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The primary anti-roll back the ball argument


NevinW

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I'm not sure I understand one of the primary argument that is used against the idea of rolling back the ball: That it hurts the recreational player who doesn't hit the ball far enough as it is. My question is: Let's say they made the golf ball go 5% shorter across the board. Why couldn't everyone play 6500 yard courses rather than 6900 yards. Nothing else would change. Everyone moves up a set of tees and the very back tees are eliminated. Shorter golf courses means quicker rounds, less fertilizer and expenses. Instead of hitting a 7 iron 160, one would hit it 152. How would this be catastrophic to the amateur game?

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Jacks steel driver shaft was 2” shorter than Stenson’s 3W..

Just sayin’

 

Not saying the ball hasn’t changed, only that equipment improvements are equal to ball upgrades in terms of distance gained...

The graphite shaft was the true distance impact factor imho

 

 

-Chris

Srixon Z745 Japanese Tour 430cc Tour AD-DJ7 XX
Srixon zU45 (2,3) KBS Tour 130X White Pearl 2* up
Srixon JDM Z945 (4-PW) KBS Tour 130X White Pearl 2* up
Cleveland 588 DSG(52,56,60) KBS Tour 130X White 2* up
dumbest putter ever...backstryke with tons of lead tape

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The graphite shaft was the true distance impact factor imho

 

I think if you look at the USGA chart (plotting avg. distance over time, with some equipment introductions overlaid) you see that there were three step-function changes that correlate with new technology: (1) graphite shafts; (2) oversized titanium heads; (3) golf ball improvements. Of these three, I believe oversized heads drove the single biggest gains (and created the USGA rules on COR etc.).

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Rick Shiels did a video comparing todays Prov1 to a wound ball from the 90s. The new ball carried 11 yards farther with the driver, impressive but hardly a game changer.

Ya and Andrew Rice did a comparison and the balata carried 47 yards less https://www.andrewricegolf.com/andrew-rice-golf/2011/08/evolution-of-a-golf-ball . One review shouldn't be taken as gospel..

M2, maybe
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714 AP2 4-p
SM5 53, 59
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Rick Shiels did a video comparing todays Prov1 to a wound ball from the 90s. The new ball carried 11 yards farther with the driver, impressive but hardly a game changer.

Most guys are bigger, stronger and all have new methods of training to optimize distance that simply wasn't around 20 years ago.

 

There's another video of long drivers using persimmon woods and crushing it.

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The graphite shaft was the true distance impact factor imho

 

I think if you look at the USGA chart (plotting avg. distance over time, with some equipment introductions overlaid) you see that there were three step-function changes that correlate with new technology: (1) graphite shafts; (2) oversized titanium heads; (3) golf ball improvements. Of these three, I believe oversized heads drove the single biggest gains (and created the USGA rules on COR etc.).

 

I should’ve said the graphite shaft in tandem with the 460cc metal head

 

-Chris

Srixon Z745 Japanese Tour 430cc Tour AD-DJ7 XX
Srixon zU45 (2,3) KBS Tour 130X White Pearl 2* up
Srixon JDM Z945 (4-PW) KBS Tour 130X White Pearl 2* up
Cleveland 588 DSG(52,56,60) KBS Tour 130X White 2* up
dumbest putter ever...backstryke with tons of lead tape

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Rick Shiels did a video comparing todays Prov1 to a wound ball from the 90s. The new ball carried 11 yards farther with the driver, impressive but hardly a game changer.

 

I have seen that video too, and if you take a look at his numbers and plug them into flightscope optimizer, they are only 6 yards different with the driver. I am not sure how his GCquad got 11 yards with only 3 mph difference in ball speed and nearly every other launch perameter the same. Basically, I think real life the distances would have been even closer just from my experience with many launch monitors and their algorithm differences.

 

All and all, 11 yards isn't much, 6 yards is even less difference. The ball change from balata to prov is likely almost nil.

Swing hard in case you hit it!

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I loved this... Zach Johnson hit 3 balls as did Rory

It was at altitude and makes u really appreciate the swing speeds of the long ago

 

Srixon Z745 Japanese Tour 430cc Tour AD-DJ7 XX
Srixon zU45 (2,3) KBS Tour 130X White Pearl 2* up
Srixon JDM Z945 (4-PW) KBS Tour 130X White Pearl 2* up
Cleveland 588 DSG(52,56,60) KBS Tour 130X White 2* up
dumbest putter ever...backstryke with tons of lead tape

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The graphite shaft was the true distance impact factor imho

 

I think if you look at the USGA chart (plotting avg. distance over time, with some equipment introductions overlaid) you see that there were three step-function changes that correlate with new technology: (1) graphite shafts; (2) oversized titanium heads; (3) golf ball improvements. Of these three, I believe oversized heads drove the single biggest gains (and created the USGA rules on COR etc.).

 

I should’ve said the graphite shaft in tandem with the 460cc metal head

 

-Chris

Any of those three, the easiest to manipulate (rollback) at this point would be?

