Reading through this thread, it seems the evolution of the ball has also killed traditional long irons - as well as less lofted persimmon drivers. I used to hit my beloved Ping Eye 1-iron off the tee often enough my father referred to it as my "chicken stick" - knowing what an impossibly conservative player I am.
Now it sits next to my desk at the office, sticking its tongue out at me - a daily reminder of my accelerating dotage and white tee infirmities.
One of the Treehouse OG's has been kind enough to send me off a couple sleeves of marshmallow pellets from the Nixon Administration era, but the long term sustainability is like trying to get 16mm B&W film developed.
The long term solution for our noble persimmon companions - since golf balls that smile ruefully after a skulled wedge will soon be rarer than a Whig Party bumper sticker - will be relegating traditional drivers to ceremonial appearances and embracing 2 and 3 woods.
Seattle Boom Boom wore a hole in his Helen Hicks 3-wood for most of our youth and the longest amateur I ever saw was Frank Mazion (Jim Dent's doppelganger), who pounded his Powerbilt to several SF City Championships.
I started to play Lady Precepts after back rehab #2 and they served me well - but at this point, even a dimpled cream puff attached to a red balloon won't fly any better than a fat penguin off my favorite Orlimar Persimmon driver.