Hace cuatro años, Tiger Woods (nada menos), una de las celebridades del golf de todos los tiempos y que no era precisamente un pegador “corto”, lanzó una advertencia: “Habrá que revisar ciertas reglas, porque las canchas están quedando obsoletas ante el avance de la tecnología y la potencia de los jugadores”. Habían pasado dos décadas ya desde su fulgurante irrupción, cuando solía tener un promedio de alcance de 270 metros con su driver (el palo de salida, con el cual se alcanzan las mayores distancias). Número que fue quedando empequeñecido en comparación con estos tiempos, en los que su compatriota Bryson DeChambeau llega a superar una media de 320 metros, con tiros que alcanzan los 350/360 metros, a una velocidad cercana a las 200 millas (321 km/h). En el circuito de estos tiempos, Tiger estaría fuera de los 100 primeros en distancias... ¡Tiger Woods!

A comienzos de año, con el reestablecimiento progresivo de las actividades post pandemia, las dos entidades que rigen las reglas del golf, el Royal and Ancient (R&A) de Saint Andrews (Escocia) y la United States Golf Association (USGA), se manifestaron partidarias de introducir cambios en el corto plazo con el fin de “evitar riesgos para nuestro deporte.We must ensure that golf can remain alive for 100 years and more time too ”, was the argument, without minimizing the alarm state in which they are.What would be those drastic measures?One of them, shrink the length of the sticks.With the slogan "you have to stop the Dechambeau".

The technological advance with the materials of the sticks and the golf balls has wreaked havoc.The same happened at the time with tennis and rackets.Speed and power increased incredibly.If one observes videos of the tennis from the 70s, he will notice the enormous differences that exist between "that tennis" and "this tennis", beyond that players of similar characteristics can be glimpsed.

Tennis was at the center of the debate a good time.And not only when the players began to have another physical size, to be on average much higher: it passed before when the American John Mcenroe, with his “American Twist” service, submitted the rivals without mercy on the fast courts, especially, about Wimbledon's grass.What was said in those 80s?"Free Mcenroe".What was the proposal?One, cancel one of the serves, that there was only one to risk less.Other?Browse the serve square to hinder the pique and propose a less powerful service.One more?Upload the network.

As can be seen, all the "magical rules" were signed to destroy a player (and those who would come) who had committed the boldness of having a fantastically unstable and ungovernable serve.Tennis continued its course and changed some things: a slower grass in the All England, a faster brick powder on the European courts to attract players who escaped slow surfaces.But the same serve box (6.40 long) and the network at 1.07 high (0.914 in the center) is still played with two serves).And McEnroe was far from denaturing the sport of the rackets.The same as before with Roscoe Tanner and then with Goran Ivanisevic, Mark Philippoussis, John Isner, Sam Querrey, Alexander Zverev, Roger Federer, (and follow the firms) firms)

Golf does not want risks and already announced the possibility of making its "great change" as of January 1, 2022.Since he arrived at the Golf Elite, the Dechambeau bomber has become the center of marketing.First it was because it hit a few.Then for his hypercaloric diet to transform into the player/pathovic that rose 20 kilos to gain distance.Later because it was slow to play, which generated the egos dispute with its compatriot Brooks Koepka that keeps the entire expectant atmosphere and mobilizes fans.And now, the decision of the golf regulatory entities that want to "shield" their tournaments of a danger called "Bryson".How?Limiting the length of the driver to 46 inches, that is, 1.17m.This after the Californian has experienced with the so -called "cannon" this season, a 48 -inch long driver (1.22m).

Consideran la R&A y la USGA que la longitud de los palos está directamente relacionada con los grandes problemas que tiene hoy día el golf con las distancias.They confirmed that a local rule specially created "will be available from January 1, 2022 to provide those who direct professional golf competitions or elite amateurs" the option to limit the maximum length of a golf stick to 46 inches ".To this extent the putters (sticks that are used on the GREEN when trying to emboca) are excluded).

Be careful: Dichambeau hits!

What will the entities do?Everything indicates that they will be governed by the new measure for their Majors tournaments, the British Open and the US Open, next year.In the case of Augusta's masters and PGA Championship, the two other large competitions, there will be what to see what decision they make.

Dechambeau's reaction was surprising: “It is a bit flattering in a certain sense that they have thought to that extent.For a long time I talked about that 48 -inch driver and it didn't work for me as I wanted.It is really great to see that there is some change in the conversations I have had ”.The man capable of making impossible shots says;To play above the trees when no one is encouraged to that trajectory, or throwing above the water, crossing diagonally, when the majority opt for the safe: play in two blows in straight lines.

Another that was testing a longer driver was the famous Phil Mickelson, about 47.5 inches.His gaze was more critical: "This is pathetic," he wrote on Twitter."1st promotes a shorter and more violent swing (prone to injuries), does not allow the arc length to create speed, and during our 1st golf boom in 40 years, our Gov Amateur organism continues to try to make it less fun".

A year ago, the Spanish Jon Rahm spoke about Denhambeau and the change of rules.He used the Valderrama field in Spain as an example.“For all the people who say that the ball needs to be changed for the distance… I would take Bryson Dechambeau to Valderrama and you will see how all that power is neutralized, all that power goes to the devil and cannot use it.Take it to the National Golf in France.There is no space to paste drives like him is doing.There is a way to fight the distance and it is not making longer fields or changing the ball because that will only help the longer gluers.It's about making narrower and more technical golf cours.The way to neutralize this is with the design of the fields, ”said Rahm.

What will happen to the amateur golfer?Mike What, the executive director of the USGA, divided the waters: “We have worked closely with our industry partners to ensure that the future of golf remains solid.We must recognize that this is not the "response" to the debate/distance problem in general, but a simple option for competitive events.

“It is important to note that it is not a golf rule and, as such, it is not mandatory for the middle recreational golfer.Rather, it is a tool available for those who run competitive events ”.

Winner of 18 Majors, the mythical Jack Nicklaus once said: “Golf is not just power.It is also precision, mentality, skill ".For the doubts, who handle the rules, which surely have a huge respect for the golden bear, do not want to take risks with their sport (and with the business).