[jeffwarne]

What amazes me is how few think it would be accepted
Think of how many people still play blades that....shouldn't

[Tom_Doak]

They effectively rolled the ball back for the 'rest of the world' in the early 1980s when they went from the 1.62 ball to 1.68. Barely anyone noticed and almost no one complained about the theoretical loss of distance.

way too logical of a post

Actually it took a bit more time than that.  When I was in the UK in 1982-83, there were still many amateurs playing the small ball, but as it fell out of favor with better players, there was downward pressure to make it the "official" ball for local events and then club events, until peer pressure made everybody switch.

Also, it's interesting to note that in all the talk about the evils of "bifurcation", the governing bodies forget to mention that the Rules on the ball were different between the U.S. and the rest of the world for more than 50 years, and then when the R & A switched, the equipment rules were different for tournament players as opposed to amateurs for another 10+ years after that.

[jeffwarne]

They effectively rolled the ball back for the 'rest of the world' in the early 1980s when they went from the 1.62 ball to 1.68. Barely anyone noticed and almost no one complained about the theoretical loss of distance.

way too logical of a post

Actually it took a bit more time than that.  When I was in the UK in 1982-83, there were still many amateurs playing the small ball, but as it fell out of favor with better players, there was downward pressure to make it the "official" ball for local events and then club events, until peer pressure made everybody switch.

Also, it's interesting to note that in all the talk about the evils of "bifurcation", the governing bodies forget to mention that the Rules on the ball were different between the U.S. and the rest of the world for more than 50 years, and then when the R & A switched, the equipment rules were different for tournament players as opposed to amateurs for another 10+ years after that.

and Tom,
the rules are bifurcated now as well with grooves.
The old grooves are legal until 2024, but most organizations have adopted the 2010 groove rule as a condition of competition, which has really put a damper on my own wedge game as I'm just so used to the sole,grind  and bounce of my old wedges.

I'd be curious to try the shorter ball and play a shorter tee-what a concept as much as my feet hurt

[Mike Bowen]

I would love to get my hands on some of those test balls.  I think I could have some fun on my 6500 yard course.

I also wonder why a company like Ping, who doesn't have any skin in the ball game, doesn't come out with a "tournament" ball.  They could be the first to the game and maybe lead the forthcoming charge.

[Jim Sherma]

They look like the old Wilson Pro Staff balls with the truncated dimples from the early 1980's. Those would certainly represent a roll-back compared with the current balls.

[John McCarthy]

They look like the old Wilson Pro Staff balls with the truncated dimples from the early 1980's. Those would certainly represent a roll-back compared with the current balls.

Exactly what I thought, the orange Pro Staff.  The first balls I purchased. 

[Ben Hollerbach]

Photos of the USGA/R&A Bridgestone prototype ball (notice the shallow dimples, which introduced a more "Balata" ball flight, and shorter carries for longer hitters, but slightly longer carries for short hitters)



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That ball's dimple pattern reminds me greatly of the mid 90's Precept EV. I've been surprised that many of Wilson's current low compression balls recently have had very shallow dimples. My guess is there are more modifications to this ball other than just the cover design.

[Tom Bacsanyi]

I would love to get my hands on some of those test balls.  I think I could have some fun on my 6500 yard course.

I also wonder why a company like Ping, who doesn't have any skin in the ball game, doesn't come out with a "tournament" ball.  They could be the first to the game and maybe lead the forthcoming charge.

I'd bet the house the first "tourney" ball comes from the Nicklaus/Bridgestone house.  Nicklaus has always been vocal about a rollback, and Bridgestone has the protos.  I think there is a market for this type of ball even without an official rollback, albeit a small one.  If you are a low handicapper at a short but fun course, you can put some teeth back into it just by switching balls.  Similarly, there are quite a few vintage equipment dorks out there that might like a ball that simulates balata, as you can really only hit flat knucklers with the modern ball off of persimmon. 

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