The debate over rolling back the golf ball has gone on for years, and Sir Nick Faldo believes the answer has been in every golfer's bag all along. And Rory McIlroy agrees with that idea.

Nick Faldo posted a video on X on July 9, 2026, saying that one-inch tees could solve golf's distance problem without costly changes to golf ball manufacturing. He recorded the video during Rory McIlroy's practice visit to Royal Birkdale before The Open, and McIlroy backed the idea in the clip.

"I now believe the answer is right under our noses. It's this fella, the one-inch tee. Recent testing in one of the golf magazines really caught my attention, " said Faldo. "They tested all the different-length tees. Two and a quarter inch was the optimum. The one-inch tee flew 25 yards shorter than the optimum length tee."

The context matters. The USGA and R&A announced that plans for a golf ball rollback have been paused until at least 2030, as reported by Bunkered. It pushed back from a previously proposed 2028 start date. The governing bodies cited the need for more discussions with the PGA Tour and tour players.

Faldo's idea avoids the debate over changing golf equipment. His solution costs very little, as is evident from the video, where he said it would cost about $50 to give every player 18 one-inch tees for a full tournament week.

McIlroy, at Birkdale for a one-day scouting trip with caddie Harry Diamond, didn't need much convincing. McIlroy said he would support using shorter tees to help reduce driving distances in professional golf. He added that it should not be the only change. That said, the sport could also consider adjustments to the golf ball and other equipment. 

McIlroy later told reporters ahead of the Genesis Scottish Open that he had wanted the Birkdale visit to stay quiet.

"I would have liked to have not had it known that I was there, but Faldo couldn't put his phone away," he said, adding, "I love Nick. In fairness, he's great. I had a good time with him. He walked a few holes with me."

Faldo ended the video by holding up a one-inch tee. He said he believes it could be a simple way to reduce driving distances without making expensive equipment changes. He argued that the idea would help keep historic golf courses relevant for today's longer hitters. 

Faldo believes his idea has three big benefits. It costs very little, does not require any equipment changes, and can be tested right away.

What the governing bodies have said so far

The USGA and the R&A have not commented directly on Faldo's idea.

In their latest statement, as published on Golf Monthly, they said they have paused the rollback plan as they are "interested in soliciting views on a possible change."

They said the next step is to review, test, and introduce changes that can reduce driving distance at the highest level of golf.

No binding rule change has been confirmed. The governing bodies have indicated that further testing and stakeholder consultation will continue before any decision is made.

The Open Championship begins at Royal Birkdale on July 16. The distance debate still unresolved heading into the final major of 2026.

What are your thoughts on this one-inch tee?

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi