Who changed golf?

[Prodigy]

Who do you think changed golf the most? For me i have to say ben hogan With five lessons and all. Most golf pros base there teaching around that book

[Rynofskie]

I'd have to say Tiger Woods or John Daly, they had a huge influence in the new trend in golf moving from a game of finess to a game of power....

[ettsn]

Bobby Jones redefined golf in more ways than one. He set the new standards, was the first true "superstar" of golf, and redefined the contents of your bag. He's the father of modern golf.

[Prodigy]

  ettsn said:

Bobby Jones redefined golf in more ways than one. He set the new standards, was the first true "superstar" of golf, and redefined the contents of your bag. He's the father of modern golf.

this is also very true

[Smallfry]

Tiger definitely changed the way modern golf is played. He brought a new level of fitness and distance to the game. He is also the main reason why courses that were changed very little since their creation, were now being "Tiger Proofed" and basically reformatted.

Its no question you can see the effects Tiger has had on golf. Every golfer these days worth his salt is in MUCH better physical condition than he was pre Tiger. And youve got to be reasonably long these days to have any chance of beating the bombers. I know it can be done, but not that often.

[niblick]

Limiting my response to the professional game, I have to say Walter Hagen. Things were very different before he came along, and he ushered in alot of what we now consider normal in pro golf.

[powerfade]

The guy who invented the steel shaft.

[MountainHip]

3 way tie

1. Ben Hogan
2. Arnold Palmer
3. Tiger Woods

[T.J.K.]

Tiger Woods has changed golf the most.

Look at the money these guys play for now. The popularity he brought to the game.

More people/kids are playing golf now than ever before. He is 99% responsible for that.

[iacas]

We had this thread awhile ago. I voted Arnold Palmer. The question was slightly different, though, something like "who had the biggest impact?"

For this question I'd have to say... Gene Sarazen. One of the first pros to elevate himself out of the underclass.