Masters champ’s distance solution? Butch Harmon calls it ‘most interesting’

In the world of golf, where driving distances continue to climb and discussions about potential limitations persist, renowned instructor Butch Harmon has offered a unique perspective on addressing the issue. According to him, an idea proposed by two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal might be the 'most interesting' approach to regulating the game.

A New Look at an Old Problem

In a recent episode of "The Smylie Show" podcast, Harmon discussed current golf topics with host Smylie Kaufman, including recent news regarding potential equipment rollbacks. It's worth noting that four of golf's governing bodies—the USGA, the R&A, the PGA Tour, and the DP World Tour—announced that instead of a phased rollback of the ball (starting in 2028 for pros and 2030 for amateurs), a single implementation date of January 2030 would be set. The organizations also indicated that changes beyond the ball could be considered.

However, Butch Harmon believes these measures might not be the most effective or timely. "Unfortunately, I think we passed the time for that to happen," Harmon stated, commenting on the possibility of altering the ball or driver specifications. "The manufacturers have spent hundreds of millions of dollars developing these clubs."

Olazabal's Idea: Fewer Clubs, More Skill

It is in this context that Harmon recalled Jose Maria Olazabal's proposal, which he deems "most interesting." Olazabal suggested not changing the ball or clubs themselves, but drastically reducing the number allowed in play during a round. Instead of the current 14 clubs, golfers would be limited to just nine.

"You know, I’m thinking to myself, well, I don’t know how we ever got to 14 anyway," Harmon mused on the podcast. "I don’t know where that came from. Wouldn’t it be great to be a tournament where you could only use nine clubs? And if you got a putter and now you only got eight clubs. And like he says, ‘Oh, you have to hit golf shots. You can’t bomb the thing out there and wedge it out of the — you have to play golf.’ It would be interesting."

Smylie Kaufman, a PGA Tour winner himself, echoed this sentiment, noting that such a restriction could truly highlight players' skills. "Think about this, Smylie, and you know this," Harmon said to the host. "You’ll have a guy who’ll go out and shoot 62 or 63. And they’ll say every yardage was perfect; I had stock yardages. And then the next day he shoots 73. ‘Oh, I was in between yardages.’ Well, imagine if you only got eight clubs to pick from. You’re always going to have an in-between yardage."

Harmon expressed a desire to see at least one tournament played under such rules. "I would like to just see one tournament played like that just for the heck of it. Just to see what the scenario would be and what they would choose and how they would do it. It would be fun."

While such a change would undoubtedly lead to decreased club sales, it would compel players to better control ball trajectories and utilize various shot shapes. This could reintroduce more tactics and strategy into the game, which many feel are being lost due to the dominance of power and distance. Olazabal's idea, supported by Harmon, proposes looking at the distance issue not through technological limitations, but through rule changes that could emphasize golfers' skills and mastery rather than just their ability to generate speed and power. It is, undoubtedly, the 'most interesting' direction for discussions about the future of golf.