Sam Stokley

Auburn University ‘24

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

Just landed in DC, so I naturally had the Don on my mind @fried_egg_golf

[Justin Ferguson @JFergusonAU]

almost halfway through Year 3 under Hugh Freeze, an offensive-minded head coach, Auburn just finished a game with 155 yards of total offense — the fewest in a game for the program in eight seasons

an offensive EPA of -21.4, and yet you still had chances to win

unbelievably bad

[Coach Gus Malzahn @CoachGusMalzahn]

Felt like old times tonight!! 🍢

[Auburn Memes @AuburnMemes]

Just revisiting this amazing take

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

Prophetic

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

When your favorite college football team goes from 2 claimed championships to 9 overnight

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

The duality of man

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

@SCarBarner13 Couldn’t even listen to the full thing. Hope his Buckeyes enjoy watching us from the couch.

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

@tman_clt Good work, Tman!

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

This is a pretty dramatic post. You’re telling me that losing 5 yards on a drive is going to make golf that much more challenging.

[Jake Weaver @MidwestGolfJake]

There has been discussion today about the USGA Golf Ball Rollback. Lucas Glover and Brian Harman have both spoken out against it.

But let's forget about the pros.

The USGA’s decision to roll back the golf ball is a direct hit to the heart of amateur golf. Here’s why this rollback is bad news for the weekend warriors, casual players, and newcomers who make up the vast majority of the golf community:

Shorter Drives = Harder Courses
Most amateurs don’t hit the ball anywhere near the distances of pros. For the average golfer, a 200-yard drive is a triumph, not a problem. Rolling back the golf ball could shave 10-15 yards off drives, turning par-4s into unreachable slogs and par-5s into pipe dreams. This means longer approach shots, more hazards in play, longer rounds, and higher scores—making an already challenging game even more frustrating.

Less Fun, More Frustration
Golf’s magic lies in those moments of joy—like crushing a drive down the fairway or reaching a green in regulation. For amateurs, those moments are hard-earned. By nerfing the golf ball, the USGA is stealing some of that joy, replacing it with the grind of longer clubs, more mishits, and a game that feels punishing. Fun is the lifeblood of amateur golf—why drain it?

It Widens the Skill Gap
The rollback is often framed as “promoting skill over distance,” but for amateurs, distance is a skill. Many casual players rely on modern golf balls to compensate for swing flaws or physical limitations. Reducing ball performance disproportionately hurts higher-handicap players, making the game harder for those who need the most help. Meanwhile, skilled amateurs (and pros) will adapt, widening the gap and leaving casual players in the dust.

It Hits Your Wallet
Amateurs don’t just play the game—they pay for it. The rollback means manufacturers will need to produce new, conforming balls, and guess who’ll foot the bill? You, the consumer. Prices for golf balls could rise, and your current stock of balls might become obsolete for competitive play. For budget-conscious amateurs, this adds insult to injury.

The USGA claims the rollback protects the “integrity” of golf, but whose golf are they protecting? The pros and elite amateurs will adapt—new strategies, new equipment, new training. But for the rest of us—the 25-handicapper, the senior golfer, the junior just starting out—this rollback makes golf less fun.

Golf should be a game for everyone, not a museum exhibit preserved for purists. Let’s tell the USGA to rethink this rollback and focus on solutions that lift up amateurs.

What do you think? How will the rollback affect your game? Share your thoughts below!

[Jamie Kennedy @jamierkennedy]

The list of Walker Cup venues is insane....

2017: LACC 🇺🇸
2019: Royal Liverpool 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
2021: Seminole 🇺🇸
2023: Old Course 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
2025: Cypress Point Club 🇺🇸
2026: Lahinch Golf Club 🇮🇪
2028: Bandon Dunes 🇺🇸
2032: Oakmont Country Club 🇺🇸
2036: Chicago Golf Club 🇺🇸
2044: Pine Valley Golf Club* 🇺🇸

*announced today

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

@Davelangston9

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

Nerd vs. Motivator

[NeilVille @NeiL_Ville]

Pregame Nap time. #bbn

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

@CarsonLatta

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

@ABC you ruined my day. People should be fired. This is ridiculous.

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

UGA lock

[Rivals @Rivals]

No. 1 QB Jared Curtis shows off his new Corvette🔥

Curtis is down to Georgia and Oregon.

https://t.co/JLJdWG3IVZ

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

@wilsonthrift @BradHull18 #LANK

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

@john_decker16 Your profile pic rules

[Sam Stokley @SamStokley11]

Crew socks.
Athletic shorts with no belt.

Shrink the game.

[NUCLR GOLF @NUCLRGOLF]

🚨👮‍♂️🚓 This is unbelievable 🤦🏻‍♂️