[Martee]

Curmudgeon Geoff Shackelford is an excellent author when it comes to Golf Course Architecture. He has written numerous books on the subject that are well worth a look if you like golf course design.

While I am familair with the book you mention, I have not read it as yet. When giving his opinion on the "One Ball Rule", does he say which manufacture's ball would be used and which launch conditions would determine which "one ball for all' should be used? Sounds dangerous to give certain players and advantage because their launch conditions match up to the "one ball". Fred Funk and Tiger have different conditions. Should they play the same ball ?

Actaully he in the end is opposed to the competition ball. But he notes that both Callaway and Nike have both supported the idea that something has to be done and that it probably has to be the ball.

His conclusion is that the USGA needs to lock the ball down, move it back to 1995 distances. As Tiger noted that this could be achieved without impacting the majority of amatuer golfers, it would involve controlling the spin (minimum) and the core engery transfer. This way a swing of a certain mph may max out the ball, all speed above that would in effect not add to the ball's distance. I don't know all the science involved, but it has been noted by mfg that the ball characteristics are not linear so it would be a matter to design a ball that would max out. Now mfgs could still create other balls for slower clubhead speeds but higher clubhead speed would gain nothing. The spin is a big factor in restricting distance, especially at higher clubhead speeds.

Now he does think that if the USGA doesn't make a move, expect Augusta to take the lead and the PGA will support them.

It is possible that mfg will all come to agreement and tell the USGA and PGA, back the ball down, but that is only after they can out how they can position themselves. I suspect Callaway and Nike are actively doing this, probably the other mfgs as well, none of the mfg want to see a competition ball come into play. After all how do you hype your product when the pro's play different equipment than is available to non-pro golfers.