The Golden Age of Golf?
Are we living in the golden age of golf right now? Dave Austad analyzes the situation. Plus, Henrik Stenson played really slow. Like really slow. Get the scoop in today's Golf Insider.
The Golden Age of Golf?
Do you dig the long ball? Most do. For the better part of the past 25 years, companies like Callaway, Taylormade and Ping have focused on the long ball. Make no doubt about it, the technology worked. Average drives on the PGA tour went from 255 yards in 1980 to 285 yards in 2003. As a result, courses got longer and often times tighter. What good is 300 yard drive that plunks into the lake? At this point, do we really want more distance, or do we want accuracy?
The answer of course is YES to both. Average drives today are still going up, now over 290 yards. However, there has been a paradigm shift – the same club makers that for decades focused on distance, are now trying to keep you in the fairway. Adjustable lofts, angles and weighting now allow players better control while still offering more distance than the we’ve ever seen. Are we in golfs golden age? From an equipment perspective, there is no doubt.
Hurry Up, Henrik!
Henrik Stenson lost the Arnold Palmer Invitational by one stroke on Sunday after leading down the stretch. Things appeared to be going to plan until Henrik and playing partner Morgan Hoffman were put on the clock for slow play on hole 15. Henrik proceeded to 3-putt 15 and 16, causing him to eventually lose the tournament by one stroke. Following the tournament Henrik had this to say “I'm a little bit disappointed with the outcome, but I'm as much disappointed with the PGA Tour officials for putting us on the clock on 15, starting to chase us down the stretch.” I like Henrik, but have little sympathy for him in this scenario. Speed golfers shoot par or better in 2 hours! Slow play is bad for the game, regardless of skill or level. Here’s to hoping all rounds are played in under 4 hours in 2015!
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