“Government statement”: Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, addressed a few things at the traditional media event ahead of the 2024 US Masters that don’t just concern the AGNC or the first major of the year. And above all, he made it clear that the grandees in green are completely and almost enthusiastically behind the USGA and R&A’s decision to curb ball flight distances. “For almost 70 years, the Masters was played at just over 6,900 yards. Today the course measures 7,550 yards from the markers, and we may well play one of the tournament rounds this year at more than 7,600 yards. I’ve said in the past that I hope we will not play the Masters at 8,000 yards. But that is likely to happen in the not too distant future under current standards”, explained Ridley on the distance debate. “Accordingly, we support the decisions that have been made by the R&A and the USGA as they have addressed the impact of distance at all levels of the game.”
Augusta Chairman supports golf ball rollback at The Masters 2024
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He also indicated that Augusta would also support other related rule changes such as minimum driver lofts and others. He also warned the PGA Tour, where they had spoken out against a rollback of the ball: “Well, assuming that these regulations are adopted by the PGA Tour and the other tours, and I certainly hope they will be, I think were they not adopted it would cause a great deal of stress in the game, which it doesn’t need right now.”
These statements cannot be overestimated. The success and importance of the Masters have made Augusta National Golf Club an authority without whose support nothing would work in golf. Accordingly, everyone listens when the club boss comments on such topics. Or as Ridley emphasised: “I would go back to really what I believe is one of the key parts of the mission of the club and that is to serve the game of golf.”