What Is ‘Bifurcation’ and Why Does Rory McIlroy Support It?

Golf nerds have heard the word ‘bifurcation’ a lot lately. Dictionaries define bifurcation as dividing something into two parts. As far as golf is concerned, it is about two different sets of equipment for professionals and amateurs. With the ongoing hot discussion on the golf ball rollback policy, bifurcation means that in elite golf, the balls that will be used will see a likely 5% decrease in distance at a swing speed of 125 miles per hour. At lower-level amateur golf or recreational golf, on the other hand, the balls that are currently in use can be played with.

The golf ball rollback issue has divided the world of professional golf. While a section believes that everyone should play by the same rules, Rory McIlroy sure doesn’t. The Northern Irishman strongly feels that ‘bifurcation’ will have an optimistic impact on golf. The golfer urged the fans to shift their dissatisfaction towards the “elite pros and club/ball manufacturers” who are against the decision. On the contrary, he stood firmly with the governing bodies in his tweet.

Why does McIlroy support bifurcation? He explained it by looking at a bigger picture, for the greater good of the game. Even with the help of the latest technology, an average golfer cannot match an elite pro. So he failed to understand the anger. “I don’t understand the anger about the golf ball rollback. It will make no difference whatsoever to the average golfer and puts golf back on a path of sustainability.”

McIlroy posted on his X handle, mentioning that even the professional game would be more skill-based, with certain skills returning to the game “that have been eradicated over the past 2 decades.” McIlroy also made a staggering revelation today that monetary concerns are proving to be an obstacle to change. “Bifurcation was the logical answer for everyone, but yet again, in this game, money talks.”

A follower asked him for clarification, drawing a baseball analogy where amateurs can use aluminum bats and the pros play with wooden bats. To which the 4X major champion replied while backing the governing bodies, “That’s what the proposal was back in April. Tour pros and ball manufacturers pushed back on that, and this is why we are where we are now.”

As per the Golf Digest report, the governing bodies will soon announce a universal rollback of the golf ball, and there will be a change in testing.

A universal rollback of golf balls is set to be announced

The Rules of Golf allow the sport to be played differently via ‘local rules’ and the game’s governing bodies, but now the USGA and the R&A have proposed a universal rollback of the golf ball that is likely to be formally announced soon. The proposed local rule, if it eventually goes through, will make it mandatory for tournament organizers to use a competition ball in professional and top-level amateur events, and this has been put forward to curb the escalation of distance in the sport.

Read More: Despite the Fate-Altering Scenarios, Will Rory McIlroy Be Able to Finally Shine in the Next 150 Days?

All said and done, distance is very important in golf. If a player can hit a few extra yards off the tee, then that contributes to his or her stroke savings. Like other equipment, golf balls, too, have gone through the busy fingers of technological regeneration over the years. In 1980, the average driving distance was 256.5 yards, and the longest was 274.3 yards. In 2023, the average driving distance will have increased to 296.9 yards, while the longest will be 326.6 yards. The proposed rule alteration was the result of years of research that hinted that the golf courses would soon become too small to host the tournaments if the players continued to hit the ball further.

McIlroy is on top of the charts as far as driving distance this year. And yet, he is pro-bifurcation. What will be the ultimate policy on the golf ball? Stay tuned to find out!

Watch this story: Jay Monahan’s Mighty Opposition Faces a Contradictory Verdict From Tiger Woods, Amid Controversial Ball Roll Back Update