Cameron Young using ball that would likely conform under rollback: Sources

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 07: Cameron Young of United States of America hits a drive at the fourteenth hole during the first round of the Truist Championship 2026 at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 07, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. – The USGA and R&A’s goal to rein in how far the game’s best players hit the golf ball took a curious turn Tuesday when multiple sources confirmed that Cameron Young has been using a golf ball that would very likely be deemed conforming under the new testing standards.

The USGA and R&A announced in December 2023 a plan to change the Overall Distance Standard (ODS), which would roll back the ball for elite players by 13 to 15 yards in driver distance, according to the rule maker’s original statement. Essentially, the “testing conditions” would increase to 125-mph clubhead speed and an 11-degree launch angle from the current 120-mph clubhead speed and 10-degree launch angle. The testing limit of 317 yards (with 3 yards of tolerance) remains unchanged.

But those estimates, which have been challenged by some manufacturers as well as the PGA of America, will be scrutinized in the wake of Young’s move to a Titleist Pro V1x Double Dot at last year’s Wyndham Championship.

Although there is currently no conforming list of golf balls using the new standard, sources confirmed the Pro V1x Double Dot was tested and conformed under the new conditions.

The ball was designed to produce less spin – not to conform to the new standard, which is currently set to begin in 2028, although the rule makers have suggested implementation may be pushed back to 2030 – allowing Young to better control his irons and wedges. Normally that kind of trade off comes with slightly shorter drives, but that was not the case for Young.

Before last year’s Wyndham Championship, which Young won for his first PGA Tour victory, he ranked 17th on Tour in driving distance (all drives) with a 302.7-yard average. He has the exact same average (302.7 yards) in 2026 and, anecdotally, he hit the longest recorded drive in the ShotLink era on the final hole at The Players Championship (375 yards) on his way to victory.

The USGA declined to comment.

About a half-dozen players have used the same golf ball on the PGA Tour since last fall and Young’s performance with it since then will certainly fuel opponents of the rollback.

According to various sources, golf balls that would be deemed conforming under the new standard do not impact players uniformly. Players who spin the golf ball more, like Young, don’t see as much of a drop off in speed and distance as those who spin the ball less.