'Failure's not an option': Masters chairman has strong words about keeping golf ball in check

Apr. 8—AUGUSTA — Fred Ridley, chairman of the Masters Tournament and Augusta National Golf Club, delivered his strongest words to date about the distance the modern golf ball is traveling and what the game's governing bodies need to do.

"I've commented for the past several years on the subject of distance," Ridley said April 8 in his annual "State of the Masters" address prior to the start of the tournament. "We have been consistent in our support of the governing bodies in their effort to regulate the distance elite players are hitting the golf ball."

Golf's governing bodies, the U.S. Golf Association and the Royal & Ancient, initially set a 2028 start date for a new testing rule that could reduce driving distances by 15 yards for the game's elite players. The rule would then apply to all golfers in 2030.

Now a new proposal calls for a universal start date of Jan. 1, 2030.

"Recognizing that the implementation of the Overall Distance Standard test for golf balls may be delayed to 2030, I want to reemphasize that support and affirm our position as the USGA and R&A represent their collective obligation as custodians of the game," Ridley said. "I also want to be clear that our position is grounded on much more than protecting the Augusta National golf course."

Ridley delivered "Exhibit A" in his remarks, noting that amateur Jackson Herrington was hitting drives over the bunkers at Nos. 1 and 5 in practice for the Masters. That's about a 325-yard carry.

"I've said that we can make changes, but there's not much we can do to make changes to No. 1 unless we tear down the Eisenhower Cabin, and we're not going to do that," Ridley said. "We'll make changes when we can, but I think it's time to really address this issue. It's been talked about for a long time."

Augusta National famously lengthened its course by 285 yards in 2002 with changes to nine holes. In 2006, the home of the Masters changed six holes and stretched the course another 155 yards.

The course now measures 7,565 yards. Many classic courses don't have the resources to make such changes.

"We will continue to make modifications as are necessary to react to driving distances that in some cases exceed 350 yards," Ridley said. "Unfortunately, many courses, including some iconic venues, do not have that option."

For the 2023 Masters, Augusta National moved the tees back 35 yards on the 13th hole. The par-5 has long been held as a classic example of risk and reward, but prior to lengthening it was likely a 3-wood off the tee and a mid-iron to the green for the world's best players.

"The scoring average, the number of birdies and eagles, has not materially changed. What has changed is the way the hole is played today and, I think, the excitement of the hole," Ridley said.

"For example, before we added the yardage to 13, only about 60 percent of the field hit drivers. Now it's 90 percent. We had an interesting statistic, I do remember, from the first year that we had the added length, and that is we actually had more players going for the green than in the previous year."

Bobby Jones, who co-designed Augusta National with Alister MacKenzie, said it should be a "momentous decision" on whether to go for the green in two shots.

"So I think the hole is now playing more like it was designed to play," Ridley said. "There are going to be more longer irons and even some fairway metals that are played. I think that's the way we want the hole to play."

In 2023, the USGA and R&A proposed a Model Local Rule that reduces distances at the men's elite level. A "Masters ball," as former Chairman Hootie Johnson once suggested, isn't a "practical solution," Ridley said then.

But he reiterated his desire this week to "come to some agreement."

"My feeling on this subject is failure's not an option," Ridley said.