DanK:
Would it be this from Rich's initial post?
"2. "Long John" Hurley (yes, I am worried about this obsession too.....)"
If so, I admit, that kind of distance sure does fascinate me for a lot of reasons. And I've been around golf and golfers long enough to know it totally fascinates them too, and almost to a man, although hardly a single one can bring himself to admit it.
I dare say, perhaps other than Ran Morrissett there probably isn't a contributor on this website who wouldn't give most anything to see and feel what it's like to be on the delivering end of one of Long John Hurley's drives. Of course most will deny it but it's just that denial---eg unwillingness to admit the truth.
Look at all these golfers everywhere who yell and scream about how increased distance is ruining the game. But what's in their bags? The newest and latest distance enhancing high-tech balls and equipment. If they're personally so against distance then why do they buy and use that stuff? You know what almost everyone says about that? "If I don't use it everyone else who does will beat me."
That's probably the biggest horseshit rationalization I've ever known if someone really wants you to believe they really are personally opposed to distance.
No Sir, there's no question at all---none---that the allure of increased distance and the fascination with it in almost every single golfer is probably the single most seductive thing in all of golf. Always has been, it is now, and very likely always will be. The fact that so few who bitterly complain about distance can't admit that is the most ironic and laughable thing of all.
But that's golf, isn't it? No one can truly put their finger on what it's completely about. It probably always will be inscrutable to some degree.