The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA) have postponed the introduction of new golf ball distance standards, opting for a unified implementation date in 2030.

R&A 與美國高爾夫協會 (USGA) 已推遲推出新的高爾夫球距離標準，選擇將統一執行日期定於 2030 年。

The decision follows an eight-year evaluative period conducted by the R&A and USGA to mitigate the escalation of driving distances among elite professionals. Previously, a phased approach was proposed, with new specifications taking effect for professional players in 2028 and for recreational golfers in 2030. However, following a series of consultations with the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, and the PGA Tour's Player Advisory Council, it was determined that a single-date implementation in January 2030 would be more aligned with industry feedback.

此決定是在 R&A 與 USGA 進行了為期八年的評估之後做出的，旨在緩解頂尖職業球手擊球距離不斷增加的現象。此前曾建議採取分階段方法，專業球員於 2028 年起適用新規格，而業餘高爾夫球員則於 2030 年起適用。然而，在與 PGA Tour、DP World Tour 及 PGA Tour 球員諮詢委員會進行一系列磋商後，決定於 2030 年 1 月統一執行將更符合業界回饋。

This strategic shift is predicated on a lack of consensus regarding the efficacy of the proposed Overall Distance Standard (ODS). Specifically, the tours have expressed apprehension that the updated ODS testing—which involves increasing swing speed parameters from 120 mph to 125 mph—may fail to produce the intended reduction in distance. This concern was underscored by reports of professional players utilizing conforming balls without experiencing a perceptible loss in yardage. Consequently, the governing bodies have indicated a willingness to explore alternative regulatory mechanisms, including additional equipment specifications, to ensure a more material impact on distance.

此次策略轉向是基於對擬議的「整體距離標準」(ODS) 之有效性缺乏共識。具體而言，各大巡迴賽表示擔憂，更新後的 ODS 測試（將揮桿速度參數從 120 mph 提高至 125 mph）可能無法達到預期的距離縮減效果。由於有報告指出，職業球員在使用符合標準的球時，並未感受到明顯的碼數損失，這一擔憂因此被強化。因此，管理機構表示願意探索其他監管機制，包括額外的設備規格，以確保對距離產生更實質的影響。

The impetus for these regulations is the perceived obsolescence of historic course architectures due to the increased capabilities of modern players. The governing bodies, supported by figures such as Fred Ridley and various Masters champions, contend that excessive distance renders the game one-dimensional and necessitates costly, environmentally taxing course expansions. Such modifications increase maintenance expenditures and extend round durations, thereby threatening the long-term sustainability of the sport.

制定這些法規的動力在於，由於現代球員能力提升，使得許多歷史悠久的球場設計顯得過時。管理機構在 Fred Ridley 及多位大師賽冠軍等人士的支持下認為，過長的距離使比賽變得單一，並導致必須進行昂貴且對環境造成壓力 的球場擴建。此類修改增加了維護支出並延長了每輪比賽時間，從而威脅到該項運動的長期永續性。

The governing bodies are currently evaluating alternative distance-curbing measures with a final implementation deadline set for 2030.

管理機構目前正在評估其他限制距離的措施，最終執行截止日期定於 2030 年。