By Jason Sanchez
GM at Maple Hill Golf
Ben Hogan once said that golf is a game of sportsmanship, technique, mental game, and strategy. Fast forward to today and you can argue that playing the right equipment should be added to Hogan’s list.
Tiger Woods has made many courses look like pitch and putt courses since he entered the tour in 1997, and countless other players have followed in his wake. The PGA Tour and tournament–held courses were forced to start changing layouts, making the golf courses longer. Continued technological advancements have left courses with little or no more room to expand.
The PGA sees a problem, arguing that professional players are hitting it too long and something must be done. The current proposed fix takes aim at the equipment; a shorter legal length limit on non-putter clubs (no more 48” driver for DeChambeau at The Masters) and a ball that just won’t go as far.
But why?
Golf simply does not have a distance problem. PGA Tour players represent an elite minority of golfers. Part of the game’s allure is watching tour players hit long drives into tight fairways and then making our own best efforts using the same equipment. The PGA and R&A should be far more concerned with the average (and below average) golfer. The game needs to be fun for them. The rise of TopGolf has shown that people will try the sport if it is fun and entertaining. Modern distance gains have become integral to today’s recreational golfers and vital for the growth of the game.
Equipment technology combined with club fitting and analytics has made the game more accessible and enjoyable for millions of golfers. Going backwards is not a healthy option. Hitting bombs off the tee and making birdies is entertaining for people to watch. Bryson DeChambeau and Rory Mcllroy currently lead the tour in driving distance—maybe the PGA can argue there’s a distance problem when they start winning every tournament.
Until then, let’s get as many people playing the game as possible by keeping fun (and distance) a part of the game.
