In a joint statement today, the USGA and The R&A announced they will pause implementation of further changes to golf ball testing standards as they evaluate new approaches to addressing distance gains at the highest levels of the sport, which were originally set to take effect for professionals in 2028, per the organizations’ 2023 announcement.

Today’s statement indicated that, for the past eight years, golf’s governing bodies have expressed concern about steadily increasing driving distances and the long-term impact on the game. Following extensive consultation with stakeholders, the organizations previously agreed to modify the Overall Distance Standard (ODS), which governs how golf balls are tested.

However, after recent developments in the ongoing effort to manage distance, the USGA and The R&A said they will take additional time to assess a range of options before determining the best path forward.

The specific developments the governing bodies identified are as follows:

1. “Feedback from the golf industry on the Notice and Comment related to the date of implementation of the updated ODS testing approach indicated that the majority support a single-date implementation (2030) versus a two-date, phased implementation (2028 and 2030).”
2. “Constructive discussions between the governing bodies, PGA Tour leadership, the PGA Tour Player Advisory Council (PAC), DP World Tour leadership and other stakeholders yielded three key outcomes: (a) recognition that distance continues to increase at the elite level; (b) a concern by the Tours that the updated ODS testing approach may not achieve the desired results; (c) a collective willingness to reconsider alternative approaches that may more materially impact the pace of future distance increases, while minimizing disruption to the overall golf market.”

The governing bodies plan to work closely with key stakeholders, including the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and their players, to review, test, and potentially implement measures to reduce distance at the elite level. Officials said the goal is to preserve the importance of shotmaking and prevent the professional game from becoming overly reliant on power.

In other words, after talking with the tours, rather than continuing directly toward the planned 2030 rollout of the revised testing standard, the USGA and R&A are now working with said professional tours to explore alternative distance-control measures. The release did not specify what form the measures could take. They have stated there will be no change to the ODS testing approach until January 2030 while those options are reviewed and tested.

Driver: Ping G440 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 TX

3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 80 TX

5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 83 TX

Irons: Ping iDi (3), Ping i230 (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100

Wedges: Ping S259 (50 S-12, 54 S-12, 60 T-06)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400

Putter: Ping PLD Milled Ally Blue 4

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

Check out more in-hand photos of Mason Howell’s clubs here.

Our forum faithful are well acquainted with the incredible giveaways and review opportunities in the realm of threads and comments, but we want to ensure front-page readers are involved as well.

Check out what the most-trusted GolfWRXers have to say about the TPT Golf Pulse putter shaft here.

TPT Golf Pulse putter shaft

If you caught some of our PGA Show coverage, you already know these shafts generated plenty of buzz. TPT is bringing its well known Thin Ply Technology, previously trusted in their wood shafts, into putters and giving testers from GolfWRX access to a design built for ultra low torque, exceptional consistency, and a remarkably stable feel. The breakthrough four ply construction is made for golfers who demand precision and performance where it matters most.

More about the TPT Pulse putter shaft

• Three distinct models with a unique flex and feel
• High Performance and Consistency
• Ultra-Low Torque
• Automated no-human-error manufacturing process

How we choose our testers

GolfWRX staff evaluates each entry against the criteria laid out in the testing thread to determine the best fit for each specific product — For example, if a game-improvement iron is being tested, game-improvement iron-playing golfers will be considered.

Member testers

The testers are:

@is1ander
@4rheel
@jtmagic
@snagy2000
@BombsIntoTheWoods

Member review highlights

@is1ander (TPT Pulse 50 BPM):

“The finish of the TPT Pulse shaft is unreal. The finish is more reflective and a finer pattern than LAB TPT Putter shaft or TPT Nitro Driver Shaft. It looks and feels unlike anything I’ve ever seen, alien technology vibes, honestly. But this is not the place to talk about aliens. ? The construction is tank-like as shown in the tip wall in the photo below. My gamer Dan Carraher putter with a Diamana P105 1.0 is 108g. TPT Pulse 50 bpm is 140g and felt like Thor’s hammer installed on the second 385g Dan Carraher putter head. Both are 37 inches long with a Winn 17 inch Wrap grip. On the practice green, TPT was more linear than the Diamana while still providing good feel for tempo and smooth feedback. I quickly adapted to the additional weight and beefier flex profile and actually had trouble going back to the Diamana after a few dozen putts. Speed control and dispersion tightened up with the TPT.”

“The speed control and dispersion from the practice green transferred very well to the course. But this could be New Equipment Honeymoon Syndrome so I will try to maintain a certain level of reservation. Round 2 this weekend will be a bit more competitive at a slightly faster track. I look forward to updating y’all with the results.”

“In apocalyptic weather, I’d say the TPT Pulse performed very well. I have no shame in admitting I’m a fair weather golfer so I’m just going to take those positive moments and the shared suffering with my buddies and keep it moving.”

