Gary Player issues demand on golf equipment issue Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm disagree over

Gary Player says the golf ball rollback needs to be implemented as soon as possible.

Golf's rule makers confirmed before the 2026 U.S. Open that plans to limit how far balls can fly in the professional game have been put on hold until 2030. 

The decision was made, R&A and USGA officials said, because there remains a lack of consensus among the sport's stakeholders, including players, tours, manufacturers and governing bodies.

But nine-time major champion Player, now 91 years old, argues action needs to be taken as soon as possible to "save the game as we know it" and preserve the most prestigious courses around the globe.

"The game is changing against my better wishes," he told The Golfer's Journal.

"They [the professionals] can drive at least one par-4 on every golf course they go to. So par is now 67. 

"They're hitting drivers and eight-irons into par-5s. So where are we going?

"And here's the thing. We have never had a big man, a real big man, play golf yet. 

"Wait until the Michael Jordans and Shaq O'Neals come out and play golf. We haven't scratched the surface.

"One day, you'll have this on record. You will see them consistently hitting the ball 500 yards. 

"Already, [long drive world champion] Kyle Berkshire has done it a couple of times.

"When I mentioned 400 yards on British television, they said I was talking tripe. Today it's common.

"We haven't had a big man play yet. They are coming."

Player added that what "perturbs me most" is that every club across the world is spending money to change its course, claiming that at least a trillion dollars is being wasted.

"If you stop the ball going this far, they wouldn't do it," he said. 

"So now, if you cut the ball back, the money that is being spent unnecessarily could go into poor areas to build schools, build golf courses, public golf courses. More people would be playing golf.

"The manufacturers think if we cut the ball back, it's gonna hurt their profits. It's gonna increase the sales of the ball. 

"You'll have a pro ball, and an amateur ball. The average amateur would like to try the pro ball. So the sales are going to be even greater in time.

"To me, we're not channelling our energies in the right direction, and it's unnecessary because we're running out of water in the world. 

"Then there's fertilisation, and I'm a farmer, too much fertilisation is not good. 

"So we're really going the wrong way because I can promise you, they will have to change the golf ball for the pros in the future, and not a ball that goes 10 or 15 yards shorter."

Player's comments come as two of the best golfers in the world offered contrasting views on the subject.

Speaking before the DP World Tour Championship, Rory McIlroy said he was in favour of doing "anything and everything to sort of curb where we're at".

"I think the equipment at the top level needs to be regulated better than where it is right now," said McIlroy. 

"I guess distance is a big issue in the game at the top level because it may negate other skills that were more prevalent in golf 20 or 30 years ago."

McIlroy described himself as a "poster boy" for bifurcation, adding: "I drove it on a couple of greens last week. 

"You could argue that rolling it back for me is not advantageous, but the longest guys are still going to be the longest guys.

"And I think if we can just get a little bit more skill and shot-making back into the game, I think that would be better for everyone."

Two-time major champion Jon Rahm offered a different perspective.

The Spaniard believes the issue lies in golf course design.

"Everything just keeps getting longer," Rahm said.

"When I think a lot of the courses that stand the test of time are narrow, short golf courses where you need to place the golf ball, I use the example of Valderrama, right.

"Valderrama hasn't really changed much since I remember watching it, and it's just difficult every time you play it."

Rahm also pointed out that other courses, such as Colonial and Harbour Town, have also stood the test of time.

"I think there's so much freedom in design in golf that you could make golf courses that are anti-distance," he said.