Everything is changing in the golf world.

From the inception of the new Saudi-backed league to the merger, we never know what may come next. Additionally, we have fresh rollback plans, which is another alteration to the story. In January 2026, the whole USGA Model Local Rule will come into force. This rule will limit how far the golf ball may travel in high-level competitions.

The proposed new rule will modify the way balls are created in order to shorten distances. Basically, the idea is to raise the bar for the best golfers in the sport by requiring distance-reducing golf balls in high-level competitions.

This is causing a lot of stirs in the golf community, and now a Ryder Cup legend has bashed authorities over it.

English Golfer is not happy with the new rule

Jacklin added that players like Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and himself do not favor rolling the ball back. The R&A and USGA didn’t make decisions for the players during his time. Meanwhile, as of right now, “Bulls*** is what it is,” in his words. Not only him, but a former PGA Championship winner is also unhappy with the decision.

Keep moving!

The new proposed rule brought back painful memory for Bradley

During the Memorial Tournament this year, Keegan Bradley thrashed the USGA for their rules. His playing was impacted by equipment changes made by the USGA and R&A in 2013. Typically, they prohibited anchored putting. Although Bradley won the PGA Championship in 2011 while using a belly putter, the club was banned in 2016.

However, Jay Monahan’s the PGA Tour and PGA of America rejected it and are exempt from the new rule’s requirements, which will only apply to R&A and USGA tournaments like the Open and US Open.

Only time will tell how this new rule will affect the game of golf in the future. However, looking at the current scenario, not many are fans of this proposed model local rule.

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