Golf Random Irritations

[Lord Tyrion]

@Lucifer MorningStar in terms of golf, I'm going off what I've heard and seen. Most golfers in the 70's and 80's had smoother swings, not the more aggressive styles of today. You get individual golfers that would rip it but they were not the norm.

My background was more cricket and that was 100% technique driven. Whether batting or bowling, technique came first. 20-20 has changed all that, coaching has followed.

If it's not a complete change, it's certainly significant.

 

[timd77]

Leaves (2025 version)

Having medal comps when the course is covered in leaves! Just have stableford until they’ve mulched down a bit!

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

@Lucifer MorningStar in terms of golf, I'm going off what I've heard and seen. Most golfers in the 70's and 80's had smoother swings, not the more aggressive styles of today. You get individual golfers that would rip it but they were not the norm.

My background was more cricket and that was 100% technique driven. Whether batting or bowling, technique came first. 20-20 has changed all that, coaching has followed.

If it's not a complete change, it's certainly significant.

The smoother swing was nothing to do with not hitting it hard. It was to do with the equipment and timing because of smaller heads but it was still wildly taught hit it hard first and dial it back after as you can always get slower but you can’t always get faster.

Great little stats MGS did a few years ago to compare tour distances using modern and old equipment using PGAT official stats.

175 golfers played on tour in 1980, only 32 hit it less than 250, majority were 250-260, 53 players 260-270 (that’s huge considering the equipment). Now factor in that was with Persimmon unforgiving small headed drivers. The swing may look smooth but to get those numbers using old Balata balls shows that they were hitting it bloody hard. The only real difference in the 90s was the metal head drivers and introduction of better firmer balls.

It’s only been since 2000 on the gym guys got involved and equipment moved on leaps and bounds so swings look harder as guys are more athletic but even they would struggle to hit those 1980s distances with small drivers and softer balata balls. Even Ernie Els and Freddie Couples the smooth swinging gods they are acknowledged they hit it hard it’s just they did it in a different way.

 

[Oops!]

Because it’s easier to start fast than to build a slow swing and gain speed later.

And if you want to be a good player, you need speed.

Well, let me put it this way: I've always admired pros who could hit a ball exactly where they wanted it to go - even “around the corner” (doglegs!) if necessary. Distance alone has never impressed me.

I admire technical skills, elegance, and finesse, complete mastery of the sports equipment, i.e., the club, the ball, and one's own body. THAT is skill!

Anyone can use brute force; IMHO that's nothing special.

And IMVHO it's much, much harder to get from technique to power than the other way around, and it's worlds easier to use more power when the basics are right.

At least in my experience.

But I also like swing music and dance, so I might not be the best judge...!

 

[Golfnut1957]

Having medal comps when the course is covered in leaves! Just have stableford until they’ve mulched down a bit!

Fortunately, the only comp we have during the "off" season is a Sunday winter league. We even have a local "leaf" rule which allows a free drop if you can't find your ball in a pile of leaves.

Most people I know don't bother applying the leaf rule, it doesn't really feel equitable when the whole course feels as though it's covered in leaves. We tend to just suck it up and move on.

 

[clubchamp98]

Agree.......that is what is taught now....hit the bloody ball as hard as you can.....
we will straighten it out later.

Until your back goes and your finished as a player.

 

[timd77]

Fortunately, the only comp we have during the "off" season is a Sunday winter league. We even have a local "leaf" rule which allows a free drop if you can't find your ball in a pile of leaves.

Most people I know don't bother applying the leaf rule, it doesn't really feel equitable when the whole course feels as though it's covered in leaves. We tend to just suck it up and move on.

See that just sounds sensible!! It’s not the losing a ball that really annoys me (although it does), it’s having to go back to the tee after spending 3 minutes looking for it in the middle of the fairway, frustrating and slows play down.

 

[AussieKB]

Until your back goes and your finished as a player.

I didn't say it was right, but that is what the coaches do now......I remember when Woods was bombing it they said his back would eventually go, and there are plenty others in this boat but they still made a load of money.

