PGA Tour golfers have for the most part sounded off on the rule proposal intended to limit the distance of golf balls at elite competitions. However, one of the game’s most prominent players — and longest hitters — supports it.
In an interview with the “No Laying Up” podcast that published Wednesday, Rory McIlroy, currently No. 3 in the World Golf Rankings, backed the proposal because he felt it would help identify the game’s top players.
“For elite-level play, I really like it,” McIlroy said. “I really do. I’m glad in this new proposal that they haven’t touched the recreational golfer. I know that’s a really unpopular opinion amongst my peers, but I think it’s going to help identify who the best players are a bit easier . Especially in this era of parity that we’ve been living in these past couple of decades.”
It’s interesting to note that McIlroy, one of the longest hitters in professional golf, leads all PGA Tour players in average driving distance, at 326.6 yards.
What else did McIlroy say about the ‘Model Local Rule’?
Building on his previous point, McIlroy said he thinks golf’s governing bodies should do everything within their power to keep the game accessible for everyone. But in a measure of transparency, he also told “No Laying Up” that he thinks the proposal will benefit him.
“Selfishly, I think it helps me,” McIlroy said. “I think this is only gonna help the better player. You know, it might help the longer player too, in some ways. But I think it’s going to help the overall professional game. I think making guys hit some long irons again, and some mid irons, and being able to hit every club in your bag in a round of golf. … I can’t remember the last time when I’ve had to do that. I don’t know if this change in the ball will make us do that, but it certainly is a step closer to that.”
What have other PGA Tour golfers said about the ‘Model Local Rule’?
Speaking at the Valspar Championship March 15, Justin Thomas blasted the proposal, saying: “It’s so bad for the game of golf.”
Thomas was also not in favor of the way the proposal would be only for elite competitions.
“So, for two of the four biggest events of the year we’re going to have to use a different ball?” he added. “Like, try to explain to me how that’s better for the game of golf. And they’re basing it off the top 1 percent of all golfers.”
World no. 2 John Rahm added his perspective, asking: “Why change what’s working?”
What is the Model Local rule proposed by the USGA?
The proposal put forth by the US Golf Association and Royal & Ancient Golf effectively leads to two sets of rules — one for the elite and one for the casual golfer — which goes against a centuries-old game that took pride in having the same set of rules for everyone.
The new proposal is to test swing speeds at 127 mph while leaving the maximum distance the same. That means golf balls used today would not meet the standard — the faster the swing, the farther it goes — and companies would have to design golf balls for elite competition that fly shorter.
The rule is expected to reduce driving distance by 14-15 yards and, if adopted, would go into effect in January 2026.
Contributing: Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rory McIlroy likes rule proposal to limit distance of golf balls