Jon Rahm is one of the longest drivers of the ball in the game.

With that in mind, it was interesting to hear his take on the driving distance issues in the game today which are causing so many problems with old-fashioned golf courses.

As golfers continue to swing the club faster and hit the ball further, some of our game’s most prestigious old golf courses are in danger of being made redundant.

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Rahm’s ball speed maxes out around the 188-190 mph mark. As a result, he is more than capable of flying the ball 310 yards or more through the air.

But does Rahm see distance in the modern game as a genuine issue which needs to be addressed?

Jon Rahm gives verdict on whether golf has a distance issue

The Spaniard spoke to reporters in Dubai on Tuesday ahead of the DP World Tour Championship later this week.

Rahm was asked whether he believes that professional golf has a genuine distance problem that needs to be solved immediately.

“It’s a tricky question because there’s obviously been an incredible advancement with the technology of the golf ball and the club that’s undeniable,“ he replied.

“Last time I heard, they were saying that the driving distance leaders in 2004 and nowadays aren’t that different. The biggest difference would be probably the average of the Top 20, right. It’s made our misses a lot longer.

“But the way players work at their physical abilities and get stronger in the gym and how much faster we swing overall should also be looked at.

“I do think a lot of the golf course design nowadays is tailored to that. And we go to a major, this year we played a 540-yard par 4, right, and Aaron Rai won, not the longest hitter. But you think, okay, this is what I need to do: 260-yard par 3, 200-yard par 3s, everything just keeps getting longer.“

Jon Rahm suggests what golf courses should do

Rahm explained how short and tight golf courses like Valderrama are more difficult to play than the long ‘bomb and gauge’ layouts.

“When I think a lot of the courses that stand the test of time are narrow short golf courses where you need to place the golf ball, I use the example of Valderrama, right,“ Rahm explained.

“Valderrama hasn’t really changed much since I remember watching it, and it’s just difficult every time you play it. Colonial before they redesigned it; Harbour Town if not windy. This past year it showed how difficult it was.

“I think there’s a discussion to be had in both cases, right. I think there’s something that can be done with golf course design and golf course setup. And it could also be something to entertain to change or limit clubs or the golf ball, but I’m not a proponent of that. I think that kind of — I think there’s so much freedom in design in golf that you could make golf courses that are anti-distance.