As the golf professional at a golf course that recorded the first round in 1902, I am often asked how I feel about the length of golf courses and the ability for today’s modern players to minimize golf course length, forcing facilities into producing 500-yard par-4s. My first reaction to all of this is jealousy. I could never hit a golf ball far, even as I improved and turned professional, so I live with the little green monster of length.
Turning back to the topic of hitting a golf ball far enough to render a golf course defenseless, golf is the only sport that is forced to increase the playing field. Baseball fences have been moved in, football, basketball and hockey have stayed the same space for years, despite all players getting bigger, faster and stronger.
So in 2000, if a Tour player hit his 6-iron 175 yards, now it is 197. What used to be a 450-yard hole has been reduced by, effectively, 44 yards. Now, what happens to classically designed golf courses that have 370-yard holes? That par-4 just became 328 yards through technology.
Enough of the math! How to fix it? The genie is out of the bottle. The only way to make the game of golf resemble anything that is relatable to fans, is to limit the golf ball.
Increase the spin rate, allow it to curve and soften the cover to the point that it cannot be squished or compressed beyond reason. A Tour player today would be shocked if they were required to play the golf ball that Jack Nicklaus won his last major with in 1986. Not by the fact that it does not go as far, but the most shocking aspect would be that it curves!
If a Tour player was worried about a ball curving out of bounds, left or right, the swings would slow down, the speed would be throttled, and the quality of golf would improve. No longer would you turn on your TV and see smash-up derby.
You would see marksman, bullseye players that have skills that are to be admired and copied.
It would make golf more enjoyable to watch, easier to comprehend, and possibly produce many more relatable moments.
Rich Conwell is the General Manager & PGA Head Golf Professional at Wheeling Country Club and can be reached with questions or comments at rconwell@wheelingcountryclub.com or 304-232-2000.
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