Is Colin Montgomerie right? Here's why he wants a major change to professional golf
28th July 2024 Carnoustie Golf Links, Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland, Senior Open Championship, Round 4 Colin Montgomerie walks off the first tee of the Championship Links, Carnoustie during the final round of The Senior Open presented by Rolex PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK ActionPlus12673371 DavidxYoung
28th July 2024 Carnoustie Golf Links, Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland, Senior Open Championship, Round 4 Colin Montgomerie walks off the first tee of the Championship Links, Carnoustie during the final round of The Senior Open presented by Rolex PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK ActionPlus12673371 DavidxYoung
European Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie wants the golf ball rolled back as soon as possible. Modern golf has become one-dimensional, and bifurcation could be the solution, according to the Scotsman.
The USGA and the R&A brought forth the idea of the golf ball rollback policy in 2023. However, on the eve of the 2026 U.S. Open, the governing bodies announced their decision to delay its implementation till at least 2030. Montgomerie knows why.
“We have to roll back the ball, bring it back,” said Montgomerie. “But of course, the powers that be don’t want that because what happens is the amateurs suffer because we don’t want to have two different golf balls for amateurs and pros.”
Italy: The Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome, Italy on 27 September 2023: Pictured: Former Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie during the All-Star match at the Ryder Cup 2023 Rome Marco Simone Golf &amp Country Club Italy Copyright: xAlexxToddx
Italy: The Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome, Italy on 27 September 2023: Pictured: Former Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie during the All-Star match at the Ryder Cup 2023 Rome Marco Simone Golf &amp Country Club Italy Copyright: xAlexxToddx
Speaking on the Old Boys, New Balls podcast, Colin Montgomerie insisted on quick action.
Bifurcation might be the way to address the distance issue. Handing a different ball to amateurs and professionals would allow pros to use a shorter-distance ball while amateurs retain current specs.
The modern game has become one-dimensional. With pros having a driving distance average of 350 yards on courses built with a dogleg set at 265 yards, course hazards go out of the equation.
“The only way is to reduce the ball, reduce the clubs. We can’t reduce the actual human specimen," Montgomerie added. "It just used to be the ball and the club that was the problem. Now, it’s the ball, the club, and the athlete.”
Montgomerie's solution is blunt: standardize the ball at all events. That would bring course hazards back into play.
Or else, the 2027 Open at St Andrews and the 2028 Open at Royal Lytham would feature pretty low scores if things don't change.
On the other hand, US President Donald Trump has lashed out at the rollback policy.
Not everyone agrees: Trump's criticism of the rollback
US President Donald Trump has, time and again, criticized the USGA and the R&A’s rollback policy.
"It was a ridiculous idea, that nobody wanted, especially PGA Tour Players, and people that don’t want to go to a Course to be told that their drives will be going 20 yards shorter,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Has anyone ever heard of anything so ridiculous?"
The US President praised the governing bodies’ decision to delay the policy till 2030.
The governing bodies held talks with the PGA Tour, DP World Tour leadership, and also the PGA Tour Player Advisory Council before announcing their decision.
Alternative methods will now be welcomed by the governing bodies, which will ensure minimal disruption to the golf market while addressing the distance issues.
However, Montgomerie wants the change as soon as possible. Trump does not agree with him.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar