USGA, R&A announce universal golf ball rollback to limit distance with implementation set for 2028

The USGA and R&A made a perhaps surprising joint announcement on Wednesday that ball rollback is no longer coming for professional golfers. Instead, it's being implemented for every golfer. Beginning in January 2028, the golf ball will be limited to travel 317 yards (with 3 yards of tolerance) under conditions of 125 MPH club head speed (current conditions are 120 MPH club head speed). Amateurs will have until 2030 to implement the new ball. According to the governing bodies, this will reduce the longest hitters by 13-15 yards while reducing the distance of amateurs a lot less (5 yards or less for most recreational golfers, according to the USGA and R&A).