R&A sent me an English document, so I will paste the Japanese translation. At my driving distance, I think the impact is less than 5 yards. You need McIlroy-level flying distance to get mad at this content lol
==Japanese translation below==
The R&A and USGA announce decision to revise golf ball testing conditions starting in 2028 - Revised testing conditions to address consistent distance gains and sustainability of golf - Minimize impact on the recreational game December 6, 2023, St. Andrews, Scotland, Liberty Corner, New Jersey, USA: The R&A and USGA have updated the testing conditions used for golf ball suitability under the Overall Distance Standard (ODS), It will be applied from January 2019. This decision aims to reduce the impact of increased ball hitting distance on the long-term sustainability of golf, while minimizing the impact on the recreational game. The revised ball test conditions are as follows: club head speed 125 mph (equivalent to ball speed 183 mph), spin rate 2220 rpm, and launch angle 11 degrees. The current requirements, established 20 years ago, are set at 120 mph (corresponding to a ball speed of 176 mph), 2,520 rpm, and a 10-degree launch angle. The revised conditions are based on several years of World Tour and competition data analysis, and show that the ODS (its upper limit remains unchanged at 317 yards, with a 3-yard margin of error) increases the ability of competitive long hitters. It is intended to ensure that it continues to be represented. An analysis of golf's long hitters' ball speeds in 2023 found that the fastest 10 players had an average ball speed of 186 mph, and the fastest 25 players had an average ball speed of 183.4 mph (the fastest players averaged 190 mph). . Long hitters can expect their drives to travel 13 to 15 yards shorter. The average pro tour or elite male player can expect a reduction of 9 to 11 yards, and the average LET or LPGA player can expect a reduction of 5 to 7 yards. For most recreational golfers, changes in test speed can be expected to affect distance by less than 5 yards. Research shows that the average swing speed for male golfers is 93 mph, while for female players it is 72 mph. Existing balls approved for compliance in 2027 can continue to be used by recreational golfers until January 2030 to give golfers, manufacturers, and retailers additional time to adjust. These decisions are in line with the commitments made by the governing body at the beginning of the project. A significant portion of golf ball models currently on the market, and over 30% of all golf ball models submitted for compliance across the game, will remain compliant after this change is applied. It is expected. Martin Slumbers, CEO of the R&A, said: "We believe this decision is one of the key ways we can deliver a sustainable future for golf, protect the integrity of the game and fulfill our environmental responsibility. The steps we take are carefully considered and calibrated, while maintaining the "One Game" philosophy that we believe is so important to the golf industry. Importantly, we provide recreational golfers with "We are taking action now because we want future generations to enjoy the unique challenge of golf as much as we have." “Governance is difficult. And while thousands of people will argue we have done too much, just as many will argue that we have not done enough to protect golf in the long term.” "But from the beginning, we've tried to be unbiased and do what's right for the game. As we've said, doing nothing is not an option. And if we now... If we do not take appropriate action, we will be failing our responsibility to protect the future of the game." The decision was announced through the Distance Insights project, which was launched in 2018 to collect data, share research, and solicit input from golf course owners, players, and stakeholders across the game. It follows the most thorough and comprehensive examination of the issue in history. The data provided by the world's seven major tours is also analyzed by the governing body, which has published an annual distance report since 2015. This report follows the joint conclusion of the Distance Insights Project governing bodies that: The implications of hitting distance in golf are the continuing trend of increasing ball hitting distance and correspondingly increasing course length. This article shares why addressing this issue is important for the long-term sustainability of games. All golf ball and club manufacturers were notified of this decision on Tuesday with full technical details and implementation schedule. This decision letter considers extensive research and feedback received from manufacturers and other industry stakeholders over a six-year process and includes multiple areas of interest and the 2021 Device Rulemaking process. This follows a proposal initiated by Copies of letters and technical documents are available at www.RandA.org/distanceinsights. The extensive feedback received indicated a global feeling that having a single set of rules and equipment standards is critical to the sport and should apply across the game. As a result of feedback from manufacturers, the schedule has been extended to 2028 to allow time to innovate and manufacture new products for elite and recreational players. In addition to the new ball test conditions, the governing body will: - Expand the test methodology to better detect driver creep (driving drivers exceeding the limits set in the Equipment Regulations); This changes the way submitted drivers are tested, identifying driver models with characteristic time (CT) values that are within current tolerances and likely to exceed limits through normal use, and aggressively This is to deal with. - Continue to monitor drivers and explore additional distance options. Specifically, we will investigate driver forgiveness and performance on off-center hits. This is an ongoing review, and we are seeking input from the industry, including manufacturers, to identify driver design features that can be regulated as a means to reward hits and misses at the center impact location. We will continue to work with the industry to The R&A and the USGA are guided by an overarching principle of preserving the fundamental elements of golf. This means protecting the integrity of the golf course, including its entire length, and ensuring that a variety of skills are required to be successful. Longer golf courses require more resources such as water, the cost of renovating or moving elements such as tees and bunkers continues to rise, and the long-term effects of longer distances have also been noted. . The governing body believes that these economic and environmental impacts must be reduced if the sport of golf is to enjoy a sustainable long-term future. The overall distance standard was first introduced in 1976 and has been updated three times in the past (1980, 2002, and 2004). Test speed has not been updated since 2004, when the current standards were based on the longest hitters of the time. Research details and complete technical data for the Distance Insights project are available at www.RandA.org/distance-insights.