My opinion is that there are some things that have improved golfer's results and some things that have made the game harder.
The new drivers are improving golfer results. The hit it longer and their miss dispersion is tighter. But to combat that the courses are now longer and are more 'carry oriented.' Lot less letting the ball run up to the green or run down the fairway. They call it 'target golf', I all it 'carry golf.' And a lot more water in today's courses. Before 1985, how many times did you see an island green?
But on the other hand, the greens are generally in better shape so more putts *should* fall.
I firmly believe though that the Game Improvement irons and clubfitting has basically allowed golfers to just further incorporate their flaws and compensations into their swing.
I think the teaching is getting *better*, but still woefully behind. I think HK put us on the right path, but after his death it took roughly 20 years to start getting the ball rolling again.
3JACK
The constant watering of fairways and rough don't help the HI either. A wonderful Bobby Weed designed links style golf course near my home was built with the most wonderful rolling fairways, but there is so much irrigation the ball lands and stops. A course originally designed to have the game played more on the ground is now just like every other course in the area.
I am sure this is largely in response to the uneducated golfer demanding green grass everywhere they look. This superb golf course now plays like every other golf course in the area.
I guess that is actually a whole different matter.
Here is a gem I found today from our friend Ralph. Just as you say...
"The only purpose of the golf swing is to move the club through the ball square to the target at maximum speed. How this is done is of no significance at all, so long as the method employed enables it to be done repetitively."--John Jacobs
Now, if I could only do as we say. I've been playing golf seriously for four years and until about 6 weeks I didn't realize this. I hope it is something I can learn repetitively as Mr. Jacobs said.
My opinion is that there are some things that have improved golfer's results and some things that have made the game harder.
The new drivers are improving golfer results. The hit it longer and their miss dispersion is tighter. But to combat that the courses are now longer and are more 'carry oriented.' Lot less letting the ball run up to the green or run down the fairway. They call it 'target golf', I all it 'carry golf.' And a lot more water in today's courses. Before 1985, how many times did you see an island green?
But on the other hand, the greens are generally in better shape so more putts *should* fall.
I firmly believe though that the Game Improvement irons and clubfitting has basically allowed golfers to just further incorporate their flaws and compensations into their swing.
I think the teaching is getting *better*, but still woefully behind. I think HK put us on the right path, but after his death it took roughly 20 years to start getting the ball rolling again.
3JACK
Despite all that things haven't changed that much score wise in the past quarter century. I think some courses should be designed for the average golfer in mind, not the 1% that they currently are.
The constant watering of fairways and rough don't help the HI either. A wonderful Bobby Weed designed links style golf course near my home was built with the most wonderful rolling fairways, but there is so much irrigation the ball lands and stops. A course originally designed to have the game played more on the ground is now just like every other course in the area.
I am sure this is largely in response to the uneducated golfer demanding green grass everywhere they look. This superb golf course now plays like every other golf course in the area.
I guess that is actually a whole different matter.
It does get mundane. I played a links course last season that wouldn't allow the golfer to play a long the ground. A bit disappointing.
This subject is brought up frequently, and I think: Golf has been played for hundreds of years. Why should the average handicap suddenly start to drop? Because we are a lot more talented than our forefathers? Because we put more time and devotion into the game?
Golf has become a mass sport. I would think many who play golf today are infrequent flyers who also do a lot of other things and never really put in the time to learn the game.
So I'll actually take it as a sign of progress if the average handicap hasn't gone up actually.
How many scratch and plus handicappers are there today compared to 50 years ago?
I've been playing golf seriously for four years and until about 6 weeks I didn't realize this. I hope it is something I can learn repetitively as Mr. Jacobs said.
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