McGinley On Bifurcation: 'Open The Doors For Amateurs To Use Different Clubs'

Europe's 2014 Ryder Cup-winning captain says he is in favour of bifurcation amid longer hitting distances on tour

McGinley On Bifurcation
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Europe's 2014 Ryder Cup-winning captain says he is in favour of bifurcation amid longer hitting distances on tour

McGinley On Bifurcation: 'Open The Doors For Amateurs To Use Different Clubs'

Bifurcation, where professionals use different equipment to amateurs, is always a big topic in golf and is once again being spoken about this week after Colin Montgomerie's recent comments.

Monty said that "the time has come" for bifurcation and that he endorses Jack Nicklaus' idea of a tournament ball that travels 80-85% what it currently does.

The topic is back in the limelight after newly-bulked-up Bryson DeChambeau averaged over 340 yards at the Charles Schwab Challenge.

Colin Montgomerie's fellow winning European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley recently told Golf Monthly that "the horse has bolted" and he has always been  a believer in bifurcation.

"I think the game of golf is a very difficult game and the horse has bolted. The governing bodies have let the horse bolt which is really disappointing because the distance the top players are hitting the ball now is ginormous," McGinley told Golf Monthly.

"Secondly the way the horse has bolted is a problem because the greater your ball speed the greater benefit you get from modern technology.

"So the more you bend the face, the more spring you get, the more spring you get the more distance you have.

"So they have really played into the hands of the already powerful which is really disappointing.

"I have always been a believer in bifurcation.

"I think the game is is very difficult for the normal player, the average handicap of the world is 18 and what I would be in favour of is restricting.

"Restricting the technology rules around the equipment they can use.

"It would make the game easier for them while at the same time holding the professionals where they are and not going any further forward than they are.

"If anything slightly regressing it a little bit. That’s what I believe in.

"Personally I would hold the top level where it is now, absolutely make it stringent so they cant go any further in terms of technology but at the same time I would open up the doors for amateurs to use different, and the technology companies to create different, new ways, new golf clubs and new balls that will help the amateur play a game that is incredibly difficult."

Related: Should the driver head size be reduced? Faldo speaks out and Twitter reacts

Listen to Paul McGinley on last month's podcast:

Do you agree with McGinley's comments or are you a believer of the pros and amateurs using the same gear? Let us know on social media

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV