“It's just so bad for the game of golf” - Justin Thomas criticizes the golf balls rule by R&A and USGA

Justin Thomas, an American professional golfer who has won the US Open championship, is considered one of the finest players at present. He was recently seen criticizing the new golf balls rule by R&A and USGA.

According to the new rules, the golf balls for premier competitions should only go as far as the prescribed distance. Balls which can go longer have to be changed. The R&A and USGA plan to implement these rules from January 2026.

Former number one Thomas is disappointed with the rule and heavily criticized it by saying:

"You're trying to create a solution for a problem that doesn't exist. To me, it's just so bad for the game of golf."

Justin Thomas of the United States

Justin Thomas added that the fact that amateur golfers and professional golfers use the same ball is nothing wrong but a boon in disguise.

"The great thing to me is the fact that you can play the exact same golf ball that I play, for an everyday amateur golfer, it's very unique that we are able to play the exact same equipment."

The idea behind this change in rules is to negate the need for longer courses due to the increase in distances that golfers are able to achieve in their drives. Thomas criticized the new rule by saying that improvement in players' ability is part of evolution.

"We're athletes now. Like, we're training to hit the ball further and faster and if you can do it, so good for you. So yeah, as you can tell, I'm clearly against it."

Justin Thomas of the United States

Bryson DeChambeau, a former US Open Champion who is currently signed with LIV Golf, told the league's website that this rule was the most 'atrocious' thing ever in the game of golf.

The head of Acushnet, a company that makes the most well-liked Titleist balls on the tour, blasted the "bifurcation" that divides regulations for competitive and leisure play.

However, Brandon Matthews, whose average swing speed on the PGA Tour is the quickest at 126.6mph, told the Golf Channel that he supports the suggestions.

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What is the new golf ball rule that R&A and USGA proposed?

The R&A and USGA have jointly proposed a chaotic new rule at the local level. They announced that the new rules would come into effect, if passed, from January 2026.

The new rules will see a change in golf balls and have new testing norms for them. It would also define how much height a ball can fly after a stroke is played.

Valspar Championship 2023

According to the R&A and USGA, a new set of requirements have been sent to equipment manufacturers and they will be asked to send in their suggestions before August 14, 2023. They also added that the new rules will be used in some top competitions but will not have an effect on recreational golf.

In 2026, they want to apply the change at their flagship tournaments, the Open and US Open.