Solheim's original proposal, which was shared with both the U.S. Golf Association and golf manufacturers,
called for three types of balls, and the announcement today formalizes
handicapping based on equipment. It seems to be an indication that
Solheim believes there's a trend that multiple kinds of equipment or
multiple kinds of equipment standards could be prevalent in the game's
future.
"The tone coming from the USGA and
R&A in recent years suggests another significant equipment rollback
may not be far away," said Solheim in a press release issued by Ping.
Solheim applied for the patent in June of 2011. "We've already seen it
with the groove rule and the proposed rule banning anchoring. We
continue to hear whispers of more changes. But as we're also reading on
the proposed anchoring ban, many directly involved in the game favor
more equipment options, not fewer. I'm looking for ways to keep the game
enjoyable for every level of golfer."
In a
conversation with GolfDigest.com on Tuesday, Solheim suggested his
primary motivation in the idea, whose overall specifics will be revealed
when the patent is expected to be published tomorrow, is to keep more
people playing golf.
"What we would hope to do
is to get people thinking about the issues, open their eyes a little
bit because we need to find ways to keep people in the game longer," he
said, indicating he was not in favor of multiple sets of rules. "I think
the rules could be written to allow for it and still not be
bifurcation."
According to the Ping press
release, "The patent application details numerous scenarios in which
equipment could be rated (balls that go varying distances, for example)
and are also factored in with current variables, such as the challenge
presented by each individual course. Solheim suggests the expanded
equipment options could be approved as "Conditions of Competition" so
the new method of handicapping could exist within the current set of
rules.