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Nearly 45,000 Golfers Offer Opinion and Feedback on Proposed Golf Ball Ruling

March 29, 2023
Ball Infographic Wide Clubhouse Slide1

In response to the USGA and R&A’s proposed golf ball Model Local Rule (MLR), TaylorMade invited everyday golfers to voice their opinion by completing a survey regarding the topic of golf ball bifurcation.

Nearly 45,000 golfers across more than 100 countries spanning a variety of ages, abilities and participation levels took the time to complete the survey. Here are the full results.

Are you familiar with the Model Local Rule (MLR) for golf balls used in Elite Competitions that was recently proposed by The United States Golf Association (USGA) and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A)?
  • 93% Yes
  • 7% No
Is the proposed golf ball rule clear to you?
  • 83% Yes
  • 17% No
To the best of your knowledge, do you agree with the proposed golf ball rule?
  • 81% No
  • 19% Yes
Ball Infographic Wide Clubhouse Slide4
Are you for or against bifurcation in the game of golf (i.e., different rule(s) for professionals versus amateurs)?
  • 81% Against
  • 19% For
To the best of your knowledge, do you think the proposed golf ball rule is good for the game of golf?
  • 81% No
  • 19% Yes
Do you think average hitting distances in professional golf need to be reduced?
  • 77% No
  • 23% Yes
How important is it for you to play with the same equipment professional golfers use?
  • 48% Extremely important
  • 35% Moderately important
  • 17% Not at all important
Ball Infographic Wide Clubhouse Slide3
How interested are you in professional golf?
  • 81% Extremely interested
  • 18% Moderately interested
  • 1% Not interested at all

The next generation of golfers said they would be less interested in professional golf if the proposed MLR were to go into effect, with 57 percent of golfers aged 18-34 years old stating they would be less interested, while five percent said they would be more interested.

If the proposed golf ball rule were to go into effect, would it have an impact on your interest in professional golf?
  • 45% Yes, I would be less interested
  • 49% No, I would be just as interested
  • 6% Yes, I would be more interested
Ball Infographic Wide Clubhouse Slide5
If the proposed golf ball rule were to go into effect, would it have an impact on how much golf you play?
  • 85% No, it wouldn't have an impact
  • 14% Yes, I would play less golf
  • 1% Yes, I would play more golf
Please use up to three words to describe the proposed golf ball rule.
This word cloud depicts the most common words chosen to describe the proposed rule.
This word cloud depicts the most common words chosen to describe the proposed rule.
Is the majority of the golf you play recreational or competitive (i.e., tournaments)?
  • 79% Recreational
  • 21% Competitive
Which captures your handicap index?
  • 0.5 or better 6%
  • 0.6-4.9 13%
  • 5.0 to 9.9 24%
  • 10.0 to 14.9 27%
  • 15.0 to 19.9 17%
  • 20.0 to 24.9 7%
  • 25.0 to 29.9 2%
  • 30.0 or higher 1%
  • I don't have a handicap index 3%
How many years have you played golf?
  • Less than a year 1%
  • 1-2 years 4%
  • 3-5 years 10%
  • 6-10 years 12%
  • 11-15 years 11%
  • 16-20 years 11%
  • More than 20 years 51%
A summary of the notable data from a survey of nearly 45,000 golfers.
A summary of the notable data from a survey of nearly 45,000 golfers.
Golfers from more than 100 countries voiced their opinion on the proposed rule change.
Golfers from more than 100 countries voiced their opinion on the proposed rule change.
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