Retaining a Sense Of Something On Technical Advances

Peter Dawson is interviewed by John Hopkins of the Times (London).

“Some people are calling for a reining back,” he said of technology. “That is unprecedented in golf and pretty much in human endeavour. I think they have reined the javelin back because they were throwing it into the crowd and Concorde has disappeared. Those are the only two instances I can think of."

Dawson was asked why so many people in golf felt the ball was going farther if it was not. “A lot of evidence is anecdotal,” he said. “Anecdotal evidence is no good. Shotlink (a measuring system developed in the United States and used on the US tour) gives us wonderful information and since it was introduced at the start of 2003 we are seeing an increase of half a yard to a yard each year. It brings a science to the subject. So far, on that evidence, the joint statement has not been breached. But the prospect of 20 years of half a yard a year is very undesirable.”

“This is my biggest issue. We are far from putting our head in the sand. I believe we have the thing surrounded. If that proves to be wrong, steps will be taken to protect the game.”

I think he's earned an honorary doctorate in CYA studies at St. Andrews with that range of comments!