Ohio Golf Journal September 2017

occasionally makes a par and buys a celebratory beer, when he happens to make a birdie. Additionally, the United States Golf Association (USGA) sends a mixed message as they explore the idea that golf ball distance should be reduced, all the while encouraging weekend warriors to play from a shorter tee set. That argument seems a bit illogical at best. The culprit, most often cited is the low-spin, solid-core, urethane-covered, Titleist Pro V1 , which debuted in the fall 2000 and immediately became the most-played ball on the PGA Tour. Professional golf is part of the entertainment industry. The business model should provide just that and give customers what they want. Chicks, as well as, Golf Fans Dig the LONG BALL! Golf fans want 300-plus drives, short par-4’s and 5’s, that yield birdies and eagles galore. The biggest topic of conversation at golf shops around the country, after the Dustin Johnson’s win over Jordan Spieth at the Northern Trust, centered around his 347-yard drive on the first playoff hole, not Spieth’s accuracy off the tee. In 2007, the scoring average on Tour was 71.34 compared to this season’s 72.00. Twenty years ago, the scoring average was 71.77, proving courses are not getting easier, despite what somewould lead you to believe. As Frank Thomas, former technical director of the USGA and current golf industry consultant has often stated, “Driving distance has gone as far as it can go, because the physics involved are maxed out.” Part of the “fuzzy thinking” can be attributed to media. It’s easy to write that a well- known player, ex-player or some administrator decrying the state of the game. One headline trumpeted “Great Balls of Fire!” The cheap- shot headline referred to today’s low-spin golf balls and displayed a complete lack of knowledge, not to mention an abuse of journalistic standards. In conclusion, there’s no horrific problem with the distance the golf ball travels. That’s just plain old “fuzzy thinking.” History has proven, the solution is easy, Do Nothing. We need to ignore the “Golf Ball Distance Crisis,” because if we don’t, “ fuzzy thinking” will eventually prevail. Ohio Golf Journal