(Hypothetical) New Rule

[sev112]

Suppose R&A brough in a new rule limiting the MOI of irons and woods, which practically meaned that drivers could be no bigger than say 270cc, and irons effectively had to be blades, and putters had to be thin blades

What do you think would happen to your handicap ?


i think i might lose a shot at most on putting - there are so many people using some very old putters who putt quite well with them.
I think i would lose up to half a dozen shots with my irons - mainly lost distance on mishits
I think i would lose 1 or 2 shots in total due to reduced distance with the woods.

 

[USER1999]

Nothing. I played of 12 for 25 years, which spanned the whole gamut of golf kit development. I am now off ten, up from 9, but it is my mind set which has changed, combined with a better short game. I would be happy to go back to persimmon, if every one else did.

 

[One Planer]

I'd actually enjoy that as my bag full of Blades and wood would look coooooooooooool.

Would your (hypothetical) rule change also apply to shafts and balls?

 

[Jonny]

Not a thing. I play blades up to my 3 iron. Would just swap out the 2 for a lofted wood and the driver for something like a 975d or the like. And my putter is pretty blade like being similar to an anser.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Would probably give the game up if a stupid rule like that came in. Its suppose to be fun, not survival of the fittest especially trying to use that sort of kit in a medal. I used blades as a teenager and to be honest even if by some freak of nature I got down to close to single figure, I'd embrace whatever technological help I could get and wouldn't dream of switching back to anything resembling a bladed club

 

[sev112]

Ah - wooden woods , now that woudl be interesting

PS When ever was an Anser putter anything BUT the antithesis of a blade putter ?

 

[DaveM]

Nothing. Use to hit the old wood better than the new ones. Ok not as far but a lot straighter. got down to single figures with them. Now around 16 with the new clubs.

 

[Jonny]

It's not a blade... but is more so than say a two ball. Besides which I also have a Scotty Napa that I can use pretty effectively. So not really that much of a problem if they wanted heel shafted with no cavity. And apart from the toe hang on the two there's not really that much of a difference. The Newport Beach still has a bloody tiny sweetspot.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Nothing, if those were the tools I'd learn to use them

 

[richart]

Same here. Got down to 6 with persimmon woods and blades in the 70's, and now 11 with all the new gear. Mind you I was a more finely tuned athlete then, and did play a lot more. The driver was the hardest club to hit in persimmon days, now it seems the easiest for all but me.

 

[brendy]

Putting would be my worst aspect if I had to give my two ball away, Id love a set of blade to be honest and learned how to hit a ball with ping eye style woods.

 

[CMAC]

got to 5 with persimmon woods and blades with a shaft (no idea nor cared what shaft flex etc) and a putter that was handed down or 'found' in a cupboard.
So I think I would do better and probably win more

 

[granters]

I kinda do this anyway, still using the 1994 Wilson Staff blades and an original Ping Pal Putter and i do pretty well. Only concession is my 909 driver and Cleveland wedges. I will honestly find it hard to give my blades up, i'm a club or 2 short, but i hit them straight and i know where it's going with them. I've more confidence standing over my knife like 3 iron than i do with any modern one i've tried, it's a comfort thing i suppose

 

[Jaymosafehands]

I'll le you know. I've just bought a 1,3 & 5 Titleist Persimmon woods, and can't wait for them to arrive. I learn't to play (in a fashion) with them so I think it will be fun. With no handicap changes in winter it should spice things up

 

[Pongo]

Suppose R&A brough in a new rule limiting the MOI of irons and woods, which practically meaned that drivers could be no bigger than say 270cc, and irons effectively had to be blades, and putters had to be thin blades

What do you think would happen to your handicap











Do you know I was wondering the same thing except it would be even better if we had to play using 14 hockey sicks and a beach ball. The hole could be a manhole without a lid and we could play on industrial estates free on a Sunday. My handicap would surely tumble.

 

[JezzE]

Suppose R&A brough in a new rule limiting the MOI of irons and woods, which practically meaned that drivers could be no bigger than say 270cc, and irons effectively had to be blades, and putters had to be thin blades

What do you think would happen to your handicap ?


i think i might lose a shot at most on putting - there are so many people using some very old putters who putt quite well with them.
I think i would lose up to half a dozen shots with my irons - mainly lost distance on mishits
I think i would lose 1 or 2 shots in total due to reduced distance with the woods.

I can see your reasoning and line of thought on this, but very much doubt that your handicap would actually double as you're suggesting - I think you'd still find ways to get it round even if your ball-striking was a little less pure. Not sure how I'd actually quantify it, but I'd say a couple of shots tops?

My thinking is that if it really was that impossibly hard with the old bats, nobody would have bothered playing golf because it would have been such a miserable experience offering absolutely no enjoyment. But I don't think it was... or maybe there wasn't so much else to do back then, and in fact if the internet had been around in the 1950s golf would actually have died... but I could be wrong.

 

[chrisd]

I 'd just get on with it



Chris

 

[HickoryShaft]

I'm with Homer on this.

I'd love to say I'd manage, I would loose a few shots here and there but the truth is , being completely honest about it, I would probably give up !!

I know its a bit defeatist but hey, I enjoy playing, why make the game even harder. It would also take the fun out of buying gear - erm shall I go for the new club that looks and performs exactly the same as my present club or stay with this one ....................

By the way - would my gps have to turn into a trangulation device also?

 

[Swinger]

I doubt my handicap would change at all apart from be lower compared to a lot of people who would now struggle off the tee with the swings some of those 400+cc drivers let them get away with.
270cc is still plenty.

Putting wouldn't make a difference as I presume I can have a belly version the correct putter.

 

[Monty_Brown]

I'd really enjoy a different challenge and adapting my swing. I'd love to have an annual club comp played with, say, pre 1985 equipment. Bring out some bright red Farah trousers with the white belt and away you go. Smoking in the clubhouse would also be actively encouraged on that day as well.

I suspect my handicap may creep up a touch at first, but relative to others I'd probably win more and place higher in comps. I had wooden woods when I started, including a Ryder Heel and Toe 3 & 5 wood (not from new, mind!) The modern gear covers a multitude of sins and faults in bad players.