The subject of distance is a complicated one in today’s world of golf.
Professionals are so talented, so athletic, so strong and have access to all sorts of training material on top of equipment that they are overpowering golf courses that have long stood the test of time. This feels fair and objective to say without inciting any riot.
It is when you go beyond this surface level that debates run rampant. Talk of rolling things back has been happening forever and it appears that the future of golf has some question in this area (it has several questions in several areas of its future to be clear).
Consider what Masters Champion Rory McIlroy said on Wednesday about the upcoming Truist Championship at Philly Cricket Club.
Rory McIlroy on Philly Cricket Club: “I just realized that these new renovated old-school courses, like the strategy is just hit driver everywhere and then figure it out from there.” pic.twitter.com/XFQ60jWK7c
— Cameron Jourdan (@Cam_Jourdan) May 7, 2025
McIlroy is also the reigning Trust Championship winner, but he won the event at Quail Hollow where it traditionally takes place. The PGA Tour is hosting the venue at Philly Cricket Club this week – their first event in Philadelphia since 2018 – due to Quail Hollow hosting next week’s PGA Championship.
McIlroy’s strategy (loosely speaking) is fair. Bomb it as far as you can and rely on your game to bail you out from not too far out. But this isn’t viable or sustainable for the sport of golf at large.
Consider that we are coming off of a week in which Scottie Scheffler won the CJ CUP with a score of 31-under par. These are the best players in the world clearly, but this is a level of dominance that is not good for the game and its long term future.
Most in the Truist field, a signature event mind you, will likely follow the “advice” offered by McIlroy. We could be looking at another incredibly low score from the eventual winner.
The world of golf is never predictable, though. We will see!