"Leave all the technology for the amateur and slow the ball down for the pros 40 to 50 yards."

That's Gary Player, outraged by the R&A moving the 17th hole back, talking to an audience this week and on video for those who can see BBC videos (not you, America).

Comments

[Tommy Naccarato]

Gary, You almost had me!

At least all the way up until you started bashing undulating greens, which he is right to some extent, when they get so ridiculous as a point of being ridiculous and make no sense when it comes to the strategy of a golf hole. Somehow, somewhere I was waiting for him to drop in how he designs golf courses much differently and how the world should be using Gary Player Design Services! I mean you know it was coming, right?!?!?!

The entire first 2/3rd's he is spot on. Glad he is finally aboard the bus.

[Kelly Blake Moran]

One Golf Nation under One Golf Ball!

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

Yeah, but who is Gary Player to dispute the Duke of York?

[gp]

and i walked 4 miles to school in the snow uphill both ways! Give me a break.

[Brad Ford]

Slow the ball down for everyone.

If they reduce the flight of the ball back to 1970's or 80's distances, the courses will be shortened by the same amount. In the end, we will be playing the same game on shorter courses which are cheaper to maintain, more environmentally friendly, and able to be built on a smaller footprint. Furthermore, shorter courses will likely increase the pace of play as it takes less time to travel 6,500 yards than it does to travel 7,000 yards.

All distance improving technology has done is force courses to move the tee's back.

[Jordan]

(I live in America, and I was able to watch it.) And he's right. Amateur baseball allows aluminum bats. But professional baseball doesn't. Bifurcation. Pure and simple. Would work in golf too.

[Matt]

Agreed, Jordan. Middle handicaps don't benefit from the technology like the pros do anyway-only in their minds. So keep it for them. They also don't have the easy access to or ability to afford optimization like pros anyway. This makes too much sense to happen. The USGA and R&A need to tell the equipment folks to bug off. Change their advertising campaigns if need be.

[d.b.cooper]

Agree, slow the ball down across the board.

As far as the "Glad he is finally aboard the bus" remarks, I recall Player taking the same position several years ago.

And he was apparently driving the "bus" as far as bringing up PED issues, with those remarks at another British Open a few years ago.

[Tommy Naccarato]

it would seem to me that a certain author and host of this website once wrote about these same issues about five to six years ago: Bifurcation Now!

[vwgolfer]

40 to 50 Yards???

Should I get my MODEL T cranked up too with my wifes ankle showing for sex appeal?

Stupid.

[Brad Ford]

vw golfer - what is stupid is using (expensive) technology to hit the ball and extra 40-50 yards causing the courses to grow by 40-50 yards per hole.

Using the theory that "progress" is always better, we should be firing balls out of cannons instead of learning to hit proper shots.

[Joey]

I agree with Gary Player. Regulate the ball for the pros and leave the rest of us alone. I like my balls, my clubs, and my wedges just the way they are. The game is hard enough.

[d.b.cooper]

Actually, it would seem to me that this ball talk issue has been kicked around for nearly 20 years.

Perhaps certain author and Mr. Player were both late arriving to the bus station.

Bifurcation Now! (whatever the hell that means)

[Bob]

I wonder how Callaway feels about Gary Player endorsing a roll-back.

[Steven T.]

I want to see a pro hit my driver 350 yards. They play a different game. I'm in favor of the 2 ball concept.