We continually hear of players hitting the ball ridiculously long. I am not talking about a few extra yards, but the pros hitting their ball hundreds of yards father most amateurs. It is impressive and disheartening at the same time to hear or watch their ball sail to the moon and back. I am not sure it is good for the game, but it is the way of the future.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that the nature of golf has evolved to a point where we scratch our heads and think what could possibly be next? Starting at the Tiger era, distances of the tee have steadily increased to a point that if you cannot hit your ball 300+ yards, you will have difficulty competing at the professional level.
No longer can you have a solid swing and laser point accuracy as a professional. It is first about distance, then the other stuff. Distance is king and likely will be the corner stone of the golf swing for years to come.
I asked what the big difference between now an 20 years ago and this is what you said:
As I expected, innovative equipment and fitness lead the answers. I have to agree with this view, but want to change the wording a bit.
The science of golf has empowered players to hit the ball a country mile. Every aspect of the game is analyzed, tested, trialed, and delivered at all levels of the game. The scientific method of improvement has made the greatest impact on golf and will continue to help shape the game of the future.
Here is an example of what I mean:
It never stops. The minutest of details is broken down and rebuilt to perfection. It reminds me of the Bionic Man from back in the 70s, better, stronger, faster, than he was before!
There is no stopping progress. Maybe I am a bit jealous because I only average about 240 yards off the tee. I am hoping my new driver fixes that, but in reality I am not a long ball hitter. It might be something to address this spring when I take the three lessons I planned to take this year.
Or maybe I should ask Santa for a swing like Brooke Henderson, she only averages 270 yards off the tee!
Professional golfers hit the ball ridiculously far. There is no way around it and I do not see things changing anytime soon. With the new scientific method of analyzing golf, I only see greater improvements in distance and accuracy. I am not sure where things will level off, but it is not going to happen anytime soon.
Do you think that golf has evolved too much, too fast?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
A new driver is always nice, but the problem we have with distance is not our drivers. It’s our swings. We cast. End of story, and real distance.
Look at the video’s of your swing on this post in slow motion: https://thegratefulgolfer.com/2017/10/27/fighting-your-golf-swing/
When I look at my swing, the club head isn’t far behind yours. Call it maybe between two and three clubs heads higher. I’m hitting 260-270 again now that I fixed that trajectory issue I struggled with for months this year. It feels so much better to get past the 220-240 I was struggling to hit for awhile, but I know I have more in me. I’ve hit the ball 300 yards before at sea level with no breeze, and I know I can again if I can just swing correctly. This is the video I’m using to work on the issue.
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Kevin,
You are right. I will be working on that this spring. Additionally, I hope that some training aids over the winter will get me started. Thanks for the help.
Cheers Jim
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Jim, here’s hoping that your new driver and some lessons in the spring will add yards to your tee shots. I know that over the last three years of instruction, the part of my game that has seen the most improvement is length off the tee. It hasn’t come easy but it’s amazing what and extra 10-20 yards will do to your perspective and course management.
Good luck!
Brian
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Thanks Brian! I am hoping the same thing!
Cheers Jim
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Jim, golf is unique because it allows us to make apples to apples comparisons with ourselves and our professional heroes. No other sport permits it and that’s what gives you a disheartening feeling. Don’t let it. Would you ever try to throw a football like Aaron Rodgers with several 300 lb men trying to drill you? Or hit a 100 mph fastball like J.D. Martinez? You wouldn’t even step foot on the playing surfaces at Lambeau Field or Fenway Park, much less try. But in golf, you can play with the same equipment, on some of the same courses as the best in the world, and even from the same set of tees if you are crazy enough. This makes the driving distance comparison inevitable. Plus, we are constantly bombarded with advertising trying to get us to play the same equipment as the pros. Ever see an add to buy the same bat that Martinez uses? You get the picture 🙂
Excellent post, thanks!
Brian
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Brian
Thanks for the much needed perspective. I did get lost in the quagmire of distance off the tee for sure. Your sage comments is well received. Have an awesome day!
Cheers Jim
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All good points Brian. I can thrash an S2000 but it doesn’t make me Lewis Hamilton.
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