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Justin Thomas has hit back at the USGA’s proposal to reduce distance, labeling it “selfish”
Justin Thomas has said that the proposals to introduce the distance-reduced ball are “selfish” as well as “biased, incorrect and self-centered,” and has questioned whether the benefit will bring to the game.
The R&A and the USGA proposed the Model Local Rules (MLR) which gives committee members the option to require the use of balls tested in modified Open conditions. MLR is intended for use only in elite competition and will not have an impact on recreational golf.
Advances in fitness and golf equipment technology have made it possible for players to hit the ball more than in recent years, causing golf courses to be extended to try to keep up with the world’s best.
The R&A and USGA said in February 2020 that they wanted to “break the cycle of ever-increasing driving distance” but admitted it would take years before a solution was found.
Thomas hit back when asked about the proposal on Wednesday.
“My reaction was disappointed and not surprised, to be honest. I think that the USGA over the years, in my eyes – it’s harsh, but – made some selfish decisions,” Thomas told the media.
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Jamie Weir explains why golf’s governing body is proposing new local rules to give tournament organizers the option to use balls that reduce distance.
“They have definitely done a lot of things that are not for the better of the game, even though they claim. I have had a conversation with some members of the USGA and I don’t know how it is a lot of games. For them he said in the same sentence that ‘golf in the best place it’s good that you’ve ever, everything is great, but’… And I’m like, well, there shouldn’t be but.
“You’re trying to create a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. To me, that’s just bad for the game of golf, for the opportunity. I mean, some of the good things for me is the fact that I can play the same golf ball that I play. I mean, it’s cool.
“For everyday amateur golfers, it’s unique that we can play the same equipment. The pro shop and buy the same golf balls that I play or Scottie Scheffler plays or whatever.
“But the USGA wants to bring it to a point where it’s not like that. They want it to be: ‘Well, the pros play this way and the amateurs play this way,’ and I don’t know how that’s going to be better for the game. From golf.”
“The amount of time, money spent by this manufacturer to make the best product and now you’re going to tell them and we have to start over if the PGA Tour, the PGA of America, doesn’t use these local rules?
“So for two of the four biggest events of the year, we have to use a different ball? Like, try to explain to me how that’s better for the game of golf.
Thomas is at a loss as to how the proposal is good for the game of golf
“And they are the basis of the top one percent of all golfers. You know what I mean? I don’t know how many people are constantly playing golf here, but I promise that no one will come from. On the golf course and say, you know, I’ve hit it so far and continue today that golf just isn’t even fun anymore. Like, no, that’s just not reality.
“So I know I’m rambling a little bit, but I’m upset because it’s consistent with — I think — the decisions and things the USGA has done in the past in terms of rules or whatever and the data.
“I mean, what’s that, using a 127-mile-an-hour clubhead speed? Like, if you can swing 127 miles an hour, power to you. I mean, people run faster, so what, just want to make the mile length longer so the mile time the fastest not to change? Or they want to put the NBA ring at 13 feet because people can now jump more?
“Like, no. It’s evolution. We’re athletes now. We’re training to hit the ball faster and if you can do that, good for you. So yeah, as you can tell, I’m obviously against it. .”
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Thomas raised the roof at The Players after hitting a stunning eagle putt from nearly 150 yards on the 18th.
In addition to the clear interference in the proposal, Thomas suggests that the game can reach a point where players choose what to do themselves, regardless of the USGA’s proposals.
“I’m just wondering if it’s going to come to this point, why is this group calling the amateur five-to-15-handicap that defines the rules of golf for professional golfers? Or why are they saying we should do something?
“It’s also down the road, if you want to change something based on your data that you feel is biased and incorrect and independent of what you believe, then maybe we’ll make it ourselves or we’ll do it ourselves.
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Thomas produced a moment of magic at The Players, following up with an improbable birdie before throwing the club behind him.
“So, I don’t know where the Tour is. I can’t talk about what’s planned. play the ball again. I mean, I don’t let it go any further.
“And I think this is another important thing. It will help me. Playing the ball will only help people who reach far and become a good striker of the ball. It’s just an advantage for me, moreover, I feel like , from what I have and I still not for.
“It’s the bigger picture. It’s about the game of golf. If I can hear some reason that claims it’s better for the game of golf, then so be it, but I haven’t heard it.”
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