Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley made it clear the Masters supports the USGA and R&A’s golf ball rollback plans, slated to take effect in 2028 for professionals.
Ridley, speaking during his annual Wednesday press conference on the eve of the Masters, commented on Augusta National’s reluctance to continue lengthening the course—which has consistently occurred over the past two decades.
“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,” Ridley said. “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.”
A complete breakdown of the rollback can be read here but the short summary is that golf’s governing bodies are changing golf ball testing standards to limit distance. The new rules, announced at the end of last year, go into effect Jan. 1, 2028, as they relate to professional golf.
There is skepticism over whether the PGA Tour will adopt the new rules but Ridley said he hoped it would be universally accepted so the golf world could avoid additional heartburn.