So how many guys on Tour generated more clubhead speed than Jack in 1970? Maybe a dozen?
How many guys on Tour today generate more clubhead speed than Jack did in 1970? If not all of them, then at least a couple hundred. Zach Johnson probably creates as much clubhead speed as Jack did in his prime. Not as good an athlete but better technique, better training, better nutrition and just generally a couple generations of progress (and by "better" in this context I mean "better able to create clubhead speed").a
Brent,
I'll be the first to admit there are so many better players today than in the 60's, 70's.
Sheer numbers, better athletes, and much better teaching.
I'd also say there are 20 players around the world who hit it as good as Hogan (blasphemy) just that they have thousands of great players to beat, not dozens.
That said,
Jack was using a 42 inch metal shafted driver. 43 was standard
Most Tour drivers now are AT LEAST 45 inches, often 46, with superlightweight shafts, and balls that spin way less so high speeds don't drive them spinningly up into the stratosphere. (those balls were available in the 60's but were useless around the greens)
Dustin could n doubt generate good speed with jack's driver(but not what he can with his own), but I doubt Zack could.
I'm merely suggesting the game is different now because of equipment, but also due to the factors you cite.
If a sudden evolution of arm growth allowed bowlers to reach out and dunk the pins, wouldn't an adjustment need to be made the length of lanes? and if an exploding ball made strikes automatic for pros, wouldn't the equipment need to be tweaked?
and Brent, Does eating nachos, drinking Budweiser and typing on my couch all winter explain why at age 50 I can routinely drive 15 at Palmetto, yet growing up never did until 5-6 years ago/