WOW !!!! The Future of Golf !!!!!

[Paul Richards]

To Geoff Shackelford:



Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!


Finally, someone has come out and said what's needed to be said in regards to the future of the game of golf and how technology is ruining it!!


I just finished reading your book, The Future of Golf, and was blown away by how well you were able to say it.


So a great big THANK YOU.


Sorry if this was a previous topic, but having just finished the book, I couldn't wait to share my enthusiasm.


In fact, I'm so 'high' on the thoughts shared that I've changed by GCA moniker.


 

[Paul Richards]

My eyes are now 'wide open' - after reading Geoff's book - to the dangers to the game presented by the companies that make the golf equipment and just how much power they wield over today's game.

This week's GolfWorld submits the following:

"The leading manufacturer of golf balls has complied with a request of the USGA and submitted balls that travel shorter distances than current models as the ruling body and the R & A study how a reduced-distance ball would affect the game.  

Wally Uihlein, CEO of Acushnet, told the paper he honored the request but with reservation.  "Because the ball is the object that flies," said Uihlein, "it is often seen as the exclusive cause of all change in the game.  That would be akin to blaming the bullet for any increase in handgun-muzzle velocity."


This is the same Uihlein that claimed previously that it would take about three years to come up with a reduced-distance ball...    

[Paul Richards]

I referred to the following in my previous post here:

"Now try not to laugh here, but the folks at Titleist, who have out-innovated just about everyone, say it would take up to 3 years to develop such a ball!

'It's not like resizing your computer screen, or saying, 'OK, I've got a 14 font, let's go to a 10.' It's jut not that simple," said Acushnet (Titleist) CEO Wally Uihlein, presumably with a straight face.  'Making a golf ball is a fairly sophisticated endeavor.  To rachet down the velocity ... will change how the ball performs.  You won't have the same trajectory, spin rate, launch conditions.'  

 - The Future of Golf, page 170

[Geoff_Shackelford]

Paul,
Thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoyed the book. I too have found the news of Titleist's ability to produce a reduced flight ball in a few months quite interesting. They must have been working around the clock in Fairhaven!

I'd also love to know if a club asked about selling such a ball or using it in a club tournament, if Titleist would sell them to such a club. After all, aren't they obligated to their shareholders to maximize profit?
Geoff

[Nathan Cashwell]

I too recently finished "The Future of Golf."  Great book, very well written and comprehensive.  I have turned on a half dozen or so modern golfers onto the book, who think golf should be easy and buy the newest technology whenever they can.  Even though they see no real improvement that doesn't stop them from throwing down another $500 or so for the next Volkswagen on a steel pipe that are the new drivers.  Hopefully this will open their eyes a bit and they will share it with others.  Thanks again Geoff.

[Dan Herrmann]

I wonder how much going back to actual wood woods would make?  Is there enough persimmon in the world anymore?

[Willie_Dow]

Dan: That would be a good question to ask Kenneth Smith Co or George Izzet.
Geoff: Please keep us updated on your progress with these wonderful chapters.  The momentum you have started must be kept alive.

[Rick Shefchik]

I too recently finished "The Future of Golf."  Great book, very well written and comprehensive.  I have turned on a half dozen or so modern golfers onto the book, who think golf should be easy and buy the newest technology whenever they can.  Even though they see no real improvement that doesn't stop them from throwing down another $500 or so for the next Volkswagen on a steel pipe that are the new drivers.  Hopefully this will open their eyes a bit and they will share it with others.  Thanks again Geoff.

Golf should be easy -- or, at least, easier than it is. That's what your friends are missing when they peel off C-notes to buy the newest technology. Every buck that flows into Acushnet's coffers is a vote for longer, tougher, harder golf courses. Your ProV1 and your state-of-the-art-this-month driver are no match for a difficult golf course, unless you're a pro.

[Nathan Cashwell]

I've recently gone back to persimmons.  When you hit it in the screws it goes almost as far as todays drivers (with todays balls) and goes probably about as far as todays 3 woods.  Of course there is no better feeling than hitting it in the screws.  However, if you mis hit it just slightly you can tell the difference.  Play persimmons for a few weeks then go back to your current driver and you will see a difference.  Obviously that is for your average golfer, I don't know how much of a difference persimmon would make to a top amateur or a touring professional.  However, I think it would make a noticeable and exciting difference, and we would find out real quick who really was a good ball striker and who was getting the biggest help from new technology on tour.  I have wanted to see the persimmon come back to tour for a while.  After all they have to use wood (ash) bats in MLB.  However, I certainly don't see as many persimmon (trees) around as I used to (in the Southeast).

[A_Clay_Man]

Just so no casual observer thinks gca.com is just a big groupthink lovefest...

Golf is too big a world to be ruined by one facet.

The ball critics seems to vascilate between the issue of it becoming boring watching the pros golf, than playing the course, for the individual.


Why is history repeating itself?

[Kevin_Reilly]

Dan: That would be a good question to ask Kenneth Smith Co

Unfortunately, Kenneth Smith is NLE...its "name" is attached now to component clubs sold by a company called Raven golf.

[Lynn_Shackelford]

Went to Raven golf clubs site.  They have Kenneth Smith clubs, but none that are wood.  So this means that Kenneth Smith wooden clubs are no longer made?

[Paul Richards]

Geoff

> I too have found the news of Titleist's ability to produce a reduced flight ball in a few months quite interesting.


Would LOVE to see Wally explain this one away .....