TaylorMade and other equipment manufacturers expressed concern about the proposed Model Local Rule (MLR), which would require elite players to use a shorter-distance golf club. This was just a week after R&A and the USGA announced it. According to the second sentence, "This will introduce bifurcation in our sport, which means that you, the golfer, will use different equipment than professionals."
The results of a survey that was conducted by the equipment company, based in Carlsbad (California), to get feedback from recreational golfers about the Model Local Rule were released Thursday morning. TaylorMade reports that more than 45,000 people participated in the survey. The overwhelming response indicated that recreational golfers were not supportive of the USGA's and R&A’s plans.
When asked if they agreed with the proposed rule for golf balls, 81 percent answered "No" and 77 percent stated that the average distances of professional golfers should not be decreased.
"The purpose of our survey was for golfers to voice their opinions on this proposed ruling, as we absorb and evaluate the MLR and its potential impacts on the everyday golfer," stated David Abeles (TaylorMade's president/CEO). "We are grateful to nearly 45,000 golfers around the globe who felt the need to have their voices heard. The overwhelming number of responses demonstrates the passion, knowledge, and love our audience has for the game. We are reviewing each response and data point. This feedback will be used to prepare for a USGA or R&A response.
The survey by TaylorMade included 14 questions. It also asked for the respondent's handicap. The survey found that 85 percent of respondents said that the MLR would have no effect on how much they play golf. TaylorMade asked three words to describe TaylorMade's proposed MLR.
The USGA and R&A announced the MLR proposal, and stated that there would be a comment period until August 14. The comment period will allow stakeholders such as equipment companies, players and golf course operators to weigh in and give feedback to the game's governing body. The USGA and R&A are expected to review the comments and provide feedback. They will then announce the decision on the proposed MLR by 2023. If the proposal is approved, it would allow equipment manufacturers TaylorMade and Titleist to have two years to develop balls that can pass the modified testing procedures, and comply with the Model Local Rule.
The TaylorMade study does not claim to be a scientifically-created, cross-section of all golfers, it can safely be assumed that golfers who opted to take the survey after seeing it promoted on TaylorMade's social media channels and website think positively of the brand and its viewpoints.
Although some may find the survey biased, it is an open challenge to the USGA's and R&As positions that distance is a problem at elite level golfers and must be reduced. Before releasing the MLR proposal, the game's governing bodies knew how divisive distance was. This is why it has been accepted by the golf community. Weekend golfers as well as recreational players will not be affected. Although the USGA and R&A strongly oppose bifurcation in any form, many golfers believe that the MLR would be exactly what they want, which would create different rules for players with different abilities.
By: David Dusek
Title: TaylorMade survey suggest golfers strongly oppose USGA, R&A golf ball rollback
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/03/30/taylormade-survey-golfers-strongly-oppose-usga-ra-golf-ball-rollback/
Published Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2023 15:25:37 +0000
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