18-time Major champion Jack Nicklaus has again raised concerns with the R&A and USGA about PGA Tour players exploiting golf courses with their immense driving distances.
Of course, this is particularly aimed at Bryson DeChambeau, who has been a wrecking ball since the tour’s resumption a couple of weeks ago, breaking records for driving averages.
Nicklaus was speaking to Sir Nick Faldo on CBS Sports during the start of last week’s Memorial Tournament, which the 80-year-old hosted at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
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And, according to Nicklaus, it is about time the governing bodies take action against the big hitters on tour.
‘The USGA and the R&A have got to wake up sooner or later. They can’t just keep burying their heads on this. They see it, they watch television, they see where these guys hit the golf ball. It isn’t about how far they hit it. You just can’t keep making golf courses longer. You just don’t have enough land, you don’t have enough money to do it,’ Nicklaus said.
‘The golf ball is a very, very simple thing to fix and I’ve been preaching about it for 43 years. That’s when I first went to the USGA [about it]. That’s a long time to be saying, “Oh, we’re studying it.” Guys, stop studying it. Do something will you please?’
When asked about DeChambeau’s recent approach, Nicklaus indicated the American should be forced, due to the nature of a golf course, to stop going all for it from the tee box.
‘He’s going to have to stop himself. I mean, good grief, more power to a guy who can hit the ball like that, put in the fairway and play and score well, which is what he’s been doing. I’ve just got to sit and applaud. I’m not worried about stopping him.’
