Increased distance - Golf Balls vs Club Technology?

[delc]

Er! They did! And not long after it became an issue either (2004).

Notice that I've removed the 'expensive'. That's not their role. If they did that, Scotty Cameron and loads of others (Miura, Vega etc) would be banned!

Being 'expensive' both in themselves and requiring courses to be made longer is one of the justifications for this thread! Drivers these days typically cost three times as much as their equivalent fairway woods because they have to be made of exotic lightweight materials such as Titanium and Carbon Fibre in order to keep the swing weight at reasonable levels, especially with the longer shafts that they are often fitted with. OK there is some advertising hype involved, and you can usually buy last years model at half price, but they are still expensive even then!

I find my current TM R1 driver ridiculously easy to hit straight, compared with anything else I have used in the past and even my 3-wood. I note from the R&A report that a much higher percentage of club golfers are teeing off with their drivers than in the past, probably for this reason. Haven't 'grip it and rip it' drivers removed some of the challenge from the sport? :mmm:

 

[Twire]

Here's a thought Del, it might be a bit radical, but have you ever thought of embracing the game of golf for what it is, and the rules that govern it? The games been played for hundreds of years, things evolve, technology improves, rules are revised etc. Can you not just enjoy the game within the current boundaries set by the R&A. Your need to change everything you don't agree with is getting tiresome.

 

[delc]

Here's a thought Del, it might be a bit radical, but have you ever thought of embracing the game of golf for what it is, and the rules that govern it? The games been played for hundreds of years, things evolve, technology improves, rules are revised etc. Can you not just enjoy the game within the current boundaries set by the R&A. Your need to change everything you don't agree with is getting tiresome.

Most of the rules of golf are quite sensible, if a bit convoluted in places. Golf has been played for hundreds of years, but for most of that time with plain wooden or steel headed clubs, not the exotic designs and materials that have come about in the last 20 years or so! :mmm:

 

[Twire]

Most of the rules of golf are quite sensible, if a bit convoluted in places. Golf has been played for hundreds of years, but for most of that time with plain wooden or steel headed clubs, not the exotic designs and materials that have come about in the last 20 years or so! :mmm:

*Bangs head against wall*

 

[delc]

*Bangs head against wall*

I my opinion, the R&A and USGA should have insisted on keeping to the traditional form and plain in shape clause in Appendix II of the rules. They have allowed club makers to bend the rules and now we have got to the state we are in!

 

[tsped83]

I my opinion, the R&A and USGA should have insisted on keeping to the traditional and plain in shape clause in Appendix II of the rules. They have allowed club makers to bend the rules and now we have got to the state we are in!

What state is that? Bollocksville USA? Get over it.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Being 'expensive' both in themselves and requiring courses to be made longer is one of the justifications for this thread! Drivers these days typically cost three times as much as their equivalent fairway woods because they have to be made of exotic lightweight materials such as Titanium and Carbon Fibre in order to keep the swing weight at reasonable levels, especially with the longer shafts that they are often fitted with. OK there is some advertising hype involved, and you can usually buy last years model at half price, but they are still expensive even then!

I find my current TM R1 driver ridiculously easy to hit straight, compared with anything else I have used in the past and even my 3-wood. I note from the R&A report that a much higher percentage of club golfers are teeing off with their drivers than in the past, probably for this reason. Haven't 'grip it and rip it' drivers removed some of the challenge from the sport? :mmm:

How many of those players would benefit from teeing off with something other than a driver?
How many of those players are hitting more than 2 or 3 fairways in a round?
How many of those players lose more balls\shots off the tee than from any other shot?

The driver, although now loaded with technology, remains the hardest club to hit straight in the bag. If you can master it, it's a great weapon to have, but in my experience, most amateur golfers still find hitting a driver straight something of a challenge, as do some of the best players in the world.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

*Bangs head against wall*

I think you were looking for this...

 

[Foxholer]

Being 'expensive' both in themselves and requiring courses to be made longer is one of the justifications for this thread! Drivers these days typically cost three times as much as their equivalent fairway woods because they have to be made of exotic lightweight materials such as Titanium and Carbon Fibre in order to keep the swing weight at reasonable levels, especially with the longer shafts that they are often fitted with. OK there is some advertising hype involved, and you can usually buy last years model at half price, but they are still expensive even then!

Twaddle - yet again!

They are only 'expensive' because that is how much people are prepared to pay for them!

Actual cost of production is trivial (little more, if as much as) $10/item and the R&D is really pretty low as well. But plenty of room in a £300 ticket item for Marketing and Profit!

