Ohio Golf Journal September 2017

become obsolete, because they were too short and no longer challenge golfers. Modern improvements in equipment meant the game would become too easy. Sounds eerily familiar? Second, today’s distance is primarily due to vastly improved launch conditions. The introduction of lighter composite materials used in metal woods and graphite shafts allow for an increase in the size of driver club heads. Original titanium drivers permitted club makers to nearly double clubhead size, plus shafts could be made longer and lighter. These technological advancements yield immense improvement in ball aerodynamics, which has added significant distance, with all clubs. Tour professionals, are the main focus of the “fuzzy thinkers.” They believe the pros hit the ball too far. They forget, however, that modern golf has greatly benefitted from computer-aided instruction (Trackman and FlightScope), improved physical training, plus the simple fact that today’s competitors are bigger and stronger than golfers of the past eras. Improved turf equipment and better agronomy have resulted in courses playing firmer and faster, which also adds to overall distance. With the number of golf courses steadily decreasing, overall land usage is not an issue. It is true, however, that some “fine old courses” may not have the ability to be stretched to accommodate modern professionals. But, that’s OK. The average golfer does not require that every course emulate this year’s U. S. Open venue, Erin Hills, which had the capability to be stretched to over 8,000 yards. The next fact is that in 2017 the average driving distance on the PGA Tour is 291.20 yards. That is an increase of one yard over the preceding ten years. There has not been a “distance explosion” in over a decade. For the recreational player, titanium-headed-graphite- shafted drivers and solid-core- low-spinning urethane cover balls have not produced the gains in yardage achieved by professionals. Modern golf ball technology has not caused golf handicaps to drastically plummet. The typical male golfer does not hit a drive farther than 200 yards. Golf handicaps for the average golfer remain above 15. Only 5% of golfers routinely break 80 and less than 29% post scores under 100. The rulers of our game do not seem to understand or be concerned with the problems of the average golfer, who Ohio Golf Journal