Masters Chairman Urges Action on Golf Ball Distance

During his annual State of the Masters address, Fred Ridley warned that increased driving distances threaten the integrity of Augusta National and the sport. He supported the USGA and R&A’s proposal to implement an Overall Distance Standard test in 2030, aiming to reduce elite player drives by 15 yards and apply the rule to all golfers by 2030.

Ridley cited amateur Jackson Herrington’s 325‑yard drives in practice as evidence that current courses, like Augusta’s 7,565‑yard layout, cannot keep up without significant changes. He emphasized that protecting the Masters is not just about the course but about preserving the game’s heritage.