The interesting point is the lack of courses in the UK to promote this feature of the game. Fair amount overseas, but surprisingly very few here.
I wonder if that is a reflection of the game and how it is approached in these islands, perhaps limited by the original land available, yet Prestwick which has its limitations in that directions had one of the longest 1st Holes on record.
Interesting point would be to date these holes and see what the GCA trend was and when, as clearly more are found outside the UK than within. Then it may lead to yet another question, why, is there something testing or enjoyable in facing a long hole at the start or is it simply down to the dictation of the ball and supporting club technology.
For what it’s worth my feelings on distance is like driving down a motorway. You want speed and distance ASAP yet it that not just plain bloody boring when compared to facing the designers challenges of the course. Distance is the curse of the long distance lorry driver, his aim is to eat up the miles before becoming just too bored, but then that’s not the intention of golf or for that matter golfers. IMHO distance cannot be translated into the challenge let alone skill, that’s not what golf is about either. Surely from the start it’s about the challenge, making the course not just interesting but playable. Not simply drivable otherwise what is the point. No doubt those among us, the long hitters and those dedicated to the alter of distance over anything else (apparently) will strongly disagree saying its takes skill to hit the ball into next week. Nevertheless I say there is more enjoyment and skill in the little fingers of the golfers who prefer to test themselves against the land, designers and the course at hand.
For the record how many top quality players or Pro’s have sunk a 600-700 yards first hole in 3 using the modern ball and equipment, also did distance aids help?
Melvyn
PS As for my family and our connection to golf, that’s nothing new, I have grown up knowing that many famous golfers and designers are related to me either by blood or the few who are not through marriage to family members. When discussing golf from the 19th Century their name are at the forefront of the game as well as design.
The fact that there are very few 500-600yard 1st Holes in British Golf is I thought interesting. As for Young Tommy downing the ball in 3 its a feat in Golf that even Tiger has not matched – certainly not using a Hickory shafted club and gutty ball.
Also while on the subject, I hear many saying that Tiger has taken Old Tom’s record of the greatest number of clear winning strokes in Majors, but let’s get the story and historical facts right before trying to crown a young pretender, Tiger has never achieved that record at The Open.- If you want to judge the man do so on the competition that he played when the record was originally set, don’t try and water it down by introducing more chances to achieve that gap. Remember the original record was set when there was just ONE major competition in the world. I would have thought that it should have been well beaten by now but no, certainly not in The Open.
Like it or hate it golf is part of the life and times of my family and has been so for well over 200 years, live with it or ignore it that’s you choice. As for me, judge me on my contributions (if any) that I have made to this sites, from historical knowledge be they the issuing of articles either to individuals or on this open site its self. Last but not least why do so many want to meet me if it is not for my connection to many of the 19th Century Champion golfers and designers. Out of all I have come across over the years, it’s only a hand full from this site that reflects such nastiness to this individual.
Melvyn