What Has Happened to Golf?

[BCoggins]

What has happened to golf.When I was a kid, most courses had a barrel of used clubs and for about $100 you fit yourself out, used to play all day for about $1.25.Used to buy lost balls cheap, most of them had stopped rolling when they "were found". As Shivas said "Golf is in the Walk. What ever happened to wood woods-Toney Pennas,Hogan drivers, Spalding Bobby Jones woods, Haig Ultras? Still have my set of 1953 "Silver Scots.IMHO the USGA and R&A way back when should have banned metal "Woods",no sound or feel like persimmon hitting a ball. Whatever happened to walking? Don't know what playing the Ole Course would have been like if we had rode carts, having a caddy.

[HJJ003]

6 minutes ago, BCoggins said:

What has happened to golf.When I was a kid, most courses had a barrel of used clubs and for about $100 you fit yourself out, used to play all day for about $1.25

Inflation happened. Supply and Demand Happened. Technology increases have happened. Understanding of proper fitting has happened. More off course amenities have happened. Golf is the same even if it looks different from generation to generation. Get a small ball into a small hole 18 times a round in as few strokes as possible each time. 

 

7 minutes ago, BCoggins said:

As Shivas said "Golf is in the Walk. What ever happened to wood woods-Toney Pennas,Hogan drivers, Spalding Bobby Jones woods, Haig Ultras? Still have my set of 1953 "Silver Scots.IMHO the USGA and R&A way back when should have banned metal "Woods",no sound or feel like persimmon hitting a ball.

This is a matter of opinion. I am sure quite a lot of people enjoy the new technology. I am sure persimmons were cool to hit, however, in no way should the USGA/R&A have banned fairway metals or drivers. They make the game more enjoyable, and yet the game is still hard. 

 

11 minutes ago, BCoggins said:

Whatever happened to walking? Don't know what playing the Ole Course would have been like if we had rode carts, having a caddy.

I enjoy walking. However, it isn't feasible for everyone. Also, it is quite difficult to do in some parts of the country depending on time of day etc.. I do wish it was more of a thing though. I think it would assist with peoples course management as it would give them more time think about their shot and plan their way around the course. However, like here in Houston for example...high heat and humidity make it difficult for a lot of people to walk during much of the year. 

[iacas]

20 minutes ago, BCoggins said:

Still have my set of 1953 "Silver Scots.

Then, in answer to the title question… 65 years.

[BCoggins]

Just the rants of wheelchair bound old man.Where do the kids of today find the money for golf? In my other life I was stationed in England-the land of Penfold Aces. Used to walk and our foursome used toplay in less than 4 hours. Most of the blokes carried a half set of clubs 1&3 woods, 3,5,7,sw and putter.

In answer to Iacas: "Golf is a billion years old-don't you remember"- Golf in the Kingdom

[iacas]

17 minutes ago, BCoggins said:

Where do the kids of today find the money for golf?

Minimum wage in 1953 was $0.75/hour.

Today it's $7.25.

[BCoggins]

Don't know if I will ever play golf again,had a major stroke, but if I do will play with real woods, and a half set of my old irons.

[Patch]

The biggest change in golf for us older folks is just that. We got older.

We older golfers  learned and played the game using inferior equipment when compared to today's equipment.

As for kids being able to afford to play golf, I think more could afford it, if they wanted to. Golf for alot of kids is way down their priority list of things to spend money on. 

[Kalnoky]

This would have been a tidy project for a business student. If you ask me it's the cost of technology, and marketing tacked on to the clubs.

My dad says the same things about cars... "I remember when you used to be able to order a brand new Corvette for...."   

[NM Golf]

I guess we should all go back to rotary phones as well? My first set of clubs had persimmon woods, I would choose my G400 over them any day. 

[Foot Wedge]

3 hours ago, BCoggins said:

Where do the kids of today find the money for golf?

From work.  And with a little effort, it's not too hard to find decent rates.  Walking, twilight rates, used clubs...plenty of ways to make golf cheaper than other hobbies.

[windlaker]

Walking, twilight rates, used clubs...plenty of ways to make golf cheaper than other hobbies.

Agreed.  I rarely pay full price for golf.  I'm a cheapskate.

[BCoggins]

I guess all you guys must be scratch golfers, and need the high tech improvements. How are Tigers irons any better than my Silver Scots? Both have forged heads,sure his have tweeks to fit his needs , needs I could never feel with my swing. Sure his custom made putter is nice but no nicer to me than my old 8802.or my old R90 SW.

[rehmwa]

4 hours ago, BCoggins said:

Don't know if I will ever play golf again,had a major stroke, but if I do will play with real woods, and a half set of my old irons.

Hope you get to play again.  Even if it's just a little bit.

Sure - enjoy the nostalgia.  But you very much might like to try the new stuff, especially if you're not quite in the same shape as when you were young.

[mcanadiens]

6 hours ago, BCoggins said:

When I was a kid, most courses had a barrel of used clubs and for about $100 you fit yourself out

My first set were fairly decent Dunlop DMT clubs that I found on Craiglist. The seller was right near by and I paid $80 in 2011 dollars (well I think that was when I started anyway).

Where there is a will, there's still a way. 

[iacas]

33 minutes ago, BCoggins said:

I guess all you guys must be scratch golfers, and need the high tech improvements. How are Tigers irons any better than my Silver Scots?

Huh?

It's not the scratch golfers (or the Tiger Woods types) who "need" the "high tech improvements." It's the average golfer who could use a little help getting the ball in the air.

There aren't a ton of hybrids in play on the PGA Tour, but the average golfer often has three or four of them.

[NM Golf]

37 minutes ago, BCoggins said:

How are Tigers irons any better than my Silver Scots? 

Would you like my answer in paragraph or list form?

Listen, I hope you get a chance to play this great game again and I also hope it's not using you 1956 Silver Scots. You will find golf much more enjoyable with a little help from modern equipment.

[BCoggins]

To be honest my Silver Scots have been a benders vice and had their lofts and lies adjusted to fit me. So has my 8802 and R90 Sw and had a ladies shaft put in the SW.

[iacas]

14 minutes ago, BCoggins said:

To be honest my Silver Scots have been a benders vice and had their lofts and lies adjusted to fit me. So has my 8802 and R90 Sw and had a ladies shaft put in the SW.

I'm missing the relevance here…?