Ball limits; should they be changed?

[cleveland52]

If scoring is not the issue and, for example, a tournament is won with 4 under par who cares what they are hitting into the green?
If they aren’t scoring ridiculous amounts under par, why on earth would we care what clubs they are using?
Is this all about people wanting to see a pro having to hit a mid to long iron as a second shot every now and again?

Guess so.

 

[Backsticks]

If scoring is not the issue and, for example, a tournament is won with 4 under par who cares what they are hitting into the green?

Anyone who cares for the game of golf. The game is both most enjoyable for the bulk of us, and a best test for the elites when it involves variety. As it used to be. Holes that take a drive and a range of clubs for the second shot, from shot pitch to a spoon. Roughly four holes that required a third shot, generally a shorter iron, with the green area allowing for that, being typically small and requiring precision. Drive and wedge contests are less golf than real golf, with a pitch and putt the other pole of the game. The best game is the one in the middle.

 

[Crow]

Or why not forget the traditional shot making skills and just go pure long drive competition?
No need for ball roll back, everyone gets to smash the ball as hard and as far as they can, or watches someone else do it, everyone's happy!
Ba Ba Boooey!

 

[Voyager EMH]

I believe it was some time around 1960 that Henry Longhurst said or wrote,

"... golf balls that fly for miles and render obsolescent the structure and intent of almost every existing golf course."


I wonder what Longhurst would have thought about a 283-yard par 3, a 542-yard par 4 and a 623-yard par 5. Coming soon to your screens.

 

[AussieKB]

I was at a friends yesterday and he had a Greg Norman book from 1988, in which he gave the distance for how far these clubs carried before any roll out etc.

Driver 260 yards
3 Wood 230 yards
1 Iron 210 yards
7 Iron 155 yards
Sand Wedge 100 yards

Obviously the Driver was not metal.
If this was still the case then there would be no need to continually lengthen courses, I know we cannot put the genie back in the bottle but I would love to see today's Pro's play with these old equipment, plus the balls of that era.

I would love to see 18 holes with the top boys going at it, don't think there would be many in the low 60's, also they would have to move the tee's up to the relevant yardage of the day.

 

[IanM]

Faldo was on tv at the British Masters saying that it's not just the distance, but shot shape and trajectory too!

It's a different game now...

 

[Crumplezone]

Anyone who cares for the game of golf. The game is both most enjoyable for the bulk of us, and a best test for the elites when it involves variety. As it used to be. Holes that take a drive and a range of clubs for the second shot, from shot pitch to a spoon. Roughly four holes that required a third shot, generally a shorter iron, with the green area allowing for that, being typically small and requiring precision. Drive and wedge contests are less golf than real golf, with a pitch and putt the other pole of the game. The best game is the one in the middle.

If pros are hitting wedges 150 yards plus, is it still a wedge? No matter what loft it is. Surely the same level of accuracy of line is required as if a normal human were hitting a 7 iron.

 

[Wabinez]

If pros are hitting wedges 150 yards plus, is it still a wedge? No matter what loft it is. Surely the same level of accuracy of line is required as if a normal human were hitting a 7 iron.

nope.

have a read of D-Plane. The amount of loft allows you to hit it a bit more varied on the face and it won’t go as much off-line.

 

[garyinderry]

Reduce the size of the club heads. They used to be small. Go back to that and bring the skill back.

 

[Wabinez]

Reduce the size of the club heads. They used to be small. Go back to that and bring the skill back.

Causes too many issues.

Manufacturers would never, ever sign up to it. Would affect amateurs to a massive level.

just not happening

 

[Voyager EMH]

Lets just continue to make golf easier and easier for everyone.
Isn't it about time that we make the holes bigger?

 

[wjemather]

Lets just continue to make golf easier and easier for everyone.
Isn't it about time that we make the holes bigger?

Lee Westwood has suggested exactly that on numerous occasions.

 

[Crow]

Lets just continue to make golf easier and easier for everyone.
Isn't it about time that we make the holes bigger?

And make valley fairways with bowl greens where the hole is always in the middle, so sliced and hooked shots roll back to the centre of the fairway and balls automatically go in the hole if they land on the green.

Think of all the fun for the "Get in the hole" shouters!

 

[sweaty sock]

And make valley fairways with bowl greens where the hole is always in the middle, so sliced and hooked shots roll back to the centre of the fairway and balls automatically go in the hole if they land on the green.

Think of all the fun for the "Get in the hole" shouters!

Make sure to be very clear that relief from divots is NOT allowed.

Im all for rollback, but im just taking the 'crowllback' appraoch and using blades and persimmon from 1982.

While the stats say the distance kills you, Im sure on 6000 yard courses, how much you have to reign in the power to control the gear effect hooks and slices that do the most damage. Making driver heads 250cc would really sort the men from the boys on tour!!