Sir Nick Faldo reveals a quick and easy fix for the golf ball rollback problem – and Rory McIlroy approves.
Golf’s rule makers thought they had solved the issue in December 2023 by outlining plans to rollback the golf ball.
But the R&A and USGA announced before last month’s U.S. Open that they are revaluating their approach.
Nothing will happen – in the professional and amateur game – until 2030 at the earliest and bifurcation is back on the table.
Faldo took to X on Thursday to propose his simple idea that has been “right under our noses”. (video below)
“Hi there – A lot of talk about the ball rollback after the US Open,” said Faldo.
“We’ve been talking about it for decades, and now we’re going to be thinking about it until 2030.
“Hopefully you know I’m a big fan of trying to bring back the ball-striking skills to our game.
“I now believe the answer is right under our noses. It’s this fella, the one-inch tee.”
Faldo explained an article in a golf magazine really caught is attention as it showed that the once-inch tee flew 25 yards shorter.
A tee height of two-and-a-quarter inches was the optimum height, he said, but the one-inch tee had less ball speed and carry.
“So that would be a wonderful fix, wouldn’t it? It’s as simple as that.”
He added: “All I’m asking is to do some testing. Let’s give it to the pros, get it on the range and get some feedback.
“I asked a leading player whether he would consider doing that.”
Faldo then flipped the camera towards McIlroy.
“Absolutely, I would endorse that,” The Masters champion said. “The tee shot I just hit here into the wind was probably off a one-inch tee.”
McIlroy was referencing the tee shot he played during a practice round at Royal Birkdale ahead of The Open.
“It’s a multifaceted solution where I think you can look at the tee, you can look at the ball, you can look at all sorts of stuff,” he added.
Faldo ends the video by saying the one-inch tee would solve a lot of problems.
“No more expensive retooling,” he said.
“[It’s] so important for our game, our history and these fantastic old golf courses that they stay relevant to the longer hitters.
“It could be, I really believe, as simple as buying a big bag of one-inch tees for the pros.”
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
A lot of talk about the ball rollback… here’s my take! 👀🏌️♂️ pic.twitter.com/0lzWKF9HAa
— Sir Nick Faldo (@Sir_NickFaldo) July 8, 2026
Article originally appeared on: Golfmagic.com