AUGUSTA – Augusta National Golf Club (ANGC) is not reticent to making changes to adapt to the current times, and neither should the sport’s governing bodies be when it comes to regulation of the golf ball.

That was the sentiment of ANGC chairman Fred S. Ridley in his annual pre-Masters press conference on April 8. At the end of his wide-ranging opening remarks, Ridley said “it’s time to really address” the prodigious distances elite players are currently able to hit the ball.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) proposed in March that a new testing rule that could roll back distances not go into effect until 2030. The Overall Distance Standard (ODS) test would increase the test speed from 120mph (193kmh) to 125mph, and could initially reduce driving distance by 15 yards.

In conjunction with the R&A, the governing bodies are seeking another round of feedback “from a wide range of stakeholders” before finalising the implementation date.

While Augusta National has continued to evolve and strategically add distance where it can to maintain the original design intent of the course and maintain its strategic challenges, Ridley noted that most courses do not have that option.

“Our position is grounded on much more than protecting the Augusta National golf course,” he said. “Unfortunately, many courses, including some iconic venues, do not have that option.

“Until recent years, golf has been a game of imagination, creativity and variety. The game has become much more one-dimensional. As players drive the ball prodigious distances and routinely hit short irons into par-fours and even some par-fives, this issue goes beyond competitive impacts. Increased course lengths results in more time, more cost and more environmental concerns.”

Ridley added that data shows that the impact to recreational golfers will be “immaterial” and that most will be “hard-pressed to notice the effects of this change.” His concern is for the state of the professional game and ensuring the world’s elite players are defined by their...