Rory McIlroy averages nearly 330 yards on his drive. In all, 82 players on the PGA Tour average more than 300 yards on their tee balls. And the USGA and the Royal and Ancient, golf’s two governing bodies, have elected to do something about it.

The two organizations announced a “model local rule” that would give tournament organizers the option to use a golf ball that will fly, on average, 15 yards less than current models. Golf ball manufacturers and other stakeholders have until the middle of August to offer feedback on the proposal. It is the first major equipment decision made by the two rule-making organizations in more than a decade.

“Hitting distances at the elite level of the game have consistently increased over the past 20, 40, and 60 years,” said Mike Whan, Chief Executive of the USGA. “Predictable, continued increases will become a significant issue for the next generation if not addressed soon. The MLR we are proposing is simple to implement, forward-looking and does so without any impact on the recreational game. We are taking the next steps in this process, guided first and foremost by doing what’s right by the entire game.”

The proposed rule change would, in effect, create a tournament ball that wouldn’t fly as far as current models. As tour pros work at increasing their swing speed, and equipment becomes more refined to reduce spin and improve flight, the longest players on professional tours have continued to gain distance. That’s made many great courses nearly obsolete in current conditions. Last year’s U.S. Open at Southern Hills saw a 656-yard par 5, and this year’s RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf and Country Club will be the longest in the tournament’s history. However, many golf courses, including Augusta National where the Masters is held, have continued to spend millions acquiring land and making changes to try to keep up with increased driving distances.

However, amateurs would still be able to play the golf ball they’ve always used without worrying about lost distance. Studies have shown most amateurs only average 215 yards on a drive. Having two separate rules—one for pros and one for amateurs—is called bifurcation and is not unusual in other sports. For instance, baseball players, even through college, use aluminum bats, while professionals use wood bats that limit how far balls travel.

The new rule would state golf balls must have a limit of 317 yards (with three yards of tolerance) at actual launch conditions with a clubhead speed of 127 miles per hour on a calibration setup of 11 degrees and 2,200 rpm. New drivers increasingly launch higher, with less spin, allowing for distance gains even as the USGA put COR limits on the sweet spot on the face. The report said there is a direct correlation between clubhead speed and hitting distance and that average distance has increased on average by about a yard a year.

“This is an important issue for golf and one which needs to be addressed if the sport is to retain its unique challenge and appeal,” said Martin Slumbers, CEO of the R&A.