David Abeles, president of leading manufacturer TaylorMade, says making the game more difficult should not be the aim
Golf’s flourishing as a pandemic-compliant sport is a comfort to those who had feared for the future of a time-consuming pursuit. There remains, however, an elephant in the clubhouse; one visible as Bryson DeChambeau powered his way to US Open glory and subsequently posted detail of a 400-yard drive.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have been drawn back into the equipment debate in recent weeks. Gary Player insisted golf “must cut the ball back” or a mockery will be made of venues. The R&A and USGA, the lawmakers on either sides of the Atlantic, continue to study the impact of enhanced driving distances. To traditionalists, that DeChambeau – and others – can batter historic venues into submission is an affront to the game
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