John Daly wishes it had happened earlier in the game. The two-time Major winner and one of the hardest hitters feels the controversial golf ball rollback policy is a step in the right direction. Daly wished they made the changes when he was still in his prime. Brushing aside all the criticism against the golf ball rollback policy, the five-time PGA Tour winner explained why this course correction is justified.

Daly burst into the golf scene in the 1990s with his impeccable power game. The American pro used to ballast 300-yard drives regularly. Even now, the veteran golfer hits 280 Yards on average. Interestingly, Daly is on the same page with two other power-hitters of the game, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, both of whom, heavily came in support of the golf ball rollback policy earlier.

Why John Daly supports the golf ball rollback

Speaking to the SiriusXM Podcast, John Daly said, “wish they had done in the early 2000s when I could actually hit a golf ball.” Surely, he must be joking, right? The hosts were shocked as well. But Daly doubled down when asked if he was being serious. “Hell Yeah.”

Many pro golfers blasted the golf ball rollback claiming it would erode years of progress they made. But the 57-year-old feels those are misplaced criticism. “Kids are so great anyway, it shouldn’t affect them.” Daly feels it will boil down to the precision: “Are they gonna it hit straight?”

Why? “The ball is gonna be softer; it’s going to spin a little more. So the ball is not going to be able to go as straight as these balls are out there now,” Daly explains. But what about the drivers? The two-time Major champion goes back a few years when he tried his hand at the Persimmon Woods. The wooden drivers, now a relic from the past, are not as forgiving as the metal or steel drivers. There is more spin and less carry. Regardless, Daly’s shot was only “two yards shorter” than his metal woods. “So you tell me it ain’t the golf ball!”

There has been widespread debate about the necessity of the golf ball rollback policy. Hard-hitters like Bryson DeChambeau have blasted the decision, and so has Justin Thomas terming it as selfish. Whereas, Woods and McIlroy have come up in defense of it. Daly certainly is on the side of his long-time rival, this time.

Woods and McIlroy give their stamp of approval

Tiger Woods was in favor of the rollback policy since it was first announced. Speaking to the media in April before the Masters, the 15-time Major Winner said it was long overdue. Woods, too, tried his hand at the old persimmon woods to do a reality check. Per his own admission, he was still able to hit 290 yards. So, it’s not the high-tech gear, the golf ball needs to be changed.

Read More: What Are the Three Major Takeaways From the Official Golf Rollback Policy Announcement?

Rory McIlroy, too, has voiced similar opinions in the past. After the latest announcement of the universal golf ball rollback, the Northern Irishman said it would bring back some of the lost skills in golf. Moreover, a low-flight ball will compel golfers to use different types of clubs. As per USGA officials, pro golfers will see a flight reduction of 10-15 yards, whereas female golfers might see a reduction of 5-6 yards. The policy will come into effect in 2028 for pro golfers and top amateurs.

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