Btw. There's nothing exotic about Titanium or Carbon Fibre these days! Golf is traditionally quite slow on the uptake of new materials - several years after Tennis or Skiing etc.

 

[EuanRoss]

Not going to take the waterproof jacket thread off topic but would like to ask Del where you stand on using modern technology in your rain wear as opposed to a simple smock or kagool (maybe even a Pakamac)

I gotta guess at an easy increase of at least 20 yards in driving distance during play in heavy rain using the lightweight/comfortable/breathable modern rain gear over the type worn 30 years ago, regardless of club/ball

I dont like this modern technology that allows people to place their clubs on a motorised trolly that possibly allows older people or folks with slight ailments to continue playing the game. They should all be made to carry their clubs, they'd all be buggered after about 6 holes and would lose 30 yards in distance anyway. If they can't carry their clubs at all then they'll just have to give up golf.

 

[delc]

How many of those players would benefit from teeing off with something other than a driver?
How many of those players are hitting more than 2 or 3 fairways in a round?
How many of those players lose more balls\shots off the tee than from any other shot?

The driver, although now loaded with technology, remains the hardest club to hit straight in the bag. If you can master it, it's a great weapon to have, but in my experience, most amateur golfers still find hitting a driver straight something of a challenge, as do some of the best players in the world.

I am a 11 handicapper, but very rarely miss a fairway off the tee and haven't lost a ball in the last 4 rounds. I owe this largely to my TM R1 driver (this is not meant as a plug for TM btw). Most of my bad tee shots have been with a 3-wood! In the days of wooden headed clubs, you had to think twice before using a driver, because it was the most difficult club to hit straight.

 

[Foxholer]

... Golf has been played for hundreds of years, but for most of that time with plain wooden or steel headed clubs, not the exotic designs and materials that have come about in the last 20 years or so! :mmm:

Er. That's one side of the debate.

Another, more realistic view is:

Golf has been played for hundreds of years and throughout the entire period, players have constantly trying, and been prepared to pay for the privilege, to use the 'latest and best' to gain an advantage. Some folk will be Ludditic and whinge about change, but progress is inevitable! It is the Ruling Authorities's obligation to set reasonable limits so that this progress can be embraced, without damaging the essence of the game.

And you have the audacity to suggest others are 'rather keen on the status quo'!:rofl:

 

[EuanRoss]

In the days of wooden headed clubs, you had to think twice before using a driver, because it was the most difficult club to hit straight.

The driver, although now loaded with technology, remains the hardest club to hit straight in the bag.

Del, do you even read what other people say.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I am a 11 handicapper, but very rarely miss a fairway off the tee and haven't lost a ball in the last 4 rounds. I owe this largely to my TM R1 driver (this is not meant as a plug for TM btw). Most of my bad tee shots have been with a 3-wood! In the days of wooden headed clubs, you had to think twice before using a driver, because it was the most difficult club to hit straight.

You must be the best 11 handicapper on the planet (or rarely has a different meaning in your world). I consider myself to be a good driver of the ball, certainly one of the better drivers among my peers, and I hit around 50-55% on average.

Taking your obvious ability out of this, how many club golfers do you see that "rarely miss" fairways because I don't see many, I do however, see an awful lot constantly changing their driver because they can't hit the one they have straight and I also hear an awful lot moaning about not being able to find their ball in the rough.

 

[USER1999]

The r and a let it all get out of control the moment they allowed the Haskell ball. It's been down hill all the way, ever since.

And mowers.

What was wrong with using sheep to cut the greens.

 

[Imurg]

It still is!!!!!!

For virtually all amateurs a driver is still more difficult to use effectively than an other club

 

[Foxholer]

I am a 11 handicapper, but very rarely miss a fairway off the tee and haven't lost a ball in the last 4 rounds.

Well one or more of these is happening

1. You are not playing to 11. Perhaps more like either 7 or 23!
2. You not hitting it hard/far enough
3. Your Iron play either stinks or is fantastic!
4. Your short game stinks or is fantastic!
5. Your putting is dire!

or 6. 'very rarely miss a fairway' is twaddle!

 

[delc]

I am genuinely an 11 handicapper and got down to 10 last year. Chipping is my biggest weakness. If I was any good at that I would easily be off single figures.

 

[virtuocity]

I am genuinely an 11 handicapper and got down to 10 last year. Chipping is my biggest weakness. If I was any good at that I would easily be off single figures.

Maybe the R&A should change the rules to allow you to throw the ball on to the green, thus eradicating the need to chip.

 

[One Planer]

Maybe the R&A should change the rules to allow you to throw the ball on to the green, thus eradicating the need to chip.

A' la' Crown Green Bowles?