By Jordan FarrWe all love change... don't we?
Well, maybe not when it's just change for the sake of change, but there's something to be said for "keeping up with the times".
Golf... more than many other sports... sometimes struggles with this concept. A small but vocal group of traditionalists would prefer to see the game played the way it was a century ago... and they're not particularly receptive to the idea of change. But for everyone else, it's definitely happening, and some of the most noticable changes have come in the areas of fashion, technology, equipment and instructors.
There's clearly a lot less formality in golf apparel than there once was ... a lot less boxiness and a lot more variety too. Amazing fabrics are being used. They keep golfers warm in the winter, cool in the summer and ultra-flexible in multiple layers. We visited Ralph Lauren Headquarters last month for a preview of their awesome 2011 line. The styles were gorgeous and perfectly designed for golf. There was even a bluetooth enabled wind shirt!
Technology is now used way beyond what a mid-20th century golfer could even dream of. Today you can do things like... read distances on your BlackBerry or play a full scale round at Pebble from your corner pub like I did last weekend. World Golf Tour, my favorite online game, lets me compete on championship course with golfers from all over the world... virtually! The graphics are stunning. BTW WGT is nominated for best online game at the Mashable Awards this year... I just voted for them.The way the sport is taught has also changed quite a bit. Maybe golf's not a game of speed and agility per se... but rather a game of strategy, stamina and technical ability. That doesn’t mean a golfer shouldn't be trained like an athlete, and nowadays golf fitness has become an essential part of becoming a golfer. Techniques and drills and training aids have all evolved as well.
As a beginner, I can't speak too authoritatively about all the changes that have taken place with equipment... I'm still fine with my starter set... but according to my uncle... who buys a new driver every couple of months... they've been epic.I like the way golf is evolving and I'm quite sure the advances that have taken place have made it easier... or at least more fun... to learn. Also there's no denying the game is more open and accessible than it once was. However, a part of me would love to go back to a simpler time, where golf was just... golf... free of technology, unaffected by the fashion runways and devoid of those very annoying, very vigorous fitness programs.
Images: Futuristic Golf Course via Tuvie / WGT logo / Vintage Foursome via Hickory Golf
You covered this theme very well Junior! Although I tend to be a traditionalist about many things, you make some compelling arguments for the evolution of golf.
ReplyDeleteBeing the age I am at, I can remember my Dad talking of his spoon and mashies. Now don't go getting hungry. Those were golf clubs!! He still played with a wooden shafted mallet head putter.
My first set of 1-4 woods had oddly enough, wooden heads. Made from Persimmon wood. But Junior, as you improve, as great as equipment can be, you need to develop feel and touch. That is still the most important thing in golf IMHO.
Ok. I've blabbed quite enough! :)
I love WGT too! Had no idea they were up for an award. Let's play, you choose the course.
ReplyDeleteSince your name is Jordan, maybe you're the modern version of Jordan Baker. That would explain why you sometimes long for the old days. ;)
ReplyDelete.
ReplyDeleteas for WGT, i tried it and i still don't know how i can have a short four foot putt suddenly become a long thirty foot putt coming back - consistently
i can't get the long irons to hit as far from the fairway as the putter hits on the greens
in real life, not even a novice hits a short putt so far off and away from its original distance
dumb
plus where is the cart girl ?
anyway be well
frankD
ftlauderdale FLA
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ReplyDeleteas for traditionalist vs technocrats - the discussions usually are derived from the fact that at the pro level and in major tournaments, the OLD courses are simply irrelevant, as the longer distances puts the ball beyond the spots the OLD courses strategically were designed for
for example, IMAGINE not having the masters played at augusta
the OLD landlocked courses simply cannot expand much beyond 7,500 yards
plus, the strategically placed defenses of the course would be out of play since the pros would simply blow by them
get invited to westchester country club and you will see the shortest course formerly on the tour that no tour player ever was able to overpower with technology
frankD
Hi Frank. This might be heresy, but could there ever come a day when the technology could be dialed back??
ReplyDeleteWere you a member of Westchester?
Good points you have given here, thank you for that
ReplyDelete.
ReplyDeleteducks64,
the technology cannot be dialed back any more than the physical ability of todays professional golfer can be dialed back
and by technology, i include the benefits of modern travel, and shotlink analysis, and personal training, and the like to augment the superior results of todays pro
i do predict that one day augusta national will no longer be a relevant test of tour pro golf skill and therefore the masters will either be played at a new course or the tournament will lose its place as a "major"
the USGA is also having its trouble keeping the US open a real "major" and at the same time staging the tournament at OLD courses
british "majors" will always have the weather to defend their courses and as long as LUCK remains part of golf, well okay
regarding westchester country club WCC, no, but, i was associated thru rick d'arcangelo, who as past-pres of the NYS society of CPS's, was also on the financial board of WCC, as well as my brother's membership at WCC, through kiepura aviation