Patrick Cantlay disagrees with Jack Nicklaus’ opinion about the golf ball rollback

The ever-increasing distance in modern-day golf is threatening the future of the game.

The pace of technological advancement is unsustainable. Historic venues such as St Andrews are constantly having to reinvent themselves to keep up with the distances players can now achieve, and that's if they haven't already been rendered obsolete in pro golf.

One way this issue is being tackled is the golf ball rollback. New rules are set to be introduced around the golf ball, which should take some distance away from the players. There has been widespread debate about how effective this new golf ball will be, but many players agree change is necessary.

Among those players is Jack Nicklaus, who has been waving the warning flag on this issue for a number of years. However, his opinion isn't shared by all. Patrick Cantlay argued at the Tour Championship that there's no need for a golf ball rollback at all.

Patrick Cantlay is not in support of the golf ball rollback

There have been a few players to declare their opposition to the golf ball rollback, and Cantlay is among them.

Speaking before the Tour Championship, he was asked about a recent meeting on the issue and explained why he's not in favour of the change.

He said, "I'm definitely encouraged. We had a good meeting. There was a PAC meeting earlier this year at Memorial, and the USGA and the R&A were there and talked with a number of players.

"I'm not in support of rolling the golf ball back. I think the game is in a really good spot. We have more rounds of golf being played each and every year in this country and more new golfers that are playing golf.

"I think the guys are hitting it farther because they're trying to hit it farther, and they're training to hit it farther. The guys are bigger and stronger.

"I don't think we need to do something massive like change the golf ball. I think that would just — I don't think the pros outweigh the cons there."

Players have said the golf ball rollback won't decrease distance enough to be worth the time and effort; however, most agree the need to decrease distance is there.

Cantlay is among the few, including Bryson DeChambeau, who think there isn't an issue with distance at all, but as every golf course continues to make changes to keep up with the modern game, that argument is getting harder to make.