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The graphite shaft was the true distance impact factor imho

 

I think if you look at the USGA chart (plotting avg. distance over time, with some equipment introductions overlaid) you see that there were three step-function changes that correlate with new technology: (1) graphite shafts; (2) oversized titanium heads; (3) golf ball improvements. Of these three, I believe oversized heads drove the single biggest gains (and created the USGA rules on COR etc.).

 

I should’ve said the graphite shaft in tandem with the 460cc metal head

 

-Chris

Any of those three, the easiest to manipulate (rollback) at this point would be?

 

I disagree the ball or anything needs to be rolled back and am intransigent in this thought...

 

-Chris

Srixon Z745 Japanese Tour 430cc Tour AD-DJ7 XX
Srixon zU45 (2,3) KBS Tour 130X White Pearl 2* up
Srixon JDM Z945 (4-PW) KBS Tour 130X White Pearl 2* up
Cleveland 588 DSG(52,56,60) KBS Tour 130X White 2* up
dumbest putter ever...backstryke with tons of lead tape

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The graphite shaft was the true distance impact factor imho

 

I think if you look at the USGA chart (plotting avg. distance over time, with some equipment introductions overlaid) you see that there were three step-function changes that correlate with new technology: (1) graphite shafts; (2) oversized titanium heads; (3) golf ball improvements. Of these three, I believe oversized heads drove the single biggest gains (and created the USGA rules on COR etc.).

 

I should’ve said the graphite shaft in tandem with the 460cc metal head

 

-Chris

Any of those three, the easiest to manipulate (rollback) at this point would be?

 

I disagree the ball or anything needs to be rolled back and am intransigent in this thought...

 

-Chris

Okay I am well aware of that, we're playing in a hypothetical world on this board. If one of those components needed to be rolled back, which would be easiest. You seem well informed and I appreciate that, simply looking for input, not antagonizing.

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The fix is truly simple (especially for the PGA): Stop mowing fairways down to concrete-like surfaces, narrow the fairways, and grow the rough another inch or so.

 

{Sigh.} Do you realize, that that "simple fix" is just a great big negative, for the quality of golf in the service of simply holding down scoring? I mean, the USGA has done it many times before. And they'd argue that they are trying to identify the best golfers and that narrowing fairways and growing rough puts an emphasis on accuracy and nerves and serves as a bit of a brake on distance as players try to hit narrowed fairways for fear of punitive rough.

 

But that's old thinking, in my view. The new generation of history-minded golf course architects want to return to width; to give players options on the best lines and re-introduce course management and strategy. To open up as many lines, angles and choices as possible; to make hazards more strategic and less punitive.

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Rick Shiels did a video comparing todays Prov1 to a wound ball from the 90s. The new ball carried 11 yards farther with the driver, impressive but hardly a game changer.

Ya and Andrew Rice did a comparison and the balata carried 47 yards less https://www.andrewri...-of-a-golf-ball . One review shouldn't be taken as gospel..

 

Those results are quite opposite of Shiels, very surprising. Given the launch characteristics they should have gone almost the same distance and very similar to Shiels numbers. He did note the weight difference, which I suspect what the entire difference in distance. The question is, where those balls made to that lighter weight or did they lose weight over time sitting on the shelf like he mentions in his test?

 

If I were to guess, and please correct me if my guess is wrong (I want truth), those balls likely lost weight over time due to the liquid centers. Seems unlikely they weight that much less new.

 

Also, being as Sheils used GCQ and Andrew used Trackman makes sense to the differences. Trackman tracked the entire flight, GCQ only catches launch perameters and then calculates.

Swing hard in case you hit it!

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Rick Shiels did a video comparing todays Prov1 to a wound ball from the 90s. The new ball carried 11 yards farther with the driver, impressive but hardly a game changer.

 

I have seen that video too, and if you take a look at his numbers and plug them into flightscope optimizer, they are only 6 yards different with the driver. I am not sure how his GCquad got 11 yards with only 3 mph difference in ball speed and nearly every other launch perameter the same. Basically, I think real life the distances would have been even closer just from my experience with many launch monitors and their algorithm differences.

 

All and all, 11 yards isn't much, 6 yards is even less difference. The ball change from balata to prov is likely almost nil.

 

In the Andrew Rice link above the pro v only flew 47 yards farther than the balata. You may consider that "nil" but I damn sure don't.

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Most guys are bigger, stronger and all have new methods of training to optimize distance that simply wasn't around 20 years ago.

 

As we have discussed more times than I can recount, I am not sure that I accept the notion that Fred Couples' or Tiger Woods' current length, compared to 20 years ago, has anything to do with physical fitness.

 

But even if it were, I'd argue strongly that since nobody would dream of regulating fitness, the thing to do is to regulate one of the most inconsequential things which is the golf ball.

 

If you think I am saying that the golf ball has to take the blame for (presumed) improved athleticism, you have it exactly right. That is not punishing any or all of the athletes. It is protecting the golf course.

