How many years...?

[Hobbit]

No its not your age...

How many years have you been playing golf?

And what changes have you seen?

I first hit a ball out on the course in July 1968, at the age of 9.

And the changes...

As a junior I had to change my shoes in the greenkeeper's shed, and if I wanted a coke I had to knock on the kitchen door... juniors in the clubhouse, er no it wasn't allowed at the club I was a member at the 60's.

And the major change for me in terms of equipment is how easy the modern driver is to hit. Go back 25 years and I was one of the longest hitters in the club. I'm nowhere near that now but I'm hitting the ball further than 25 years ago.

 

[CliveW]

I too have been playing off and on since the mid sixties. Apart from the equipment, the standard of golf courses has improved greatly over the years. Greens then were like todays fairways and the fairways were full of weeds, divots, rabbit holes etc.

 

[bobmac]

Very similar dates to you hobbit. But we had a hatch at the bar for the juniors that we couldnt see over as it was too high. Good planning that.

 

[richart]

Started playing early 70's. The juniors had there own clubhouse at Reading, a shed. Pro's were not allowed in clubhouses at some courses, which seems a good rule to me Bob ! I would be quite happy to go back to wooden drivers, as it was the hardest club to hit then, and sorted the men out from the boys. Now it seems the easiest club for all but me. Have kept my persimmon driver just in case.

Don't remember the courses being in worse condition than now, except in the heatwave of 1976, when the course was desert like, and almost unplayable.

 

[CMAC]

played since 14 and biggest change was the American big ball, couldnt believe how big it was compared to our 1.62, wish I'd kept some still in their wrapper, wouldve been worth something now

 

[Piece]

Started when I was 16 and played for two years at Guildford. Gave up for uni and then started again when I was 24. Now 40 odd

 

[chris661]

Been playing on and off for nearly thirty years which isn't too bad as I am only 33! But only really been playing seriously again for 6 years or so.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Been playing for 40-odd years since about 1969/70.

Definately agree that better balls and huge drivers have changed the game. Would love to see some of the younger guys try hiting the old wooden headed ones that we learned with.

Golf is seen as a less elitist (mostly), it's certainly more accessible and has a much better image these days and juniors are much better treated. We should all thank Seve for that. Those who weren't around when he took the game by storm probably can't imagine what a dull image the game had generally and certainly among younger people. In the 70's and 80's the game became much more colourful in every way.

I'd also add that the women's professional game has now really established itself in Europe compared to those days and I think Laura Davies and Anneka Sorenstam should take a lot of credit for that and giving it real credibility as a sport this side of the Atlantic.

Oh and golf shoes are so much better!!!

 

[Junior]

5 years, only the last 2 seriously. Wish i'd have played when i was a teenager. At the ripe old age of 33 i'm a bit too analytical of my game and wish it was a bit more natural.

 

[rosecott]

Started playing in 1955 at Kinross which was then a 9-hole course. Now there are 2 18-hole courses as part of the Green Hotel. In those days you had to be a “bona fide” traveller to get a drink on Sundays. I used to get the bus from home (6 miles away) with my clubs, play 18 holes, off to the hotel to sign in as a “bona fide” traveller, have a drink and something to eat, play another 18 holes, have another drink then onto the bus back home.

 

[Mungoscorner]

I've only been playing golf since 2000,and had 3 years away from 2008 untill a couple of months agnly real changes i've seen,are in club technology,biggest changes are the balls and large headed drivers.
I remember thinking my Ping ISI was huge,its tiny in comparison to todays 460 drivers.

 

[Crow]

I started in the late 70s, used to hire half a dozen clubs that were carried around in a length of fireman's hose with the end sewn up, class! I also remeber the old 1.62 ball.

Had a 20 year lay off from 1987 apart from the odd very rare game and started playing again in 2007, loving it more than I ever did.

Biggest changes for me have been in drivers, the ball and putters. The gimmicks seen in today's putters are getting outlandish. (And don't anybody dare mention belly putters!!)

 

[daymond]

No one wore a glove.
No one had a trolly.
Wooden headed clubs.
Have played on and off for 56 years. Where has the time gone. Make the most of it boys.

 

[Imurg]

Began hacking in about '91, started properly in '93.
Had a five year break of sorts around 2000 due to The Boy arriving and then my shattered ankle, only played 5-6 times in that period. Back to serious play in 05/06.
The ball has been a big change. The old Balata balls, one thin and they were toast.
Drivers made of wood, putters that wouldn't look out of place at a crazy golf stall...
And unless you play with Rick, Murph or Viscount, these days you don't get much that would antagonise the Fashion Police