Scottie Scheffler vents frustration at golf’s distance problem on eve of The Open

Scottie Scheffler vents frustration at golf’s distance problem on eve of The Open

Scheffler Sounds Off on Golf’s Distance Dilemma Ahead of The Open

World number one Scottie Scheffler took center stage at Royal Troon on Tuesday, addressing golf’s ongoing distance debate during his pre-tournament press conference. With the Open Championship looming, Scheffler didn’t hold back on the contentious topic of the golf ball rollback, a measure set to reshape the professional game from 2028.

 

For years, golf’s rule makers, including the R&A and USGA, have grappled with the challenge posed by ever-increasing driving distances. Their solution? A new mandate requiring professionals to use golf balls that don’t travel as far, aiming to reduce driver distance by 13-15 yards.

 

“I get frustrated sometimes when the solution to distance is just making holes further and further,” Scheffler remarked, specifically pointing to Troon’s short but notorious eighth hole, the Postage Stamp. Measuring a mere 120 yards, this hole is poised to challenge even the most skilled players, with the potential for high scores lurking at every turn.

 

Bryson DeChambeau predicted “diabolical” scenes, while Tiger Woods humorously summed up the hole’s simplicity: “Green good, miss green bad.”

 

Scheffler, reflecting on the Postage Stamp, stated, “No. 8 is a good little way to almost step back in time and control your ball a bit more. You don’t have to make a par-three 230 yards to make it a great hole. It can be 120 yards. Holes like 12 at Augusta and 17 at Sawgrass show that the best par-threes in the world are short ones.”

 

Elaborating on the value of short par-threes, Scheffler added, “If I don’t hit the green on No. 8, it’s most likely going to be a bogey unless you’re in the front. If you miss it in the right bunker or the left bunker, you’re lucky if you escape with just a bogey. Short holes like that are fun and an underrated skill is controlling your ball. We should encourage that in our game rather than just lengthening courses.”

 

Turning his attention to bunker play, Scheffler praised recent changes made by the R&A. “Last year, I thought it was a bit silly how they flattened out each bunker. The bunkers are still penal enough when the ball isn’t up against the lip. It was a matter of luck whether your ball would bury into the face. As long as you build a bit of slope, it allows players to get out of the bunker, presenting risk and reward scenarios around the greens and fairways.”

 

Scheffler lauded the return to more traditional bunker raking methods. “I love how they changed how they rake the bunkers this year, with more traditional sloping coming off the walls. It leaves more opportunity for great shots and strategic play.”

 

Scheffler’s highly anticipated debut at Royal Troon will be alongside Jordan Spieth and Cameron Young, with the trio set to tee off at 15.10pm BST on Thursday. GolfMagic will provide live text updates throughout the final men’s major of the year, ensuring fans don’t miss a moment of the action.