It's a different game.........

[Imurg]

To the one I play.
Just seen Rory hit the par 5 first at Doral (529 yards) in 2. Nothing unusual about that - I can do that (just!).
But he used a 9 iron from 201 yards out.

Let me say that again.

A 9 iron from 201 yards out.

And they say nothing needs to be done to limit how far these guys are hitting it!!!!!

 

[slaznick]

and he was in the rough!!

 

[TonyN]

Tell me about it, I didnt take notice of his yardage but heard them say hes taking a 9, Then I saw Kenny perry's yardage of 188 about 10 yards infront of Rory, My face looked like this

 

[boggybop]

The sad thing is that I would be happy to achieve half that range out of the rough

 

[borntorunsean]

how is he hitting it so far?

 

[Imurg]

Its not just him - they're all doing it.

Hitting 9 irons into par 5's as a 2nd shot is just wrong - unless you're laying-up!

 

[boggybop]

The temperature must play an important role?

 

[golf_bug]

Surely there was some wind as well? How far does he hit his driver? 320?

 

[RGDave]

To the one I play.
Just seen Rory hit the par 5 first at Doral (529 yards) in 2. Nothing unusual about that - I can do that (just!).
But he used a 9 iron from 201 yards out.

Let me say that again.

A 9 iron from 201 yards out.

And they say nothing needs to be done to limit how far these guys are hitting it!!!!!

It's silly. REALLY SILLY.
i.m.o. eventually they will be forced to do something.

 

[minty18]

Fot me i think different levels of golfer should have to use different balls, ie. the pro's have to use a more weighted ball than the mere mortals.

Failing that it wont be long till we have 10,000yd golf courses....

 

[boggybop]

I totally agree, and I don't understand why clubs golfers will be hit with the new groove regulations eventually. Surely the major problem with the Pro's game is that the long game is just too long, not the amount of spin obtained out of the rough. You would think that spin is of less importance, but could end up making the game far harder for us club players whilst not really affecting the pro game.

 

[RGDave]

Fot me i think different levels of golfer should have to use different balls, ie. the pro's have to use a more weighted ball than the mere mortals.

Failing that it wont be long till we have 10,000yd golf courses....

Couldn't agree more. I can't see it being well received though, and probably not on this forum.

 

[Macster]

I think in all honesty, his 9 iron is probably 2/3* stronger than yours or mine, and therefore plays more like a 7iron, which is still impressive enough from 201yds.

But the temp will play a part too.

Does anyone know if the Pro's DO play their irons a few degrees strong ?

 

[birdieman]

Come on lads, I grew up hitting balata balls with wooden drivers and I for one do not want to go back to the 'good old days'.

The 201 9 iron is not usual. I expect there is some serious wind and heat issues helping that. Remember out of the rough the ball does not spin, you get a 'flier' so in effect can go like a 6 iron.

They've drawn a line under it a few years ago with 0.83 COR and ball limitations, average hitting distances have not gone up significantly since around 2000.

The ball technology has improved control in the wind mainly rather than distance - they could hit a cheapo Pinnacle further than the premium balls anyway, it just wouldn't stop!

Just enjoy watching it.

 

[mono217]

well if you come up to bootle cease to be amazed because one of our par fives is a easy one to hit in 2 i hit drive pw or 9 iron depends but some if they are long are just short of driving it.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think a lot of it will be down to humidity and temperature. It looks like the winfd is gusting too and if he had a flier lie it seems perfectly reasonable if a little far fetched for mere mortals.

 

[HTL]

I think in all honesty, his 9 iron is probably 2/3* stronger than yours or mine, and therefore plays more like a 7iron, which is still impressive enough from 201yds.

But the temp will play a part too.

Does anyone know if the Pro's DO play their irons a few degrees strong ?

The opposite to this mate, all players irons have weaker lofts compared to game improvement clubs. Have a look in Golf World where they show the clubs / lofts and distance the top players have.

 

[Smiffy]

I think in all honesty, his 9 iron is probably 2/3* stronger than yours or mine, and therefore plays more like a 7iron

Cushty.
I'll try that tomorrow then

 

[Dodger]

change the ball...the golden bear has been saying it for years!

 

[Herbie]

I dont find this all that surprising, what I find a surprise is the fact that he missed the fairway.

I can hit a 9 iron 160 or more if I spank it (trouble is accuracy fails when I do this)and on a nice hot day with maybe a following breeze I recon I wouldn't be far short of that with a good bounce and thats with my cheep and cheerful current set of clubs.As for driving, I hit one last week that was 320 yds, simply a perfect draw strike and a lovely back wind followed by favourable bounce, normally I hit 240 to 270, big difference of 50 yds or more with a bit of wind.

Tell me, did he bounce it onto the green or hit the green, and was there a tail wind?

Thing is, if it was hot and he had a tail breeze, none of this is anything more than I would expect most tour pro's to do, however if none of these factors were involved I'm never gonna pick a fight with him! woo hoo!