Golf’s ongoing rollback debate has taken its latest turn.
Earlier this week, the USGA and R&A sent out their fourth notice of 2026 to manufacturers regarding potential solutions to increase distances at the highest levels of golf. This time, governing bodies are seeking feedback on three possible model local rules (MLRs) that could slow the rapid gains in distance as regulators continue to consider a proposed golf ball rollback.
The three potential MLRs were suggested by the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, which began working in consultation with the USGA and R&A in June, when the four organizations. jointly announced the delayed implementation of any golf ball rollback proposal.
These three MLR options will be enacted only at the highest levels of golf (that is, they will not affect your bag) and could be implemented from January 2028:
(a) Require the use of a golf ball model included on the List of Conforming Golf Balls with an overall distance of 317.0 yards or less when tested by the USGA or the R&A.
(b) Requiring the use of a driver head of a model and loft included on the List of Compliant Driver Heads, and when tested before the competition, has a maximum CT of 239 microseconds.
(c) Limit the maximum allowable length of all clubs (other than putters) to a limit that is less than the 46-inch limit imposed by MLR G-10.
So what does this mean in real numbers?
Governing bodies consider the following Local Rules for Tours:
1. Ball attempting to ODS < 317.0 yds:
Current proof is 317 +3 tolerance. So just reducing from the 3yd tolerance. (?)2. Reduction in flex of the clubface:
CT… https://t.co/LPXOoxF5BJ pic.twitter.com/RMz7GLl0YZ– The Golf Engineer (@engineeringolf) September 21, 2026
At first glance, the first two proposed rules do not seem so different from the current rules, but in particular they eliminate the tolerances previously allowed.
Previously, golf ball conformance testing allowed for a tolerance of three yards allowing balls flying 320 yards to be considered conforming. This is different from the current one rollback proposalwhich increases the swing speed used in these tests from 120 mph to 125 mph.
Likewise, the CT driver rule change (Characteristic Time) omits the 18 microsecond buffer that allows heads measuring up to 257 microseconds to comply.
The length change creates a new constraint later drivers were limited to 46 inches starting in 2022 with a similar MLR, after the pros began to experiment with constructions up to 48 inches and Phil Mickelson won the PGA Championship with a 47.9-inch driver.
Today, most PGA Tour players use drivers shorter than 45.5 inches, and many even shorter than 45 inches, calling into question how much of an impact this change could have. Some players, like Jordan Spieththey’ve gone to longer 46 inch driver builds to take advantage of the more stable modern driver heads, but it’s still a small minority.
None of these rules have any effect on the recreational game, since MLRs are only designed to be used at the highest professional levels of golf, such as the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.
The USGA will accept comments on the proposed rules until Oct. 21.
The notice also came with a section stating that the governing bodies are still looking at other changes to the rules to reduce the effect of the increased distance on the game.
The driving distance on the PGA Tour has increased once again in 2026 with the average distance in measured units reaching 306 yards, more than 3 yards from 2025 and more than 16 yards in the last 10 years. The Tour saw its first two golfers, Aldrich Potgieter and Rory McIlroy, average more than 330 yards off the tee in 2026, breaking McIlroy’s 2023 record of 326.3 yards.
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