Ball Rollback, Ground Reaction Forces & LIV's Reckoning

About this episode

Baden and Clappy discuss the implications of golf course design and the USGA's bifurcation plan amidst recent events in the sport.

Baden and Clappy are back to unpack a massive week in golf. They kick off at Harbour Town — a course that makes the case that great design, not a rolled-back ball, is how you defend par. From there it's a proper debate on the USGA's bifurcation plan: is it pointless engineering theatre, or the future of the pro game? The boys get into why slower swingers barely notice the change, the social awkwardness of "which ball are you playing?" at your home club, and why Trotty Golf reckons driver desi...

People in this episode

Hosts: Baden, Clappy

Topics covered

• golf
• ball rollback
• USGA bifurcation
• course design
• swing speed
• social dynamics in golf

Keywords

• golf
• ball rollback
• USGA
• Harbour Town
• swing speed
• Trotty Golf
• bifurcation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: USGA, Trotty Golf

Places: Harbour Town

More episodes of The Skillest Podcast

• Why Club Fitting Is Broken! Chris Trott (Trottie Golf) on Tour Truths, Fitting Myths & the Future of the Game · June 9, 2026 · 52 min
• Women's US Open at Riviera, Has Golf Coaching Gone Too Technical, and When to Change Coaches · June 3, 2026 · 29 min
• What Happens When a 24-Year-Old Starts Coaching the World's Best Golfers? The Drew Steckel Story · May 26, 2026 · 51 min
• Keith Bennett built a 360,000-follower coaching empire as a self proclaimed introvert. · May 19, 2026 · 47 min
• PGA Championship Preview, Chris Wood's Comeback & The LIV Endgame · May 12, 2026 · 28 min
• The Most Powerful Man In Golf Coaching! Luke Kerr-Dineen · May 8, 2026 · 44 min