'It's more accurate'

The United States Golf Association will implement its previously announced second phase of its proposal to update its golf ball test methods beginning with any balls received for conformance testing after May 26. The USGA said the new tests reflect current swing speeds and equipment and improve the speed and accuracy of the testing process.

Phase II updates the USGA's ball test procedures and the resulting Overall Distance Standard (ODS). The current ball test procedure and ODS standard were adopted in 1976 and have remained largely unchanged since that time, including the use of a laminated wooden head to hit the ball.

As one of the changes in Phase II, the USGA will switch to a non-branded titanium club head. Titanium has been the dominant alloy in clubface technology since the mid-1990s. What the USGA termed as a "modern'' non-branded set-up ball will replace the current set-up ball.

The construction of the new set-up ball, USGA Senior Technical Director Dick Rugge told PGA.com, is two-piece, 432 Quasi-Icosahedron dimple design with a Surlyn cover and overall compression of 89.

"The set-up ball is used to make sure that the mechanical golfer is hitting in a consistent manner each time a test is conducted,'' Rugge said.

In addition, Rugge said the USGA will increase the testing swing speed to 120 miles per hour from 109 miles per hour and increase the ODS limit from 296.6 yards to 320 yards. These last two changes reflect the influence that club and ball technology, combined with bigger, stronger players has had on the game the past few years.

"With the adoption of the updated test conditions, we will be testing balls like today's PGA Tour players are hitting balls," said Rugge. "It's more accurate than the old test and more relevant to today's golf."

Phase II follows the first phase of updates that moved all golf ball tests to the USGA's Indoor Test Range at its Research & Test Center located in Far Hills, N.J. The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews will also implement the Phase II proposal in its jurisdiction outside of the United States and Mexico.

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