Should We Roll Back the Ball to Save Courses?

There is a lot of talk at the moment about whether the pro's should have a "shorter" flight ball to reduce the distances they hit the ball. We are seeing pros regularly drive over 350 yds plus, and turning long 7500 yard courses into almost a drive and wedge course making it look realtively straight forward to shoot in the low 60's. In recent times scores of 30 to 32 under par have won tournaments on pretty long courses.

Just recently Ludvig Aberg shot 67-64-61-61 in the RSM classic for his first win on the PGA tour.

Here is a list of all time low PGA tour scores for 72 holes:

• 253 — Ludvig Aberg, 2023 RSM Classic. Scored 67-64-61-61, 29-under par.

• 253 — Justin Thomas, 2017 Sony Open. Scored 59-64-65-65, 27-under par.

• 254 — Dustin Johnson, 2020 Northern Trust. Scored 67-60-64-63, 30-under par.

• 254 — Tommy Armour III, 2003 Texas Open. Scored 64-62-63-65, 26-under par.

• 256 — Phil Mickelson, 2013 Phoenix Open. Scored 60-65-64-67, 28-under par.

• 256 — Russell Henley, 2013 Sony Open. Scored 63-63-67-63, 24-under par.

• 256 — Mark Calcavecchia, 2001 Phoenix Open. Scored 65-60-64-67, 28-under par.

• 257 — Mackenzie Hughes, 2023 RSM Classic. Scored 68-66-60-63, 25-under par.

• 257 — Keegan Bradley, 2023 Travelers Championship. Scored 62-63-64-68, 23-under par.

• 257 — Hideki Matsuyama, 2022 Sony Open. Scored 66-65-63-63, 23-under par.

• 257 — Russell Henley, 2022 Sony Open. Scored 62-63-67-65, 23-under par.

• 257 — Michael Kim, 2018 John Deere Classic. Scored 63-64-64-66, 27-under par.

• 257 — Jimmy Walker, 2015 Sony Open. Scored 66-66-62-63, 23-under par.

• 257 — Tiger Woods, 2007 Tour Championship. Scored 64-63-64-66, 23-under par.

• 257 — Mike Souchak, 1955 Texas Open. Scored 60-68-64-65, 27-under par.

11 out of the 15 scores above happened in the last 10 years......And the courses are MUCH longer in most cases than 20 years ago.....Get the picture?s

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In 2012 in the lead up to London 2012, they had to ban the all in one "fast suits" in Olympic swimmingthat as world records were being broked every day by average swimmers. Thank god they did that as otherwise it would have made a mockery of all the incredible swims and world records from the past. The wisely reinstated all the old wrold records.

Many of the great courses are becoming obsolete due to not being able to lengthen their holes. One of my favourites, Sunningdale Old course is only 6716 yards off the back tee.....It's an iconic course that has hosted so many great championships....I watched from inside the ropes in the 1992 European open when Nick Faldo hit 17 greens in regulation (many with mid and long irons) on the last day and shot a flawless 65 to win by 6 from Robert Karlson. I was gobsmacked at the skill level....Nowadays a 62 or 63 doesn't get that much attention....They are everywhere.

I like to see the worlds best golfers display their skills be being challenged by very hard shots....hitting long irons into small greens for example from time to time. Seeing them go in from 100yds and under most of the time and making "easy birdies" on 480yd par 4's gets boring after a while in my opinion.....But what's your view. Take the poll below....

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Should we roll the ball back or lengthen courses?

• Roll back the ball
• Lengthen golf courses

l the ballRo