Augusta National On Distance Debate - "We Are At A Crossroads"

Augusta's Chairman Fred Ridley says the game is at a crossroads and increased distance is not good for the game

Augusta National On Distance Debate
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Augusta's Chairman Fred Ridley says the game is at a crossroads and increased distance is not good for the game

Augusta National On Distance Debate - "We Are At A Crossroads"

Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley says that golf is at a crossroads when it comes to the distance debate and that increased hitting distances are not good for the game.

Ridley has also said that the par-5 13th hole will not be lengthened ahead of April's Masters as the season is already underway, despite admitting that the challenge of the hole is being diminished.

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Bryson DeChambeau has already said this week that he hit a wedge into the 13th and that he thinks of the course as a par 68.

Ridley also said that a call to action on the distance debate will come in April when the R&A and USGA concludes its latest Distance Insights Report.

"I think we are at a crossroads as relates to this issue," Ridley said.

"We have always been very supportive of the governing bodies; we will continue to be supportive.  We think that it's good that the game of golf is governed by the USGA and The R&A. We think they are great stewards of the game.

"But I'm hopeful that with the work and the studies that have been ongoing for some time, and I understand that in April there's to be some sort of publication of their conclusions, I do think that we're coming closer to a call to action.

"And all I can say is that, as it relates to our golf course, we have options, and we will take the necessary action to make sure we stay relevant.

"But as it relates to the 13th hole, I totally agree with you. It still provides a lot of drama, but its challenge is being diminished.

"We don't think that's good for the Masters. We don't think it's good for the game.

"But the issue is a lot larger than Augusta National and the Masters. We have options, as I said, we can make changes, but not every golf course can.

"Having said that, it's a balance because the next question is, obviously, or should be, well, you don't want to make the game harder.

"On one hand we want to say we want to grow the game, and on the other hand we're saying we're worried about distance.

"I think everybody just has got to get their head together and figure it out."

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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