harpo_72
Journeyman Pro
The ball is the solution, having played some vintage stuff the driver distance isn’t overly different. The ball is the key, if we change the compression and simply change the spin characteristics ( actually just grab a 20 yr old ball design and reproduce it as a starting point- and see where that ends up and adjust from there) Changing the ball is the easiest and cheapest solution as it’s disposable.I quite like what appears to be more USA style, the better(sometimes including longer) hitters play from tees further back to bring hazards into play.
For a guy like you played with, other than scoring well, the course is not asking him enough questions. Ie. can he hit 'the' shot rather than the bunkers arent in play even on a bad shot for that guy, whereas it is asking you the question.
I tend to enjoy the courses that ask me loads of questions, as I dont really care about the scores.
Or personally I would like to see changes with regards to the ball and ensure it flys say 15% less than currently and play the courses nearer to how they were designed for the length/shapes etc of the hole.
I don’t think you will get more from the clubs - you could go shorter shaft, smaller head and put weight bandings on shafts but my guess is that will yield little for too much expense and cause a differentiation discussion that will never end.
Changing the course could impact the appearance, I think letting the rubbish grow at those distances and defining the landing zone as smaller and narrower is good .. a bunker from 150 in is a toothless dog, quilting is a good tactic as it kicks the ball off into the rubbish… force accuracy into the game and then no one is going to bemoan a good shot as opposed to the smash it approach