America 250: Bobby Jones
Bobby Jones was born on March 17, 1902 in Atlanta, Georgia, and became one of the greatest amateur golfers in history. As a teenager, he reached the third round of the US Amateur at age 14, showing early promise. He went on to win 13 major championships, all as an amateur, a record that still stands. In 1930, Jones achieved the
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President Donald Trump has shared his opinion on the recent announcement about rolling back the golf ball and, as is often the case, his opinion on the topic at hand does not necessarily coincide with that of the majority.
The USGA and the R&A, golf’s two governing bodies, originally shared a plan in 2023 that saw golf ball development change, making balls travel up to 15 yards shorter at the professional level and up to five yards shorter for amateurs. This was a direct approach to ranged combat and the view that it had gotten out of hand with new technologies.
The original announcement nearly three years ago implied a staggered start that would take effect at the professional level in 2028 and for all other golfers in 2030.
US President Donald Trump tees off on a new 18-hole course at Trump International Golf Links on July 29, 2025 in Balmedie, near Aberdeen, Scotland. President Trump is visiting Scotland on a trip that is part vacation and part work, staying at his Trump Turnberry golf course, followed by Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, between July 25 and 29. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
TEENAGE PHENOMENON MILES RUSSELL MAKES THE ENTIRE GOLF WORLD FEEL OLD WITH AWESOME QUOTE BEFORE HIS US OPEN DEBUT
On Wednesday, on the eve of the 2026 US Open, the USGA and R&A announced that plans to roll back the golf ball have been paused until at least 2030.
Trump praised the decision to pause efforts to roll back the golf ball in a Truth Social post Wednesday night.
“Congratulations to Commissioner Brian Rolapp, the PGA Tour and the governing bodies, and also the great US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, for a GREAT VICTORY in which the USGA wanted to go back the distance of a golf ball, for whatever reason, and are now prevented from doing so, at least for a long number of years,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“It was a ridiculous idea, that no one wanted, especially PGA Tour players, and people who don’t want to go to a course, to be told that their drives will be 20 yards shorter. What the USGA should do is agree that, in the distant future, they will not allow the current ball to go any further. In other words, they will keep the ball the same! The game of golf is ‘hot as a gun.’ The last thing we should do is tell people that, for no reason, they won’t do it. being able to hit a ball as far as before. Has anyone ever heard of something so ridiculous?
US President Donald Trump tees off after opening his new golf course at his Trump International Golf Links complex on July 29, 2025 in Balmedie, Scotland. US President Donald Trump is visiting his Trump Turnberry golf course, as well as Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, during a short visit to Scotland from July 25-29. (Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images)
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Trump’s suggestion that “no one wanted” golf ball technology to change to combat distance is not true. The debate in golf, especially at the professional level, is completely divided.
US President Donald Trump attends the 2025 Ryder Cup on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on September 26, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. In his second term, Trump has attended several major sporting events. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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Many, if not most, people involved in golf recognize that the technology of both modern golf balls and drivers has gotten out of hand. Several golf courses have become “too short” for professional and elite players.
As for the approach golf’s governing bodies have taken to addressing the issue, that’s where opinions differ even more. The “how” to effectively control the distance golf balls possess today is the million-dollar question, and this delay shows that the powers that be also need time to play.
