reduced-distance ball actually still benefits the longer hitter more than anyone.
World No. 2 Jon Rahm believes it helps the better player, and McIlroy is in agreement.
“Selfishly, I think it helps me,” added the Northern Irishman. “I think this is only gonna help the better player. You know, it might help the longer player too, in some ways.
“But I think it’s going to help the overall professional game.
“I think making guys hit some long irons again, and some mid irons, and being able to hit every club in your bag in a round of golf. … I can’t remember the last time when I’ve had to do that.”
“Innovation is a part of every sport.” – McIlroy
McIlroy also admitted that his ideology and thoughts on the subject have changed over time.
“I was once of the opinion that, you know, they don’t try to make Formula One cars go slower,” said McIlroy.
“Innovation is a part of every sport. It’s a part of every industry. But whenever that innovation outgrows the footprint of the game, that’s when I think we have a problem.
“I had a really good chat with the chairman of the All England Lawn and Tennis Club when I was at Wimbledon a few years ago.
“We were just talking about a few things and he said, ‘Rory, back in the early 2000s, when men’s tennis was predominantly serve and volley, it wasn’t very good for the entertainment aspect of the game. Rallies wouldn’t last more than three shots. We can’t make the court any bigger. So what we did do is we slowed the ball down and we changed the grass on the court to make it a little stickier.’
“And then you fast forward from that change three years later and you’ve got Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal playing, probably one of the best finals of Wimbledon ever.”
McIlroy is set to tee it up this week at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club, USA.
