ゴルフ統括団体、飛距離抑制する新ボールのルール提案

【ロンドン（英国）ＡＦＰ＝時事】米英のゴルフ統括団体が１４日、ボールの飛距離を抑制する新ボール採用のルールを提案した。（写真は世界ランキング３位のロリー・マキロイ。資料写真）
　ゴルフでは選手の身体能力と技術の進歩に伴って飛距離が伸びており、トップ選手が簡単にコースを攻略することへの懸念が生じている。前週末に行われた米国ツアーのザ・プレーヤーズ選手権では、世界ランキング３位のロリー・マキロイ（北アイルランド）がティーショットで３６２ヤードを飛ばした。
　全英オープンを主催するロイヤル・アンド・エンシェント・ゴルフ・クラブと、ゴルフ規則を作成している全米ゴルフ協会は２０２０年、「飛距離が伸び続ける流れを打破したい」と表明し、そこから用具メーカーと協議を重ねてきた。
　そしてこの日、両団体は「モデルローカルルール（ＭＬＲ）」の一つとして、特別に調整したボールを使う選択肢を各大会の主催者に提供する提案を発表した。
　提案によれば、ボールはラボの環境下でスイングスピード時速１２７マイル（約２０４キロ）で打った場合、飛距離が３２０ヤードに届かないものになっている。これにより、最もヘッドスピードの速い飛ばし屋で、飛距離が平均１４～１５ヤード落ちることが見込まれている。
　採用された場合、ルールは２０２６年１月から施行される。ＭＬＲの対象はエリート大会のみで、趣味のゴルフには影響はない。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2023/03/15-17:00）

Golf's governing bodies have proposed a new rule to give tournament organisers the option to require the use of a distance-reducing ball over fears that elite players are taming courses too easily.
Advances in fitness and technology have enabled golfers to hit the ball further -- at last week's Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, world number three Rory McIlroy hit a tee shot 362 yards.
The R&A, which organises the British Open, and fellow rule-makers US Golf Association (USGA), said in 2020 they intended to break the ever-increasing cycle of hitting distance.
Since then they have been consulting with equipment manufacturers and on Tuesday they announced the proposal of a Model Local Rule (MLR) that would give organisers the option to use specially adapted balls.
Speaking in 2021, Masters chairman Fred Ridley said a specific Masters ball would be a last resort in the battle to limit hitting distances.
The par-five 13th hole at Augusta National has been extended by 35 yards for next month's Masters.
The MLR is intended for use only in elite competitions and, if adopted, would have no impact on recreational golf.
The proposal was sent to equipment manufacturers on Monday and they can provide feedback until August 14. If adopted, it would take effect in January 2026.
Under the proposals, a ball struck at a laboratory-controlled swing speed of 127 miles per hour must not travel more than 320 yards (293 metres).
The change is expected to reduce hitting distance by 14 to 15 yards on average for the longest hitters with the highest clubhead speeds.
Hitting distances at the elite level of the game have consistently increased over the past 20, 40, and 60 years, said USGA CEO Mike Whan.
It's been two decades since we last revisited our testing standards for ball distances. Predictable, continued increases will become a significant issue for the next generation if not addressed soon.
R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said: We believe the proposed Model Local Rule will help us move forward in a way that protects the inherent qualities of the sport and reduces the pressure to lengthen courses.
This is an important issue for golf and one which needs to be addressed if the sport is to retain its unique challenge and appeal.
The US PGA Tour said it would continue its own extensive independent analysis and would collaborate with the USGA and the R&A.
The Tour remains committed to ensuring any future solutions identified benefit the game as a whole, without negatively impacting the Tour, its players or our fans' enjoyment of our sport, it said in a statement.
David Maher, the chief executive of leading equipment company Acushnet, warned the proposal would be detrimental to golf's long-term well-being, stressing the need for a unified set of rules.