[Cliff Hamm]

USA today reports that this weeks bowling tournament will use plastic bowling balls that were used back in the 1980's.  The tournament will be called The Geico Plastic Ball Championship.  The article goes on to indicate that it is to increase ratings but also to "bridge the disconnect that viewers might have in seeing how much better the pros are than civilians in bowling leagues....Using plastic balls will allow pros to show how good they are even when they're not helped by the latest technology."

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2009-02-19-Bassmaster_N.htm

With golf ratings down, the end of the International, top players missing too many tournaments, it is time that golf experiment with different formats.  The match play events are certainly a start.  Wouldn't it be great to see them play with a ball from the 1960's and maybe equipment too?  It would lead to great debate and flame the Tiger vs Jack discussions.

[PCCraig]

Tiger essentially uses a replica set of Mizuno MP-14's, which he used when he turned pro and were a big forged iron in the 1990's. Of course his woods and ball use far more technology than Jack ever had, however he is a far better overall athlete.

[Craig Sweet]

So Tigers equipment...his woods and ball, are the equivalent of performance enhancing drugs...steroids.

If Tiger beats Nicklaus record for majors is it tainted?  Will it someday be considered tainted if the equipment is rolled back, and have an asterisk next to it?

[Kyle Harris]

So Tigers equipment...his woods and ball, are the equivalent of performance enhancing drugs...steroids.

If Tiger beats Nicklaus record for majors is it tainted?  Will it someday be considered tainted if the equipment is rolled back, and have an asterisk next to it?

Wow no. What laws/rules have Tiger's equipment broken?

[PCCraig]

So Tigers equipment...his woods and ball, are the equivalent of performance enhancing drugs...steroids.

If Tiger beats Nicklaus record for majors is it tainted?  Will it someday be considered tainted if the equipment is rolled back, and have an asterisk next to it?

No, because unlike baseball where (in theory) everyone is playing within a standard field of play and with the EXACT same equipment, in golf the equipmen evolves for the entire field as does the field of play (the golf course).

[jeffwarne]

Steroid use is illegal first of all (unless prescribed for specific injury).
In the game,as well as in society.

Second, if Tiger's using modern equipment, he's competing against other players that are as well.
If a player in baseball is doping, he's doing something other players aren't.

thirdly, the courses are expanded (not quite to the degree that equipment is aiding distance).

That said, I'd love to see a rollback in shaft material(weight) and balls.
Tiger's gap would grow, not shrink.

[W.H. Cosgrove]

I don't care what club Tiger swings........make him play a Tour Balata 100 and lets see how he does against the field. 

Now give the rest of the field the same ball and watch Tiger go!

[Rich Goodale]

I think that a retro event would be a great idea for the silly season, as long as it was 1980's retro and not 1880's.  I think a lot of us would watch it, but who would sponsor it?  Titleist?  Callaway?  Nike?  Stanford Financial......?

[Chris Tritabaugh]

I agree that if the equipment were rolled back Tiger's advantage would grow exponentially. I also think he could play "old school" equipment right now against guy playing modern equipment and while he might not win as many regular tour events his winning of majors would probably not change.

[Craig Sweet]

A Rod use PED's during a time when they were not illegal in the sport...yet some are questioning his record...

Could golf rules change and there be a "dead ball" era, versus a "Pro V1" era when considering records?

[C. Squier]

Re: Bowling

According to a friend who has a 200+ bowling average, the lane conditions on the PBA are very, very different than at your local lanes.  Where at a local lanes, you can miss your "mark" by a few boards and hit the pocket, on the PBA if you miss by a half board, you don't hit the pocket.  Which is why high school and college bowlers can have higher season averages than even the best pros.  The PBA event will not be like a bunch of pros randomly walking into any old bowling alley.  Allegedly  

Re: Tiger

He already plays retro clubs.  Besides his driver head, they're pretty darn old school.  He plays heavy graphite shafts, X100 tipped half a foot (!) in his blade irons and his trusty Scotty Cameron that we all know is based off the rough design of a Ping Anser.  Even his golf ball spins more than the "regular" Nike Platinum ball, which isn't even the most technologically advanced ball on the market.  He has repeatedly said in interviews about his equipment that he is far from optimized when it comes to launch angles and spin rates, but he would rather "see" the ball the way he always has than to become optimized and get a different ballflight.  Make the rest of the field play what he does, the gap widens.  A lot.

[PCCraig]

I always thought the biggest advantage in the equipment is with the golf ball, not the actual clubs. The ProV1 is really really an advantage over the old balata balls.

The sad thing is I like the old balatas! They may not last as long but they are awesome around the greens.

[Joe Hancock]

A Rod use PED's during a time when they were not illegal in the sport...yet some are questioning his record...

Could golf rules change and there be a "dead ball" era, versus a "Pro V1" era when considering records?

Assuming he started and stopped when he said he did. It seems to be a good move to play dumb and naive once you get caught.

Joe

[Kirk Gill]

Tiger is so good, that it's hard for me to believe that a rollback in equipment, if applied to all, would change his status in the sport.

But I have to admit that I'd LOVE to see the current pros play balata with persimmon woods instead of the no-spin rocket-launcher setups that are the norm today. Just change a couple of words from that release above...

Using (balata balls and woods actually made of wood) will allow pros to show how good they are even when they're not helped by the latest technology."

