Nick Price, the former world number one in golf, is considered a gentleman. But when it comes to golf equipment or what the advances in technology has done to the sport, the former No. The three-time major winner and World Golf Hall of Famer, Nick Price, doesn’t mince words.
Price said Golfweek at the PNC Championship, in Orlando last week. He was partnered with his son Greg. Ask any old guy – they will say that you complain a lot and the new generation works harder than you. Well, I can think of five guys who are bigger than me and still hit the ball 340 yards. Don’t tell me this yarn because everyone works out. Many guys work out. That’s great. They do the right thing and everything. But the sweet spot of the driver has grown to the size of a small peach. It was about the size of pea when I played. I don’t think we should go back to Persimmon Woods, but on these golf courses you have 620-yards par 5s that are being reached with driver-4-iron. “Something needs to be changed.”
Nick Price, winner of the British Open 1994 at Turnberry in Scotland. (Photo: Phil Sheldon/Popperfoto/Getty Images)
Price, a native of Zimbabwe won 18 times on the PGA Tour. He also earned two PGA Tour Player of the Year Awards (in 1993 and 1994) and spent 43 weeks at the top of the world rankings. The No. 1 golfer in the world.
The 66-year old is not just another “old man” who has an opinion. As a U.S. member, he has been involved in the entire process. Golf Association Executive Committee and the Championship and Equipment Standards Committees for the last five years.
He said: “I was very vocal about it. It was the ball, the driver, the grooves.”
The USGA and R&A both announced earlier this month that rules for testing golf balls will be changing beginning Jan. 1, 2028. The governing bodies are trying to stop golfers from hitting the ball further and courses becoming longer.
The announcement was made after many years of discussion, study, and communication between the USGA, R&A, and stakeholders such as golf equipment manufacturers, PGA Tour, PGA of America, and other groups prominent in the world of golf.
Price expressed a tepid response to the decision by the governing bodies to move the ball back in 2028 for professionals and 2030 for recreational golfers.
He said, “It is a small step.” “A lot people don’t do anything about this.”
In the beginning, USGA and R&A had proposed a Model Local Rule which would have required only elite men to use distance-reducing golf balls. Under the new rules, all players will be required to use the distance-reducing balls.
Price was asked about his position on the possibility of bifurcation. He replied, “I believed there could be such a thing.” It was an alternative. We discussed the fact that if you were to play in a USGA Championship, you would have to use specific clubs and balls. But that’s not going to happen.”
