Overview

• The R&A and US Golf Association are set to announce a rule change that will make almost every popular golf ball illegal, affecting both professional and amateur players.
• The new ball will travel 15 to 20 yards shorter when launched by the big-hitters, but for the weekend hackers that reduction will be proportionately less.
• Rory McIlroy has defended the change, stating it will make no difference to the average golfer and puts golf back on a path of sustainability.
• McIlroy blames elite pros and club/ball manufacturers for the change, stating they didn't want 'bifurcation' - one set of rules for pros, another for the average weekend player.
• The rule change is expected to be introduced in the pro game in 2028.