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Rick Shiels did a video comparing todays Prov1 to a wound ball from the 90s. The new ball carried 11 yards farther with the driver, impressive but hardly a game changer.

Ya and Andrew Rice did a comparison and the balata carried 47 yards less https://www.andrewri...-of-a-golf-ball . One review shouldn't be taken as gospel..

 

 

I played college golf in the 80s with those balata balls. If he was carrying them only 225 with a 110 swing speed then he was either hitting them very poorly or the balls had degraded due to age.

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Rick Shiels did a video comparing todays Prov1 to a wound ball from the 90s. The new ball carried 11 yards farther with the driver, impressive but hardly a game changer.

Ya and Andrew Rice did a comparison and the balata carried 47 yards less https://www.andrewri...-of-a-golf-ball . One review shouldn't be taken as gospel..

 

 

I played college golf in the 80s with those balata balls. If he was carrying them only 225 with a 110 swing speed then he was either hitting them very poorly or the balls had degraded due to age.

 

I suspect this is so, I am trying to find original specs of the balls. I am guessing it might be mostly due to weight change.

Swing hard in case you hit it!

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I'm not sure I understand one of the primary argument that is used against the idea of rolling back the ball: That it hurts the recreational player who doesn't hit the ball far enough as it is. My question is: Let's say they made the golf ball go 5% shorter across the board. Why couldn't everyone play 6500 yard courses rather than 6900 yards. Nothing else would change. Everyone moves up a set of tees and the very back tees are eliminated. Shorter golf courses means quicker rounds, less fertilizer and expenses. Instead of hitting a 7 iron 160, one would hit it 152. How would this be catastrophic to the amateur game?

 

Amateurs hitting a 7 iron 160 instead of 152 isn't catastrophic, either. Nor is the current state of the game. Change all manufacturing so amateurs will hit a 7 iron a mere 8 yards shorter? Meh. Can't get behind that. Neither will OEMs. That's why absolutely nothing will happen with the ball.

 

I think the USGA should focus on capping the length of courses. The cheapest way to address the issue of courses having to buy land to add length is to disallow it. That way, the USGA can still get its rocks off by "governing", and all of us can play golf exactly like we have for the last 20 years.

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Graeme McDowell still has a beautiful reverse c even with a putter

 

Srixon Z745 Japanese Tour 430cc Tour AD-DJ7 XX
Srixon zU45 (2,3) KBS Tour 130X White Pearl 2* up
Srixon JDM Z945 (4-PW) KBS Tour 130X White Pearl 2* up
Cleveland 588 DSG(52,56,60) KBS Tour 130X White 2* up
dumbest putter ever...backstryke with tons of lead tape

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Rick Shiels did a video comparing todays Prov1 to a wound ball from the 90s. The new ball carried 11 yards farther with the driver, impressive but hardly a game changer.

Ya and Andrew Rice did a comparison and the balata carried 47 yards less https://www.andrewri...-of-a-golf-ball . One review shouldn't be taken as gospel..

 

One of the things that I found interesting in the above comparison test was that the Pro V1X 332 went further than the current Pro V1 X they used.

 

Wonder why Titleist quit making that ball? Maybe they were forced to roll it back :taunt:

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I'm not sure I understand one of the primary argument that is used against the idea of rolling back the ball: That it hurts the recreational player who doesn't hit the ball far enough as it is. My question is: Let's say they made the golf ball go 5% shorter across the board. Why couldn't everyone play 6500 yard courses rather than 6900 yards. Nothing else would change. Everyone moves up a set of tees and the very back tees are eliminated. Shorter golf courses means quicker rounds, less fertilizer and expenses. Instead of hitting a 7 iron 160, one would hit it 152. How would this be catastrophic to the amateur game?

 

9 wood for me.................................... :swoon:

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What I continue to not understand is what problem the powers that be are trying to solve for.

 

We'll see a tournament contested over the weekend where the winning score will be slightly under par on one of the greatest architectural examples in all of golf.

 

But who cares if guys on the PGA Tour drive the ball 400+ yards, and post up winning scores of (-25) on courses that are purpose built (the TPC courses) for their weekly reality television show?

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Rick Shiels did a video comparing todays Prov1 to a wound ball from the 90s. The new ball carried 11 yards farther with the driver, impressive but hardly a game changer.

Ya and Andrew Rice did a comparison and the balata carried 47 yards less https://www.andrewri...-of-a-golf-ball . One review shouldn't be taken as gospel..

 

One of the things that I found interesting in the above comparison test was that the Pro V1X 332 went further than the current Pro V1 X they used.

 

Wonder why Titleist quit making that ball? Maybe they were forced to roll it back :taunt:

They didn't use the the new 1X they only tested the '05 V1 and V1x and the "new" V1 (this was also from 2011 so it would of been that iteration of the ball)

M2, maybe
915 FD
913 HD
712u 3
714 AP2 4-p
SM5 53, 59
Circa62

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