Comments on: Hootie’s Balls

By: 2006 Masters Predictions | The Sand Trap

2006 Masters Predictions | The Sand Trap — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 14:07:18 +0000

The staff of The Sand Trap weigh in with their predictions. Who will win? Who will disappoint? Find out what we think.

By: Rule 14-3b: The "Range Finder" Rule | The Sand Trap

Rule 14-3b: The "Range Finder" Rule | The Sand Trap — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 18:09:22 +0000

It's illegal to use laser- and GPS-enabled range finders on the golf course during handicap and tournament play. But should it be?

By: Augusta to be Lengthened | The Sand Trap

Augusta to be Lengthened | The Sand Trap — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 02:49:55 +0000

Augusta National is being lengthened yet again. Yawwwwwwn. When will these people ever learn that it ain't distance that's dropping scoring averages?

By: Player says New Equipment is Ruining the Game | The Sand Trap

Player says New Equipment is Ruining the Game | The Sand Trap — Fri, 20 May 2005 19:15:12 +0000

Gary Player wants to take away the metal clubs used by pros and put wooden clubs in their hands. Our reaction? Nice knowing you, Gary. Have fun in La La Land.

By: Christopher Lawrence

Christopher Lawrence — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 14:42:45 +0000

History, History, History, The game started with wooden balls then feathers in a leather cover then rubber and so on.....wooden clubs then steel you get the picture, there are stories of pro golfers hitting the ball 290 with a wooden club and a feather ball....The game moves forward, its still hard to play par golf, takes thousands of hours of study and practice...its impossible to buy a 68 on a real course,you either have the skill or a good pencil......

By: spacedog

spacedog — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 17:54:07 +0000

This proposal is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Players learn to be accurate with their specific equipment. The Master's won't intruduce a "surprise ball" the day of the event, so Hootie will give many men access to his balls months in advance. But then how ridiculous is that? Players at ATT Pro-am get to decide whether to use the ball they like because they know it, or use the Master's ball to sort of practice and get to know that ball. But yeah, most amateurs won't be able to detect any difference because their accuracy is pretty bad to begin with.

By: Erik J. Barzeski

Erik J. Barzeski — Wed, 13 Apr 2005 14:29:39 +0000

Because courses get tougher. They build courses nowadays with tricked up circus greens and more length. And because the average golfer will always suck - they don't get to take advantage of much of that technology because they never make good contact. Or they're using their uncle's clubs from 20 years ago.

By: mediaguru

mediaguru — Wed, 13 Apr 2005 05:20:17 +0000

A great article. I think the ball is only a fraction of the issue with "distance." You are right. The players these days (JD excluded) are working out. They eat good food. They don't smoke. They get their swings checked on computerized systems that measure launch angles, club speed, ball speed etc. You'd have to turn the clock back on all those things.

They should make an equal value of length and ACCURACY. If they bomb it 320 and miss the fairway, then the rough should penalize them. There is no penatly for missing fairways 300 yards out, except at the US Open.

But one thing I think they should give equal attention to with golf balls is SPIN. The balls go farther, yes. But how about bringing the "off the driver spin" levels BACK UP? Over the past several years balls have been developed with LESS spin off the driver, which makes it go straighter (and farther). If there is more driver spin, it would be harder to hit it straight and thus more penal for bad shots. That would put a premium on straighter driving. Then Fred Funk Chris DiMarco and Corey Pavin would win more tournaments... Tiger, Vijay & Phil would win less.

More driver spin would suck for amateurs though. Slicers would be even worse.

But as statistics show, amateur scores have not changed in decades. With all this unfair technology that is ruining the game of golf, why are amateurs still averaging over 90?