"This is PATHETIC": Phil Mickelson SLAMS RUMOUR of USGA shortening driver shafts
Phil Mickelson was not happy with the potential changes to the maximum length of driver shafts which could take effect soon.
Phil Mickelson has slammed rumours that the USGA may be changing the maximum length that is allowed on driver shafts.
According to reports, the maximum length of a driver shaft could be altered to 46 inches as opposed to 48 inches, which Mickelson believes promotes "violent swings" and makes golf "less fun."
"Word is USGA is soon rolling back driver length to 46inches. This is PATHETIC.1st it promotes a shorter more violent swing (injury prone,) doesn’t allow for length of arc to create speed, and during our 1st golf boom in 40 years, our amateur gov body keeps trying to make it less fun," Lefty posted on his Instagram page.
The six-time major champion revealed on Twitter that his driver shaft spans 47.5 inches, so these potential changes to the length of his driver could have a significant impact on his long game.
Back in February, the R&A announced that in order to combat the increasing distance that players hit their ball, they could scale back the maximum length of drivers to less than 48 inches.
Word is USGA is soon rolling back driver length to 46inches.This is PATHETIC.1st it promotes a shorter more violent swing (injury prone,) doesn’t allow for length of arc to create speed,and during our 1st golf boom in 40 years,our amateur gov body keeps trying to make it less fun
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) August 27, 2021
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Both the R&A and USGA said that this new regulation could be introduced this year and impact the 2021 season, however, no such changes have been confirmed so far.
"Last February, before the pandemic changed all of our lives, we finished two years of research into the impact of distance on our sport," said R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers earlier this year.
"At that point, we concluded that longer distances, longer courses, and a longer time to play, was all taking the game in the wrong direction."
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"Limiting the driver length to 46 inches is a short-term conclusion, because we had consulted with the industry on that four years ago."
As we say, nothing has been set in stone yet but it will be fascinating to see if any more PGA Tour players share the same views as Mickelson in the coming days.
