If the 'Model Local Rule' Arrives, Will Every Tour and Top Event Use It?

The proposal from the USGA and R&A begs many more questions that no one can answer yet.

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Justin Thomas brought up an interesting point when asked about the ramifications of the USGA/R&A announcement this week that proposes a new golf ball testing technique that would essentially roll back the distance the ball travels for elite players.

Those who play in elite events would be subject to golf ball restrictions based on the testing. The USGA/R&A would enact a “Model Local Rule" option for “elite competitions," requiring players to use golf balls that are tested under more restrictive conditions.

This change would not impact the everyday golfer. In fact, very few golf competitions outside of professional and high-end amateur golf would put such a stipulation in play.

But because it is an option, a tour, for example, would not have to use it.

We already know that the USGA and R&A—which run the U.S. Open and British Open, respectively—are on board with the Model Local Rule. And it’s quite likely the Masters would also go along, given how aligned that it typically is with the USGA.

That doesn’t mean the PGA Tour or the PGA of America must do so. And that could lead to some interesting problems.

“If the PGA Tour, PGA of America, don’t adopt this local rule ... for two (or three) of the four biggest events of the year we’re going to have to use a different ball?" Thomas said. “Like, try to explain how that’s better for the game of golf."

Thomas is correct on this aspect of the proposal. There are numerous arguments on both sides of the distance debate, but having to play different equipment at the biggest tournaments is far from ideal.

The rules do allow for numerous differences between events that are not nearly as impactful. For example, playing the ball as it lies is one of the true tenets of golf. And yet, there is a local rule that allows for preferred lies. The majors almost never do it; the PGA Tour does often.

Another example: nearly every professional tour uses a local rule that stipulates players use a single brand and type of golf ball throughout a round. If you start with a Pro V1, you can’t switch to a Pro V1x. And yet, the PGA of America does not invoke the local rule for its competitions, including the PGA Championship. That means a player can use a different golf ball on every hole.

There are other local rules that are not used at the elite level, such as the new out-of-bounds rule that went into effect in 2019. It’s stroke-and-distance at the pro level. Amateurs can typically drop in the fairway, nearest the point of out of bounds, and add two strokes.

Those are far easier to digest than having to get used to a different golf ball.

None of this can happen until 2026.

“And the thing to remember is this is a proposal that has been put out for comment," said David Staebler, director of rules education at the USGA. “We are going to listen to comments until August. People are going to say a zillion things. And based on that feedback, the USGA and R&A will make a decision about just how or if they want to go forward with this proposal."

Staebler said there was considerable backlash when the anchoring ban was first proposed. And when the rule allowing for the flagstick to remain in the cup while putting on the green was first proposed in 2018—enacted in 2019—Staebler said he received calls suggesting that “'this was going to ruin every record held in golf.' As it turns out, it didn’t really change the game."

Staebler understands the angst caused by the new rule but reminded that “average driving distance is gaining one yard per year. And there is no thought that it's stopping gaining one yard per year."

That has led to some important golf courses being rendered obsolete for the best players in the game. Is it worth making a change to the ball testing to enable them to be used again? Or in the future?

And is it worth having players potentially have to play by different equipment rules in the biggest championships?

We should know more in August.