Proposals unveiled to limit hitting distance for elite golfers

Proposals unveiled to limit distance for elite golfers. Image: Bohbeh / Shutterstock.com

The MLR is intended for use only in elite competitions and, if adopted, will have no impact on recreational golf.

In what is certain to be a major story in the months and years to come, The R&A and USGA have revealed their joint proposal for a Model Local Rule (MLR) that gives competition organisers the option to require the use of golf balls that are tested under modified launch conditions to address the impacts of hitting distance in golf.

Golf balls that conform to the MLR must not exceed the current Overall Distance Standard (ODS) limit of 317 yards (plus three yards tolerance) at modified Actual Launch Conditions (ALC) with a clubhead speed of 127 mph and based on a calibration set-up for 11 degrees and 37 revolutions per second (2220 rpm) as part of this proposal.

All other balls, including those typically used by recreational golfers with lower swing speeds, would continue to be tested using the existing ALC values (120 mph, and a calibration set-up of 10 degrees and 42 revolutions per second – 2520 rpm).


Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Do remember to come back and check The Euro Weekly News website for all your up-to-date local and international news stories; remember, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Author badge placeholder
Written by

Anna Ellis

Originally from Derbyshire, Anna has lived in the middle of nowhere on the Costa Blanca for 19 years. She is passionate about her animal family including four dogs and four horses, musicals and cooking.

Comments