Good news … at long last the R&A have decided to halt the advancement of technology and the need for longer and longer golf courses. Finally we can get back to how golf used to be played.
Last week I spoke to some of my golf course architect friends during the European Institute of Golf Course Architects conference held in St Andrews and many said if things carry on the way they were going, they would be designing 9000 yard courses by 2015!
Experts around the world have said for the last 20 years, that changes have to be made to the ball, and that’s exactly what has happened.
This morning the R&A will announce the reintroduction of the Gutta Percha ball, effective from Thursday 15th July 2010.
To begin with only professionals playing in R&A sanctioned events will be forced to play the affectionately known “Gutty”.
Interestingly this type of ball is made by boiling and then molding the latex-like sap from trees native to the Maylay peninsula. Rumour has it that Titleist have been working closely with a supplier in South East Asia, in a bid to secure the best crop of Sapodilla trees.
Robert Adams, CEO of Titleist, has already said on their Facebook page that they welcome this move by the game’s governing body and will be launching the new Titleist Gutty V1 in early May.
On a personal level it will great to see holes such as the par 5 5th hole ( “Hole O’Cross” ) on the Old Course play as a real 3 shoter during the Open in July.
Expect to see the full press release on the official R&A site later today at http://www.randa.org
Let me know your reaction by leaving a comment below. I understand not everyone will be happy with this new move.
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Way to go, Andy. I told my golf buddy months ago about your gutty story, and he didn’t believe it. I noticed at the Open this year that you were wrong, and I didn’t clue in that this was an April Fool’s joke until today, July 18.
May all your shots end up in pot bunkers.
Andy, I rang the Titleist rep and have organized for a few cartons of the new Gutty’s. He is going to deliver them on one of their flying pigs.
I have had a bit of fun with your story at the Club.
Regards
Gary
Andy,
I couldn’t agree more with this move. Jack Nicklaus was advocating just this as early as the ’80′s. We are running out of areas big enough to accommodate a modern golf course. In the long run does it matter if a good drive is only 180 yds. and not the enormous distances achieved with today’s technology? It also makes it easier to follow the flight of the ball, particularly for those of lesser visual accuity.
Roger
And a happy 1stApril to you Andy.
Mind you things do come round again, think of the advantage us ancient golfers would have with our experience of playing the “Gutty” in our youth
and april fool to you to
nice one andy you had me going there. i even looked at the r&a website, well done andy
What about hickory shafts?
Thanks Andy, you did get me and to think I passed it on to my brother-in-law who is a senior professsional saying that “Hey, perhaps there is hope for him yet!”
What an idiot!!
Fiona
I have this feeling that your finding is an April Fools joke, as even if the ball could be produced I think the monster swing speed players of today would tear these balls appart. Either way, happy April Fools Day to you, and a happy Easter to you also. Thanks for all the information you have provided me.
Happy April Fools Day.
Dear Andy,
It is now 2/4/10 here in Australia but we can recognise an April fools joke as well as anyone.
Good luck
Michael
Hi Andy,
You realy fooled me with this one.
Best regards
Jens
Hi Andy
Happy April 1st to you also.
PS
I am still using the gutta ball-I haven’t lost a ball for over 20 years!!
April 1 comes early in St. Andrews, I guess, or Andy needs to imbibe in a few less pints at the Royal I Wish Inn! It would be great to watch the pros struggle to hit the ball any further than I do!
I thought the European Tour was falling into a sticky wick, but this would put it on par with the North Korean and Tibetan PGA Tours!
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