Gary Player held a clinic at a local course after the The Open and was asked if the old time greats Hogan, Trevino, Snead , Player etc) would have been able to compete with today's power hitting top players. Having played with the greats from several eras he felt could answer this question with authority. The real question as far as he was concerned was how the modern players would cope with playing with Persimmon, balata balls and poor quality by modern standards steel shafts against the former greats on the old set ups. He felt it would be easier going from old to modern than the other way round. The biggest difference is the modern ball in his opinion.
Leave it to Gary Player to turn the tables.
How would the 'old guys' do against the 'young guys?' Nay, says Gary, the real question is the reverse!
Thrust!
...Parry!
Point!
...Counterpoint!
"Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"
Clearly, there are more really good players today than ever before. But...are there any more great players? I think not. These precious few -- The Chosen Ones -- stand out in every generation. And this handful would stand out in any generation.
"All you can ask of anyone," said Bobby Jones, "is that they beat the fellows who were around when they were around."
I came across this clip of Ted Kroll(a player from the 40's I believe)and I was particularly impressed with his hand action...just a great swing...hope you enjoy. http://www.megspace.com/sports/moeto...roll_clip.html
I came across this clip of Ted Kroll(a player from the 40's I believe)and I was particularly impressed with his hand action...just a great swing...hope you enjoy. http://www.megspace.com/sports/moeto...roll_clip.html
Awesome!!! That is one beautiful motion. Just looking at that for about an hour should do something good for your motion. Thanks dude! Very nice contribution on your first post.
played golf yesterday with Yodasluke and Bagger Lance, your ears must've been burning, they had great things to say about you...my dad(known here as Augusta Brad) and I had a half day lesson with the YODA himself this past Saturday and we have caught the fever!!! We were in a small 3 sided tin hut - pouring down rain, about 29 degrees outside and life could not have been better. Bar none, the best golf lesson, ever! Can't wait to keep on truckin...
played golf yesterday with Yodasluke and Bagger Lance, your ears must've been burning, they had great things to say about you...my dad(known here as Augusta Brad) and I had a half day lesson with the YODA himself this past Saturday and we have caught the fever!!! We were in a small 3 sided tin hut - pouring down rain, about 29 degrees outside and life could not have been better. Bar none, the best golf lesson, ever! Can't wait to keep on truckin...
You keep good company man. I ate mexican at my favorite spot yesterday . . . ears weren't the only thing burning.
My father and I argue about how the old players wouldn't make the cut in the modern game. I agree with Jack; the modern game is a game of power. The short ball players only shine like twice a year on short courses with tight fairways. The majority of golf fans do not want shorter courses, tighter fairways, distance resistant balls, or any other restrictions on length. We love watching the best players bomb it long, and flop it onto the greens. In this new era, golf can -almost- be described as a sport.
I don't have a problem with how far the guys now can hit the ball, but I do think the penalty for not hitting the fairway should be much more severe then it is now. I think that something is wrong with the course setups when Tiger can be #179 in fairways hit and #1 in greens in regulation. Sometimes he hits it so far offline that he gets in the rough that has been walked down and ends up with an easier shot than the guys that just miss the fairway by a yard or two. I don't have anything against Tiger, in fact I think he is the best player in the game today. But if more of a premium were put on hitting the fairways and less advantage were given to strength he might not be so dominant. I don't mean to rant but just had to get that off of my chest.
My father and I argue about how the old players wouldn't make the cut in the modern game. I agree with Jack; the modern game is a game of power. The short ball players only shine like twice a year on short courses with tight fairways. The majority of golf fans do not want shorter courses, tighter fairways, distance resistant balls, or any other restrictions on length. We love watching the best players bomb it long, and flop it onto the greens. In this new era, golf can -almost- be described as a sport.
I think the hype of the power game doesn't match the actual reality of what's going on in professional golf. Yes power counts, but the reality is only 19 players currently on tour average over 300 yards a drive. The median distance for the 190 PGA Tour players that are currently listed for driver distance is about 288 yards. And several guys have won tournaments this year i.e. Luke Donald, Aron Oberholser, Rod Pampling, Kirk Triplett and David Toms, and none of these guys can be described as "bombers".
For all the hype about "bombers" the guys that take home the big checks consistently on the PGA Tour hit the most greens in regulation with fewest putts per round. At the end of the day great golf is still about consistent ball striking and great putting. That hasn't really change as much as people think it has.
This is my 9th year on tour as a caddy. Started with John Riegger and now with Brian Gay, both Yoda students. I would have to agree with most of what Nicklaus was quoted as saying. The tour doesn't play very many "Old School" courses anymore. I think Nicklaus and Snead would still be great players today because of their length. Hogan and Player would not be as dominant, but it all depends on the course. I'd say Hogan would beat Tiger 4 out of 5 times at Harbor Town or Westchester, but Tiger would beat Hogan 5 out of 5 at Boston or Torre Pines. The course set up has dictated the way the game is played today. A player who can carry the ball 280 or more can take most of the trouble out of play and hit short irons if he is in the rough. Pretty standard set up each week, water the fairways and don't water the greens. Hey, people come to see the long ball, lets face it. It doesn't seem to take much brains to be a tour official. It's like I always joke, "I tried to become a tour official, but scored too high on the test, so I became a caddy." Thanks Yoda for helping my player, he's on the right track.
This is my 9th year on tour as a caddy. Started with John Riegger and now with Brian Gay, both Yoda students.
Thanks Yoda for helping my player, he's on the right track.
Welcome aboard, Eddie, and thanks for this first post. Keep'em coming!
Brian and I talked by phone Monday night -- he just in from the Honda and me just in from Sweden -- and he mentioned how well you guys work together. I look forward to meeting you when the PGA TOUR hits Atlanta at the end of the month.
Meanwhile, looks like you go at noon tomorrrow at Bay Hill. That sure beats the 6:45 a.m. first-off at Doral. Good luck!
Hybrid Mode
