Does Modern Technology Lead to More Lost Balls?

[Phil Benedict]

Over at Geoff Shackleford's site Jack Nicklaus is quoted contending that the greater distances produced by modern drivers and balls results in more lost balls at the amateur level.  I've always lost more than my fair share of golf balls, but as I have aged I haven't lost any distance thanks to the equipment but my eye-sight has deteriorated, so I can't see my ball land anymore on most drives.  Is Jack on to something here, or is he just being a grumpy old man again?

[Mike Benham]

But hasn't the modern equipment, specifically the design characteristics of the ball, allowed the ball to curve less?  

At least that is one of the cries of Mr. Nicklaus himself, that the modern ball (and modern golfer for that matter) can't be worked.  Since the amateur golfer is using the same ball, it should mean the same at that level.

However, what I do think has increased lost balls is the modern golf course.  Poor pieces of land which dictate forced carries over ravines or water hazards and housing development courses that have narrowed holes come to mind as primary evidence.

If more courses were wide open like TOC, the quantity of lost balls would decrease.

[Mike Wagner]

Definitely.  However, with everyone playing ProV's, the amount of quality "found" balls has increased dramatically...

[A.G._Crockett]

A very good question, but I think I'd disagree.  My feeling is that most amateurs hit the modern ball straighter to a greater degree than they hit it farther, but I couldn't prove that except by my own game.  But I sure have seen a lot of ProV's start out as big bananas or duck hooks and seem to straighten out toward the end of their flight.

On the other hand, I have 17 dozen FOUND ProV's in my hall closet, and haven't bought a golf ball in almost six years, so SOMEBODY sure is losing a lot of balls!

[Padraig Dooley]

It is reasonable to say if somebody starts hitting it further, it is normally further into the woods  .

Seriously, proper club fitting with modern technology should lead to a slight gain in distance allied to a slight gain in accuracy.

What type of distance gains are we looking at? 10 yards is a good gain. Bigger gains are normally the result of hitting the ball better, which means an accompanying gain in accuracy.

Will 10 yards mean more lost balls? Maybe, but not too many.

[Bill_McBride]

There probably would be more lost balls if dispersion patterns hold true at longer distances - am I making myself clear? - except that I think only a very small percentage actually see much added distance due to modern technology.

I could of course be all wet.  

[Phil Benedict]

On the other hand, I have 17 dozen FOUND ProV's in my hall closet, and haven't bought a golf ball in almost six years, so SOMEBODY sure is losing a lot of balls!

AG,

If you have any with PMB on them, I want them back!

[Garland Bayley]

I used to hit it much farther than I do now. I used to lose more balls than I do now. Jack is right. It used to be only us cheapskate rock flite players that could hit it so far. Now everybody gets a chance at it with the modern balls that have been illegally vaselined at the factory.

[Joe Hancock]

Now everybody gets a chance at it with the modern balls that have been illegally vaselined at the factory.

I had no idea. I wonder if the manufacturers know the word is out?

Joe

[Tom_Doak]

Modern technology hasn't caused nearly as many lost balls as has modern architecture, in its overcompensating for modern technology.

[A.G._Crockett]

On the other hand, I have 17 dozen FOUND ProV's in my hall closet, and haven't bought a golf ball in almost six years, so SOMEBODY sure is losing a lot of balls!

AG,

If you have any with PMB on them, I want them back!

Phil,
I actually have returned balls to guys at my club because it had their identifying mark or their company logo.  I've even found balls that I've lost in a previous round a couple of times!

But no PMB's yet; I'll keep an eye out.

[Dan Kelly]

How many have been lost owing to modern environmental consciousness?

[A.G._Crockett]

Modern technology hasn't caused nearly as many lost balls as has modern architecture, in its overcompensating for modern technology.

 

Well said.  

Of course, now I want to ask about lost balls at Sebonack.

[Tags:]

Tags: