peaygolf
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An old 4 iron or a modern 4 iron? The new ones are at least a club longer, maybe club and a half, due to loft, length, and thinner faces. The old 4 iron was probably 37.5 inches long, and had 25 degrees loft. A new one could be close to 39 inches and have 21 degrees loft. It may take an old 2 iron to get there with the balata ball.I took out my old Toney Pena persimmon driver out the other day and hit a couple tee shots with it with Titleist Balata 90's. Then hit a couple with my M3 with the TM TP5x balls.
Let's just say that a 445 yrd par four went from Driver/4 iron to Driver/easy 8. 50 yrds.
good point. I used my P750 4 iron, not my old eye 2.An old 4 iron or a modern 4 iron? The new ones are at least a club longer, maybe club and a half, due to loft, length, and thinner faces. The old 4 iron was probably 37.5 inches long, and had 25 degrees loft. A new one could be close to 39 inches and have 21 degrees loft. It may take an old 2 iron to get there with the balata ball.
I also think that the newer equipment benefits the really high swing speed players to a greater degree than the average swing speed players. In other words, the people like D.J. and Rory will outdrive us mortals by more yards with new stuff than with old stuff.
When I was in my mid-30's I sold a car to Bruce Lietzke, and he stuck around and played golf with me. He was one of the leaders in driving distance/accuracy at the time. He outdrove me about 30-35 yards in the mid-1980's. I would be way farther behind a touring pro today if I was 35 , and so were they, with today's ball and clubs. I was an average driver for a 3 handicap in those days.
It really is amazing what has happened in the last 30 years. I was playing Junior golf at the tail end of the persimmon era and vividly remember when hitting one 240 meant I had bombed it. Now 240 means I'm on the range after the round with the wrench out figuring out whats wrong.I took out my old Toney Pena persimmon driver out the other day and hit a couple tee shots with it with Titleist Balata 90's. Then hit a couple with my M3 with the TM TP5x balls.
Let's just say that a 445 yrd par four went from Driver/4 iron to Driver/easy 8. 50 yrds.
P750 4 iron is 23 degrees, 38.25 inches. When I started playing in 1964, I think that a 4 iron was 28 degrees. That became a 5 iron in the 1970's.good point. I used my P750 4 iron, not my old eye 2.
I still have a Tony Penna persimmon driver, 3 & 5 wood that I bought from a golf pro shop in Ft. Walton Beach 35- 40 years ago. That was the first and only location of a new mail order golf shop named Edwin Watts.I took out my old Toney Pena persimmon driver out the other day and hit a couple tee shots with it with Titleist Balata 90's. Then hit a couple with my M3 with the TM TP5x balls.
Let's just say that a 445 yrd par four went from Driver/4 iron to Driver/easy 8. 50 yrds.
I still have an Eye 2+ lob wedge. It has an unusual looking sole and bounce angle.I think I could pick up a set of Eye 2s or Tommy Armor 845s and play right now. I loved those clubs.
I actually took a Vokey out of my bag a couple of months ago and put my old Eye 2 SW back in. I'm lethal from the fairway with that thing.
That's true for the tour as a whole, but twentysomething Jack Nicklaus was a freak of nature. If he'd had a modern driver and a hot ball, it would've been scary how far he hit it.I think you also have to give credit to the player's physical development as well. The Hogans, Arnies, and Jacks probably couldn't touch the swing speed of DJ, JT, or Rahm even with modern equipment and in their prime. The focus on core strength, lower body strength, and overall flexibility all combined with a solid diet has definitely helped.
I said earlier that they were more athletic. Another factor that one may overlook is that the old persimmon woods and balata balls put a bunch of spin on the ball, and the players HAD to swing with more control, or they would never find their ball. It was far easier to hit it off the planet back in those days.I think you also have to give credit to the player's physical development as well. The Hogans, Arnies, and Jacks probably couldn't touch the swing speed of DJ, JT, or Rahm even with modern equipment and in their prime. The focus on core strength, lower body strength, and overall flexibility all combined with a solid diet has definitely helped.
Look up the PGA long drive contest from 1963. Nicklaus won the first of his 2 consecutive long drive championships, staged annually at the PGA Championship. Persimmon driver, wound ball, 341 yards and 17 inches.That's true for the tour as a whole, but twentysomething Jack Nicklaus was a freak of nature. If he'd had a modern driver and a hot ball, it would've been scary how far he hit it.
It would be awesome to see that's for damn sure. My humble opinion is that Jack would be getting smoked off the tee by most modern players with all things being equal.That's true for the tour as a whole, but twentysomething Jack Nicklaus was a freak of nature. If he'd had a modern driver and a hot ball, it would've been scary how far he hit it.
This is a good point. Would love to see a standardized ball on tour one day anyways. Was watching guys like Molinari bomb them 360+ at Firestone yesterday. That's out of hand.I said earlier that they were more athletic. Another factor that one may overlook is that the old persimmon woods and balata balls put a bunch of spin on the ball, and the players HAD to swing with more control, or they would never find their ball. It was far easier to hit it off the planet back in those days.
The ball spinning less has completely changed course management. I used to hit a lot of long irons and 3 woods off the tee. Now everybody just reached for the Driver because it's as straight A's anything else.I said earlier that they were more athletic. Another factor that one may overlook is that the old persimmon woods and balata balls put a bunch of spin on the ball, and the players HAD to swing with more control, or they would never find their ball. It was far easier to hit it off the planet back in those days.
I'm over here in the Northwest N.C. mountains now, and it's 73 degrees. Supposed to dip into the high 50's at night on the weekend.Rain washed out the round at Burlingame, but we were able to play Sequoyah, Maggie Valley Club, and Laurel Ridge. Those tight mountain courses play tough for we occasional/recreational golfers! It was awfully nice having high temps in the mid-70s, and the views were awesome.
Played Laurel Ridge last year. Beautiful course... Lost a lot of golf balls but beautiful courseRain washed out the round at Burlingame, but we were able to play Sequoyah, Maggie Valley Club, and Laurel Ridge. Those tight mountain courses play tough for we occasional/recreational golfers! It was awfully nice having high temps in the mid-70s, and the views were awesome.
Justin Thomas had 76 yards left to the 470 yard par 4 18th at Firestone after a 394 yard drive Sunday. Finau and either McIlroy or D.J. had 77 yards. They had just a half swing pitch left. It is downhill, and was playing firm.I took out my old Toney Pena persimmon driver out the other day and hit a couple tee shots with it with Titleist Balata 90's. Then hit a couple with my M3 with the TM TP5x balls.
Let's just say that a 445 yrd par four went from Driver/4 iron to Driver/easy 8. 50 yrds.
It is mind boggling how far guys like Thomas, McIlroy, and Fowler can hit a golf ball. Not just the raw distance itself, but how they launch and fly the ball. McIlroy and Fowler in particular are well-built guys, but pretty short. Tiny waists. It's all about that flexibility.Justin Thomas had 76 yards left to the 470 yard par 4 18th at Firestone after a 394 yard drive Sunday. Finau and either McIlroy or D.J. had 77 yards. They had just a half swing pitch left. It is downhill, and was playing firm.
In 1966 when I went to the PGA there, it played 465, and I saw a bunch of long irons hit into that hole, and an occasional fairway wood. I'm not sure that anyone was within 100 yards of J.T.'s drive Sunday.
A significant portion of the distance increase is the optimization of launch and spin. Part of it is the increase in the coefficient of restitution of the face of the driver. Part of it is the dimple patterns and material and construction of the ball. It no longer has a liquid center surrounded by rubber bands, and a balata cover.It is mind boggling how far guys like Thomas, McIlroy, and Fowler can hit a golf ball. Not just the raw distance itself, but how they launch and fly the ball. McIlroy and Fowler in particular are well-built guys, but pretty short. Tiny waists. It's all about that flexibility.
It's nuts how far DJ can hit it too, but the dude also looks like he could be a stand-up pass rushing defensive end in a 3-4 defense. He is not built like a typical golfer.