Interesting reading this topic. I have been a subscriber to Australian Golf Digest for about 10 years. There is some quality articles but there are some sad indictments on golf. I sarcastically live in anticipation in finding out who are the biggest advertising spenders each year also disguised as the so called hot list.... Never seen a Miura or an Epon in there!
On the topic of controlling equipment, this is something I do not support at all. You see if a corporation or an individual could be bothered to invest valuable time and financial resources in developing, selling, advertising and satisfying customers (this last point is a mute point), then good on them let them. Cause if it's not spent on our great game of golf they will spend that on another sport like tennis, sailing, soccer, formula one, swimming, polo whatever so just feel blessed that they chose golf. Makes our game better, more valuable and more enduring. Look at the sports that do not get those dollars, squash, volleyball, darts, tenpin bowling....
As for the so called classic courses being ripped up by pros and elite amateurs, go ahead! The fact that the majority of golfers will struggle to par half the holes let alone shoot under par means the courses are fine as they are. Adding yards does not compensate for having to fade or draw a drive. Well placed bunkers and green complexes take care of the long hitters. You still have to putt the ball into the cup. No super duper driver or ball does that for you. The player holder the putter does that.
Let us sit back and enjoy golf pros shooting the odd 59 and celebrate it. Let's not stymie progress. Look at Americas Cup sailing, they have embraced the tech race as has other sports. This protecting par for 144 players that play a pro tournament each year is rubbish.
If Gary Woodland and Jamie Sadlowski were winning every tournament at -64 each week then we have a distance problem and our golf courses are too short. Fact is guys like Tom Watson contend for the Open championship, Fred Funk wins a Players Championship etc etc. It's not a distance problem it's a whining problem we have on our hands!
As for calling for the Ford Capri to comeback... Wow! Petition the white house for that one!