Was it worth it ? you can make up your own mind.

 

[clubchamp98]

I didn't say it was right, but that is what the coaches do now......I remember when Woods was bombing it they said his back would eventually go, and there are plenty others in this boat but they still made a load of money.

Was it worth it ? you can make up your own mind.

I wouldn’t mind the odd twinge for half his cash!

 

[Slime]

See that just sounds sensible!! It’s not the losing a ball that really annoys me (although it does), it’s having to go back to the tee after spending 3 minutes looking for it in the middle of the fairway, frustrating and slows play down.

We just drop another ball and are now playing our 4th shot.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I wouldn’t mind the odd twinge for half his cash!

I think he has more than the odd twinge.

I'd take Els swing, longevity and be £1 behind him .

 

[jim8flog]

Can you put your finger on why?

With me it’s normally my short game and putting.

A good player never loses their swing overnight.

But some of us lose it over a period of time, gone from 8 to 16 in just 3 years.
At least the rise from 5 to 8 was over about 10 years.

Simple reasons - age and injuries.

 

[WorldHandicapSystem]

Well, let me put it this way: I've always admired pros who could hit a ball exactly where they wanted it to go - even “around the corner” (doglegs!) if necessary. Distance alone has never impressed me.

I admire technical skills, elegance, and finesse, complete mastery of the sports equipment, i.e., the club, the ball, and one's own body. THAT is skill!

Anyone can use brute force; IMHO that's nothing special.

And IMVHO it's much, much harder to get from technique to power than the other way around, and it's worlds easier to use more power when the basics are right.

At least in my experience.

But I also like swing music and dance, so I might not be the best judge...!

No one has ever had the ability to hit it exactly where they wanted it to go. Not even Tiger in 2000.

Anyone can’t use brute force. As someone else mentioned. Quite a few top top pros have tried and disappeared thereafter.

The very top players have both power and skill. Hitting the ball as far and straight as Rory or Bryson takes an insane amount of skill.

The top players are also still manoeuvring the ball around the course too.

 

[WorldHandicapSystem]

I think he has more than the odd twinge.

I'd take Els swing, longevity and be £1 behind him

Another big hitter back in the day.

I didn't say it was right, but that is what the coaches do now......I remember when Woods was bombing it they said his back would eventually go, and there are plenty others in this boat but they still made a load of money.

Was it worth it ? you can make up your own mind.

It’s pretty wildly documented his injuries were from extracurricular activities and over exercising.

 

[AussieKB]

Another big hitter back in the day.

It’s pretty wildly documented his injuries were from extracurricular activities and over exercising.

Maybe even taking Performance Enhancing Drugs ??

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Another big hitter back in the day.

It’s pretty wildly documented his injuries were from extracurricular activities and over exercising.

Big hitter but with a so much smoother action. No jarring of the back with that swing

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Maybe even taking Performance Enhancing Drugs ??

But if a leap to accuse someone of PES use especially in sport where WADA testing is rife and the biggest name in the game under so much scrutiny!

 

[AussieKB]

But if a leap to accuse someone of PES use especially in sport where WADA testing is rife and the biggest name in the game under so much scrutiny!

Look at his history...and he went years when PGA did not test him....then has recent car accident and is not tested for drugs.....
who gets away with that....

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Look at his history...and he went years when PGA did not test him....then has recent car accident and is not tested for drugs.....
who gets away with that....

I just think if you’re going to throw that out there then there needs to be a little more proof than what you’re offering!

His physique was decent but not really consistent with prolonged PED use, I’m not going to get into any further as to accuse someone of Drug use requires a lot more proof than well he didn’t get tested!!

 

[Lord Tyrion]

But if a leap to accuse someone of PES use especially in sport where WADA testing is rife and the biggest name in the game under so much scrutiny!

Is, or was, WADA testing rife in golf? I thought it was pretty slack when it came to golf, certainly before it went into the Olympics.