by Alfie Ward
Derek Duncan makes some highly relevant comments about the state of 21st century golf and the farcical nature in which the sport purports to be progressing. But he appears to be stuck in that familiar golfers vacuum where solutions to little problems either don't exist, or they're just too much trouble to institute ?
Yes, golf courses have been forced to expand like unbreakable elastic bands for the past century to counter the ingenuity of science and technology. A hundred year war has waged that's seen golf win a few skirmishes along the way, only to see the very essence of the sport being ripped from it's soul in lost battles over technology !
But no ! We, as golfers, should not just lie down in sad apathy to await the possibility of golfing Armageddon. If there is a problem within golf, and I firmly believe there is, then the solution should be enforced without any further ado - namely the institution of a standardised golf ball for one and all. (aka, the rollback !)
A good compromise would be the introduction of the "Competition" ball for the pro's, which might lead the way to a universal rollback once Joe golfer realises that it aint goin to hurt as much as it has been intimated ?
So why have none of these possible solutions been tried or tested ? Why indeed ! Because now you must enter the murky waters developed in the name of progression that equates to the politics of golf. Litigation threats from the powerhouse of golf (the manufacturers) hangs over the heads of our apparently powerless governing bodies. They, (the R & A / USGA) will hardly even talk about the present issue's even though this is the greatest controversy the sport has faced in it's entire history !
To say that nothing can be done in regard to restricting new technology is like lying down in an open field to die, simply because you've contracted a heavy cold ! Rubbish ! All we need is the 'will' to do something and in that, we need the R&A / USGA to cut the strings above their heads and get on with governing the sport once more to the benefit of all golfers around the globe. I can already hear the cries of - "you can't stop technology !" Well tell that to Formula 1 who have already acted by saying to themselves that, enough is enough, as they take the unprecedented backward step towards common sense.
Derek asks - "who are we trying to placate ?" and sites the old argument that it's only the pro's at around 1% of the golfing population who are affected most by the distance issue's. Not so. Improving and ever permissible technology will grow this estimated percentage point to far greater levels as ageing amateurs and women become more athletic (spare me, please) and hence begin to outdrive their home courses. What once 'was' regarded as a gift and talent bestowed upon a given few, is now a privilege to thousands the world over. And that's no bad thing in that technology HAS made the game easier and more pleasurable to play for everybody and has therefore encouraged the growth in the sport that everyone seeks - including those manufacturers keen to extract every cent from your pocket.
But surely the time has come (and gone) where we should all be saying that enough IS enough in regard to the distance issue. Would it really matter if Mr or Mrs or Jnr of 2004AD who presently averaged 300 yards off the tee were to find that in 2005 they were only averaging about 280 yards ? And scaled down accordingly depending upon the athleticism of each individual ? What harm would befall the average golfer and what good would become of the sport ?
The finest courses on the planet would be granted instant restoration to their former glories while all others could then upgrade to finer qualities should they wish to do so. Regardless, every single golf course on planet earth would each receive a level of protection that they have never known. Investments towards course improvements will cease to be a waste of time and money, and millions of golfers will witness the real benefits of the rollback. Course architects can then create more golfing gems in the knowledge that they should enjoy 'play' longevity ! And life will go on as golfers continue to find the BIG sweetspot on their newest high tech driver supplied through the scientific thoughtfulness of Mr Manufacturer !
SO WHAT REALLY IS THE PROBLEM ?
Alfie Ward (Golf historian)
Scotland.
alfie@fernie55.freeserve.co.uk