I'd really enjoy seeing how much of a difference it made, in both distance and accuracy. The difference might very well be less than one would think...

But would the pros ever do it? Or would it be too risky to their fragile psyches? Heck, they don't play now in tourneys that might throw them off their game..........

[jeffwarne]

A Rod use PED's during a time when they were not illegal in the sport...yet some are questioning his record...

Could golf rules change and there be a "dead ball" era, versus a "Pro V1" era when considering records?

Assuming he started and stopped when he said he did. It seems to be a good move to play dumb and naive once you get caught.

Joe

baseball's a joke

a swimmer is suspended for doing something 90% have done in their life-which if anything inhibits performance-
a baseball player?
keeps and gets more millions-and has the support of all (because they probably did the same thing)

[Jim_Kennedy]

Jeff,
Phelps caught it on the chin because he had no cover and because he's a representative of "Amateur" sports, and held to a higher standard because of the illusion surrounding it.


Cliff,
It would be a fun idea for the silly season, as Rich suggested. I might like to see equipment from the early/mid '60s instead of the '80s, but either way, it could be fun to watch, especially with all the hi-tech available to make then/now comparisons during the event.
Get on that, willya' ! 

[Craig Sweet]

jeff...

baseball has made their own mess and it is all about the money..

For some players there is winter ball...many times dictated by their club...and then there is nearly two months of spring training...followed by 162 games.

In my opinion baseball had/has a steroid and amphetamine problem because the season is too long, and too much of a grind.  

[jeffwarne]

Jeff,
Phelps caught it on the chin because he had no cover and because he's a representative of "Amateur" sports, and held to a higher standard because of the illusion surrounding it.


Cliff,
It would be a fun idea for the silly season, as Rich suggested. I might like to see equipment from the early/mid '60s instead of the '80s, but either way, it could be fun to watch, especially with all the hi-tech available to make then/now comparisons during the event.
Get on that, willya' ! 

swimming did the right thing.

baseball's too far gone.
only matters I guess if you actually watch it

[Craig Sweet]

Shivas...

Whatever...if you want to argue..fine.

I am saying baseball has set up a situation that has led to bad behavior by the participants...much like the recent banking crisis.

Reduce the number of games, reduce the number of night games followed by day games...and doubleheaders and I bet you have fewer problems with drug use.

[Craig Sweet]

Shivas..

Nice set of numbers...where did you find them?

[Kalen Braley]

Craig, I'll just assume you forgot that swimmers log about 400% the training and pool time that baseball players spend playing and training for baseball...

As one who has a daughter on the high school swim team I can vouch for this.  Even at the high school level they easily spend 2-3 hrs per day in the pool.  At the Olympic level its easily 4-5 hrs per day. To boot swimming is way more physically intensive than baseball where most of the time your either sitting or standing around.

Why they used roids wasn't a function of the amount they play it was a simple lack of no rules and enforcement.

[jeffwarne]

next we're going to hear football's too rough and that's why they use 'em.

and basketball season is too long so drug use is understandable there also.--cause God knows it's Waaaaay too long-but again I don't watch that joke either (perhaps drug use causes traveling and palming-or maybe the refs need drugs to improve vision)

and that if the seasons were shorter there'd be no drug use.

Stars started using drugs because players of lesser ability were using and improving---and not getting caught

[Mark Smolens]

First of all, use of PEDs was not "legal" for baseball players.  The fact that they weren't tested for them (and still aren't for that matter, if you throw HGH into the mix) doesn't change that fact.

Further, with respect to the assertion that "If a player in baseball is doping, he's doing something other players aren't," I say bs, or at least objection, assumes a fact not in evidence.

[Kalen Braley]

First of all, use of PEDs was not "legal" for baseball players.  The fact that they weren't tested for them (and still aren't for that matter, if you throw HGH into the mix) doesn't change that fact.

Further, with respect to the assertion that "If a player in baseball is doping, he's doing something other players aren't," I say bs, or at least objection, assumes a fact not in evidence.

Mark,

I had to chuckle at that comment too.  I'm amazed at how many people want to take digs at baseballs current whipping boy Alex R, yet seem to have no problem in looking the other way and not demanding the other 103 names on the list of other players be released.

What a big pile of hypocritical dog crap this entire thing is!

[Richard Choi]

A-Rod is a proven liar. Why would anyone believe that he only did what he has professed so far? His urine test showed more than one type of steroid and it is highly unlikely that he stopped using it when there were so many other designer steriods that can easily be masked.

If you believe baseball is clean today (I would argue more people are using HGH/steroid today than ever before), I have a nice bridge you may want to buy.

Back to the topic...

I am sorry to break it to ya, but the opinions expressed in this board is decidely small minority of the overall golf watching public. The PBA tour can do this because their ratings REALLY SUCK and they need as many gimmicks as possible to get some additional eyeballs.

Golf watching public is HUGE compared to bowling and it is even larger still when Tiger is in it.

Other than wearing jersey throwbacks, no other sport would EVER contemplate rolling back equipment like we are talking about here. Shoud basketball go back to old canvas Converse sneakers? Should football go back to leather helmets?

Of course not. The fans like technology advances. Sports reflect the society in general, they want to see it keep advancing, not retreat back to the Bronze Age.

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