YOUR SAY LETTER OF THE MONTH
…AND IN MORE FAKE NEWS
Well, a lot has been said about “fake news” lately in the media, and the February article by John Huggan (To the R&A and USGA I present Exhibit A) comes close to this category.
I understand as a media provider that there is a content of info-tainment required. But to sensationalise the “Distance Debate” in this manner is really just ‘fake news’.
Golf Digest has just released an article stating that the driving distance has increased on five of the seven major world pro tours by a measly 0.2 yards since 2003 a lousy 1.2 percent gain in 13 years. “Exhibit A?” Stop the nonsense, here, here! You briefly mention that ruling bodies have said exactly what I have mentioned above and dare to say they don’t include driving distances. Absolute hogwash! Every possible statistic is available and easily accessed by the masses. I suspect you may simply have jumped on the hot topic bandwagon, of how far the new golfers hit the ball these days, and decided to write an article. The reason we are now seeing the occasional 400 yard drive on tour, is a combination of factors. The main contributor is not the turbo charged golf balls as you suggest, but is the athleticism of the new breed, tall slim flat-bellied pro golfers and their regimes for achieving the absolute peak of golf-specific fitness. Combined with the access to the Trackman-type technology that can identify exactly what is required to maximise all things, especially distance. Of course, there are the obvious advances in club technology too, and not to mention the de-lofting of all the irons.
I agree normal golf courses should not be lengthened to combat the extra distance gained, and this is my point. Research the possibilities of strategic bunkering, tree placement, type of roughs etc,etc. Don’t blame the golf ball.
Remember, all of us have the option to enhance our ability or driving distance, it’s all about how much you want to improve. Sure, we won’t all be able to hit as it as far as the No.125 ranked Nicolas Colsaerts, whom is 34 years old and 6ft 2in tall. But we can improve! Also you shouldn’t compare a 50-something, overweight out of condition six-marker golf writer’s distance to a Touring Pro.
The article really got on my nerves, and finally the golf courses I play on have never been “screwed with” (made longer) to combat long drivers. Seriously. Greg Maxwell
via e-mail [Not really fake news when you consider every Tour player on a ball contract with any company promotes how their current ball goes further and stops quicker than any ball they have used before.- Editor]