Based on our knowledge today and considering the Laws of Physics we believe that the ball will improve in its aerodynamics and resilience. This means that it will launch faster off the club face and when in flight be more efficient in its ability to glide with a trajectory which will result in maximum distance.

How much further can the ball go if the same club hits it with the same club head speed?

The answer is based on knowledge of the past developments and what can be done to the ball to change its aerodynamic properties, as well as a fundamental understanding of the laws of physics with regard to the resilience of the collision between the club and the ball.

It is believed that the ball will be able to fly about another 5 yards beyond the longest ball today because of a more efficient aerodynamic design. We may want to add a yard or two to this for some sort of spin control; i.e. the ability to maintain a specific spin rate for a longer period of time. Because of the additional resilience, which may be built into the ball, it is anticipated that a ball may be allowed to fly about another 5 yards beyond the hottest ball to day. This means that if performance standards were removed we can expect about another 10 to 12 yards more from improvements in the ball alone.

Now when it comes to the club; what can be done that allows it to launch the ball more efficiently with more speed? It is believed that if there was no limit on the spring like effect SLE (this is the R&A's position) that the ball will be able to fly about 10 yards further than it does today using a club which is designed to be at the USGA limit.