U.S. Open review
Seven thousand, eight hundred yards. Are you kidding me? What a different game being played in this generation than even 10 years ago. No question the players are stronger, fitter, faster and more prepared than ever before. The equipment has been the real indicator of change. The modern day driver and golf ball have been made so measurably better it’s ridiculous. We hosted our men’s open two weekends ago at Two Eagles and in conjunction held a long drive competition for fun with all of our participants. Can you believe the longest drive at the club level for us was 368 yards, and you had to be over 330 to even get in the top five! That’s insane, it really is a bombers game.
Remember the days when there used to be only a handful of guys at your club who would eclipse the 300 yard mark? Sure you do, cause it really wasn’t that long ago, and it was actually impressive to watch. Now like a lot of things in this day and age the shock factor is much harder to find. A 300-yard bomb seems watered down due to the technological gains in equipment. Even Joe weekend hacker can eclipse the three bills mark with a firm swing and some luck to have the clubface find the ball in a square manner.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining I’m simply an observer and constant student of the game. I make my living from selling Joe hacker the new equipment and my personal business is quite literally built on helping Joe get better and enjoy the game more. Let’s face it, more distance for most people really does equal more fun and hopefully a better time on the golf course.
I guess I’m like any person of experience who (for a lack of a better term) looks back on the “good old days”. I can’t help but romanticize about the times we used to shape the golf ball both ways, and feel like a stud when we’d hit the green in two on a par five, rather than just expecting to do it. I’m not criticizing the game of the future here, I’m just recognizing a bit of nostalgia from a guy who feels fortunate enough to have caught the tail end of the last ball striking era – and believe it has made me a better coach most days because of it.
I do however hope we have maxed out golf course length after this last US Open. As we just saw 7800 yards still boasted the lowest scores in the history, of what historically is one of the hardest tournaments in relation to par on the planet. So I ask you, what’s next? 8000 yards? This guy sure hopes not. Want to make a golf course tough? Grow the rough, make it firm, make it fast, and make it tight, oh and maybe bring back an older golf ball.