Bifurcation is a term that refers to the point at which something splits into two parts or branches. (Merriam Webster dictionary.
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It is not a phrase that is often heard, nor at all, but it has become a part of almost every golf story. Tony Jacklin, a legendary player, has suggested something different than the Model Local Rule.where competition organisers could enforce a rule to ensure players use a shorter ball than those currently used by amateurs and professionals.
This idea is not new. The idea of two different types of golf balls was discussed here in 2017.. However, technology is moving fast and players are getting stronger and more fitter. These two rules makers proposed a move to stop players who “threaten golf’s long-term sustainability and undermine the core principle of a broad, balanced set of playing abilities” that should “remain a primary determinant for golf.”
While every golfer will strive to match their professional counterparts’ scores, it is rare to hear anyone comment that it is unfair that they cannot hit the distances of Cameron Young, Rory, Bryson or Rory. This is because accuracy does not always equal distance.
Bryson DeChambeau , the Long Drive World Championship runner up, called the move “the most atrocious thing you could do to the game golf.” Justin Thomas, the current PGA Champion, said that the move was selfish and ignored the fact that “we [professional golfers] are now athletes.”
Two-time major winner, twice winning captain of European Ryder Cup side, added his voice to the debate about length.
Twitter user 78yearold suggested that persimmon woods should be brought back for the professional elite to defeat the bombers.
Pros, bring back the persimmon! End of story !
Tony Jacklin CBE (@jacklin_tony). March 15, 2023
Many responses were in agreement. This suggests that the driver was the hardest to hit with the club and why the classic courses were so challenging.
— Dan Malloy (@DoubleEagleDan) March 16, 2023
Berhard Langer was the last person to win The Masters using persimmon wood in 1993. Justin Leonard and David Love kept one in their bag after most had switched to metal beasts.
I would love to see the top players hitting medium irons into par 4. I think those days are gone.
Tony Jacklin CBE (@jacklin_tony). March 15, 2023
While viewers may like to see par-4s, it is not uncommon for them to enjoy the skill required to navigate the shorter, classic tracks like this week’s Copperhead.
Jacklin appears to admit that the days of par-4s with four-irons or five-irons are gone, but the current move is trying to make it a reality.
