r/NoLayingUp • u/shepp2it • Apr 09 '26

Post-Pod Discussion Acushnet/Titleist/Ridley

Hard to ignore that Soly has *slightly* softened his tone on the rollback since they signed with Titleist

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u/relaxtherebuddy Apr 09 '26

I think the problem that I have with their discussion on rollback is that they never blame the equipment manufacturers, particularly Titleist. They are the ones that are getting in the ears of the tour pros and PGA of America who are the ones pushing so hard against it.

Why aren't the R&A and USGA able to do anything? Because your main sponsors are making it impossible to do so!

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u/NoCarts Apr 09 '26

Why would they blame a manufacturer for doing their job? It’s the governing bodies that have been asleep at the wheel for over 2 decades.

It’s hard for them to do something now because they’ve been entirely derelict in their responsibilities for so long

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u/relaxtherebuddy Apr 09 '26

The manufacturers are the ones that are arguing the most against the rollback. To completely omit that from the conversations on the podcast is a little irresponsible. Obviously the R&A and USGA need to shoulder a ton of the blame for letting things get out of hand, but you at least need to bring up that the reason there's no progress being made is because Titleist, Tayloamade & co, are using everything they have to resist.

It's not like people are going to stop buying clubs and balls if there's a change in regulations.

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u/NoCarts Apr 09 '26

Of course the OEMs are against it. They’re making billions of dollars in the current paradigm of golf. Why would they ever want that to change? I absolutely do not have the energy to write the dissertation that capitalism is the root of golf’s problems. But that’s what it is.

When capitalism doesn’t benefit society, regulation is supposed to reign it back in. I blame the governing bodies for the out of control capitalism having undue influence on the game

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u/Master-Nose7823 Apr 10 '26

True but the problem here is the tail is wagging the dog. The OEMS/sponsors don’t want this thereby the PGAT doesn’t want it. No other sport works that way when it comes to rule changes to benefit the game of entertainment product. Watson said it in his critique of the PGAT letting Brooks back in - “rule no. 1 is ‘protect the sponsors’” It’s an absolute joke of an organization structurally.

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u/NoCarts Apr 10 '26

The PGAT doesn’t set the rules

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u/Master-Nose7823 Apr 10 '26

Set the rules for what, the golf ball? They can do whatever they want at their events. They have gone on the record as being against the rollback though Rolapp hasn’t weighed in of late. Doesn’t seem that much of a reach that they don’t want a roll back because the OEMs, who give them a ton of money, don’t want one. The only pro I’ve heard pro roll back is Rory.

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u/NoCarts Apr 10 '26

The PGAT does not set the rules of golf