Comments on: One Ball to Rule them All?

By: Faust

Faust — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:30:21 +0000

All in all the governing body of golf have kept the challenge intact. But that doesn't mean the governing body should stop looking into all areas that make up the challenge.

If left to their own accords (no standards), golf equipment companies would send the game into extinction at the expense of short term greed.

I do however in principle agree with Mark F. Sport is about defining the playing field and protecting the challenge. If it has to start at the top .01%, then so be it.

At the end of the day, modern equipment technology has not significantly lowered the scores for the average golfer. It has however lowered the amount money in their wallet.

By: Freddy Boy

Freddy Boy — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 18:54:05 +0000

Here's my two-cents worth: I've been into this hugely challenging game for two years, and when I started out I thought I was missing something by not having the best of what was available. But I have found out that like in so many other sporting endeavors, you really can't appreciate the differences in equipment -- both subtle and gross -- until you've reached certain levels of play. Which is to say, again like in so many other sports, good money is wasted by many of us who think we have to buy the best clubs and the best balls up front when, in reality, it could be years before we ever reach a pont in our play where we can recognize and benefit from the differences in equipment. Manufacturers and retailers don't want us to belive this, but in your heart you know I'm right. After two years of play I've only just begun the quest to find a set of clubs that truly fit my style of play and, as for balls, I buy them at Traget; the Courger X-Cat priced at 18 balls for about $8, and I can't tell the difference except in my wallet!

By: golf snob

golf snob — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 03:15:49 +0000

I think everyone is too obsessed with the golf ball full stop. Does a different golf ball really make that much difference to the scores. Even if you are hitting it further down the fairway, you still need to get it up and down for birdie.

I only use top premium balls when I play in competitions, but I'm sure I could use rocks and probably shoot the same score. I actually think modern clubs and launch monitors have contributed more to distance gains than golf balls. And the only real gains I've found over the last few years is consistency, not distance. My longest drives 5 years ago are as long as my longest drives now. The main difference I've found in golf balls recently is that they go straighter and spin less off the driver, they don't go further.

Another thing to remember is that although new golf balls may have made the game easier for good players, there are more high handicappers now than there ever has been.

By: Mark F.

Mark F. — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 22:11:16 +0000

I see nothing wrong with making the equipment used in any sport uniform. That's how we find out who are the best athletes are. Do you think it's ok to allow corked bats or a spitter in baseball? Remember "stick-um" in football? Decide on a level playing field and let the best athletes adjust to it, after all isn't that the the true nature of sports, the pure talent of the individual? Heck, I'm sure steroids benefit some players and not others, but unless everyone is taking the same dose, how do you know? There are many shades of gray, I say reduce them where you can.

By: David "DBake" Baker

David "DBake" Baker — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 04:48:03 +0000

Great job, good read...I really need to go and see if my clubs are still right with the normal stuff (lenght, shaft flex, lie angle, loft, and grip size). Than move to a launch monitor to check everythin else.