Essential Golf: A passion for the Game

USGA and The R&A Ask Key Questions

USGA and The R&A Ask Key Questions. Image courtesy Shutterstock.
USGA and The R&A Ask Key Questions. Image courtesy Shutterstock.

What do you think makes golf most interesting to watch?

Do you think recreational golfers are hitting shots farther than they did five years ago?

Do you think elite/professional golfers are hitting shots farther than they did five years ago?

What do you think should be most important to success in the game of golf?

In September the global golf community was invited by the USGA and The R&A to answer these key questions as a data-gathering exercise on distance in golf, as part of the Distance Insights project.

Participants who indicate interest while taking the survey may be invited to take part in follow-up telephone interviews or online group conversations to gather deeper perspectives on the topic.

The USGA and The R&A Distance Insights project

While individual responses will be confidential, anonymized global survey results will be published in the final Distance Insights project report, to be delivered in 2019.

The USGA and The R&A will also accept relevant original or commissioned data and research directly related to distance via email until December 20, 2018. Individuals or organizations may also request to present their data in person.

The USGA and The R&A embarked on the Distance Insights project in May to initiate the most comprehensive global study of distance in golf to date. Through primary and third-party research, a detailed research and data review and the collection of views from throughout the golf industry, the aim is to achieve better understanding of the contributors to and impacts of distance on golf. 

Insight from the global golf community

“We’re inviting perspectives and opinions from the global golf community because we recognize the topic of distance is one that potentially impacts us all in some capacity,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA.

“This is the best opportunity for people to share their thoughts and data with us. We know a final Distance Insights report that reflects a breadth of perspectives will be critical to deepening an understanding of the complex nature, and far-reaching implications, of this subject matter.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We want to hear the views of those involved in golf throughout the world about distance and what it means for the sport.

This is an important stage of the Distance Insights project and we would encourage people with an interest in golf to share their perspectives with us. There are many different points of view and considerations on distance and we want to make sure we have as full a picture as possible.”

Additional information from the USGA and The R&A 

• The detailed questionnaire is open to all interested participants in golf until October 31, 2018 and is available in 10 languages. Administered independently by Sports Marketing Surveys Inc., it can be accessed at both usga.org/distanceinsights and at randa.org/distanceinsights

• The USGA conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open and the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, as well as 10 amateur championships and international matches, attracting players and fans around the world.

Together with The R&A, the USGA governs the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, equipment standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings, with a working jurisdiction in the United States, its territories and Mexico.

The USGA is one of the world’s foremost authorities on research, development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s history and invests in the development of the game through the delivery of its services and the work of the USGA Foundation. Additionally, the USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents. For more information, visit www.usga.org

• Based in St Andrews, The R&A runs The Open, elite amateur events, international matches and rankings. Together The R&A and the USGA govern the sport of golf worldwide, operating in separate jurisdictions but sharing a commitment to a single code for the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status and Equipment Standards.

The R&A, through R&A Rules Ltd, governs the sport worldwide, outside of the United States and Mexico, on behalf of over 36 million golfers in 143 countries and with the consent of 156 organizations from amateur and professional golf.
The R&A is committed to working for golf and supports the growth of the sport internationally and the development and management of sustainable golf facilities.  For more information, visit www.randa.org

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