TaylorMade, one of the leading original equipment manufacturers in golf, have issued a statement in response to the R&A and USGA’s joint announcement that new rule changes were being implemented that would see new specifications required for golf balls which will decrease the distance a ball flies.
The rule changes are set to come into the professional game in 2028, and become effective in the amateur game in 2030, and TaylorMade CEO David Abeles feels that the decision “is disappointing” and “simply disconnected from what golfers believe is best for the game.”
Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson are among the game’s elite players who use TaylorMade balls, and despite being in disagreement about the necessity for the rollback, Abeles ensures us that the manufacturer will be “well-prepared to navigate these changes.”
The full statement from TaylorMade can be read below.
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STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO USGA ANNOUNCEMENT
As a brand that prioritizes improving product performance for golfers of all skill levels, the decision to proceed with the golf ball rollback is disappointing. While appreciative of the opportunity to have a seat at the table and a voice in the debate, we feel like the rollback is simply disconnected from what golfers believe is best for the game.
Throughout the decision-making process, the USGA provided a platform to express our views, provide new data sources, and engage in candid discussions. In the spirit of collaboration, we acknowledge and respect the rules that form an integral part of our game’s fabric, even when we disagree with them. Looking ahead, as the new golf ball standards come into effect in 2028 for professional golfers and 2030 for amateurs, we assure everyone, at every level of our game, that we will be well-prepared to navigate these changes.
Our commitment to innovation remains unwavering. As with every product we make, we will work tirelessly to find alternative pathways to make them better and we will continually push the performance boundaries within the parameters set by the rules.
David Abeles, CEO, TaylorMade Golf
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