The rules of golf are ever-changing and with the modern explosion in distance, we can expect more changes on the horizon. On October 12, 2021, the USGA and R&A took another step in that direction. Effective January 1, 2022, a new local rule gives professional and amateur tournaments the power to limit driver length to 46 inches.
Under the previous rule, all golf clubs excluding the putter were capped at a length of 48 inches. With the increased popularity of longer drivers in search of even more ball speed and extreme distance, the governing bodies of golf decided it was time to address the issue. In addition to the USGA and R&A adopting the rule, both the PGA and LPGA announced that they would have a driver limit in place for 2022.
Drivers up to 48 inches in length are generally used by professional long drive competitors. However, in recent years, PGA tour players like Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickleson experimented with longer drivers. DeChambeau has notably discussed using a driver of this length as he continues his search for maximum distance and ball speed. Lengths have grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. Throughout the 1990s, most Tour players used drivers around 43 inches in length. Now the average driver is somewhere between 44.5 and 45.5 inches.
Both ruling bodies announced a proposal for this type of rule back in February of 2021. The move is a proactive measure as pros and elite amateurs experiment with longer drivers. Golf club manufacturers do not make drivers of this length for mass consumption and recreational players haven’t exactly gotten their hands on them yet. This rule is designed to reign in some of that chase for distance that has had rippling effects among golfers at all levels. By addressing the rule now, they have to prevent bigger issues later on.
The full text of Model Local Rule MLR G-10 reads as follows:
In making a stroke, the player must not use a club, except for a putter, which exceeds 46 inches in length.
Penalty for Making a Stroke with a Club in Breach of this Local Rule is Disqualification.
There is no penalty under this Local Rule for carrying but not making a stroke with a
club which does not conform to these length specifications.
One caveat to MLR G-10, since it is a local rule, is that it is recommended for use in competitions limited to “highly skilled players”, such as professional tournaments and elite amateur competitions. Should a recreational player have a driver that exceeds 46 inches, it is up to their local course or competitions rules whether or not to deem that club legal.
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I think older folks should be allowed to use 48 length drivers to save them from physical harm. 60 70 or so . ..
I play with the young kids and used a 48” driver and now it has really been a set back! I have used it last 10 yrs!
It took a lot of practice to become good with it. I am 63 they are all 10-15 yrs younger! This has not affected them at all! This was to protect only elite players! The ball and heads are more of a problem then lengths of clubs!!!