“More extremely consistent performance from the Pulse for rounds 7 and 8. Steady as a vintage Cadillac on cruise control. Then I played 9 holes with a Piretti GOAT/Diamana 1.0 tipped 2 inches and powered everything past the hole. Guessing it was a combination of toe hang and lighter head weight. The GOAT feel and feedback was phenomenal. Lastly, I played 18 holes with my back-up zero torque Dan Carraher/Diamana 1.0 tipped 1 inch. Dispersion was still excellent but I left 3 or 4 putts a roll short. Seems the momentum and speed control of the heavier Pulse shaft best fits my stroke. This puts it firmly in the gamer position. Will keep y’all updated on my next phase to analyze and improve my putting with the Pulse.”

“At this point, I have little reason to doubt that the Pulse 50 will be my gamer for the rest of the season…Probably sounds a little (or a lot) predictable for the hot new premium shaft on the market. It’s a lot. I know it’s a lot in this world where people are struggling and much more important things are happening. On the other hand, I’ve heard that we find something wonderful when we find something that has no bottom, something with infinite possibilities. For some, that’s music. Others, it’s hair or makeup or fashion or painting or cheese or psychology or philosophy or theology. Or golf. TPT Pulse has expanded the bottomless possibilities of golf putting alien tech. And it’s still a fraction of a bag full of Ventus driver and fairway shafts which no one complains about.”

BombsIntoTheWoods (TPT Pulse 70 BPM):

“Given all of the boxes that have showed up at my doorstep, including many that ended up with holes in the box and putters heads sticking out against the concrete, I must say that this TPT putter shaft has been one of the best packaged items I have ever received. The box was form fitting to the shaft and built like a tank. The shaft itself is a beauty to be seen, the yellow and black are colors I find go together so well, and the shimmering carbon throughout just really makes it all pop. I must say that I enjoy having something different that stands out visually and this shaft will definitely fill that role.”

“I was able to do some quick initial testing on my Perfect Practice Roll-A-Putt mat. Compared to the prior KBS CT Tour 120 shaft I can feel an immediate difference in crispness when making contact with the ball. There is less of soft mushy feeling and more of a quick firm feel off the face. I personally like this a lot more and feel like I can get a bit more of a feel in the hands on location and type of contact I am making.

“I wanted to stage a direct comparison test at my local courses putting green. So before this shaft came, I made a point to head out and run through a series of different types of putts for comparison. I planned to spend a solid 30-60 minutes or so, going through 5, 10, 20, long lag putts, uphill and downhill putts. Below is an overview of the putting green I will be using.”

“After all the time I spent and doing the same things in close proximity a few things stood out to me. I had a more crisp and solid feel at impact with the TPT shaft. When hitting putts on the extreme toe and heel (toe especially) I could definitely feel far less twisting. I try to generally have a solid loose hold on my grip and not muscle it to death.”

“As I moved around the green testing different distances and slopes I noticed a much better read on getting closer to the target on my first attempts with the TPT and just left feeling very impressed. I am excited to get this out on the course when I can, my daughters current softball schedule makes that tough, but I am hoping to get something in place.

“I also must repeat how great this looks in person and definitely helps fulfill the first requirement of any putter you have. Got to love how it looks and want to use it.”

snagy2000 (TPT Pulse 70 BPM):

“I picked up my putter about a week ago and have started my testing both on my putting green and at my club. I selected the Ping Ally Blue Onset as the choice for the shaft install, as its stock shaft seems a little loose to me on long distance putts and I wanted something which feels tighter and more confidence instilling.”

“First thing I did was grab my laser and jump on my putting green which provides me with an opportunity for a variety of challenging putts. Uphill, downhill, sliders or dead straight putts, I can work on these at home and see how the shaft performs. And perform it did! Time after time it held the lines perfectly on short putts and long putts. Having the TPT in my LAB Oz.1i, I will say the feel of the Pulse 70 is very reminiscent, if not identical, to that shaft. Firm, but not harsh! The ball is starting and staying on the line you choose much like the LAB. I don’t have a way to quantify this, but I feel the speed off the face of putters using the TPT shafts are slightly fast making me adjust down towards the hole any break on the line.”

“Next, I’m taking the putter to my club’s green and into play on the courses.

“Course play was about what I expected. Depending on the pace of the greens you’re playing, adjusting your path and stroke length for distance is key with this shaft. This shaft and putter combination sends the ball out on a crisp fast pace. On the slower greens I felt this was an advantage as normal stroke length tended to get the ball to the hole without any problems. On faster greens, I needed to adjust path and shorten the stroke length to ensure missed putts did not go to far by the hole.

“Overall, putting can be very player specific when it comes to feel. I’ve been fortunate enough to test the 70 and roll the 60 in comparison and can definitely feel a difference between the two with the 70 being slightly firmer and the 60 being softer at impact. Performance wise I don’t believe you’re going to see any performance drop off in the ability to keep the ball on the intended line with any of these 3 shafts. IMO, TPT has developed three shafts with different feel yet same performance which is a bonus for us golfers. If you’re looking to upgrade the consistency and performance of your putting, I wouldn’t look any further than these TPT shafts.”

More about GolfWRX member testing

Member testing gives our forum members the opportunity to put the latest golf equipment through the paces. In exchange for getting a product to test (and keep), forum members are expected to provide in-depth product feedback in the forums, along with photos, and engage with the questions of other forum members.

For brands, the GolfWRX member feedback and direct engagement is a vital window into the perceptions of avid golfers.

You can find additional testing opportunities in the GolfWRX forums.