David, George & Keith
We judge people today on what we believe are our higher standard, but we just have not learnt the lessons from history.
Sod any other game, we are talking ‘Golf’, so let’s look to proving your points. As I said before ask a Pro or scratch player to don the equipment of the 1900-1925, noting that if this exercise in being undertaken in America, that course selection is important. No super manicured course with flat Greens, but more a course that represents the time period that we are referring to. Then undertake a test, say over three-six rounds, I fear the game may be slightly alien for our Pro so I would not be expecting any great score let alone performance.
As for 20 year olds, let’s look to a 19 year old who won The Open in 1870 starting the round with a 3 on a 578 yard Hole using the clubs of the day and the early gutty ball. This same young man had the ability as the reports go, to snap a head off an Iron by waggling it back and forward showing the strength in his wrists.
No, sorry guys, strip back the equipment and judge for yourself. Yet the reverse is also rather valid, give the golfers of the 19th or early 20th Century the courses and todays equipment, a little time to adjust and would we not have a great game. Noting the easier life our modern player, I fear that yesterday’s Champions would do some serious damage to the reputation of today’s top players. This of course can’t be proven (or disproven) but we can test the modern players with the old equipment.
So come put up or shut up I believe is the expression – the opportunity to prove us wrong is there, who will rise to the challenge?
Melvyn