Peter,
Glad I caught this one before it disappeared.
Stangely enough, I've been asking myself some of these questions for an article I'm writing for, wait for it...Old Tom's Great, Great, Grandson !
The biggest part of this excercise is a total guessing game although in the first instance we must remember that almost ALL of Tom's designs, modifications etc , were in the age of the gutta ball. What he would have thought of the corruption of designs going through, say, 1910 onwards, we'll never know. And that, of course, raises the question of the Haskell's introduction ? Personally, I can't see him being out of favour with the Haskell's introduction as it was sort of deja vu in relation to his own introduction to the gutta from the feathery age during the late 1840's.
I think he would have favoured many improvements in the sport (equipment and balls) that made the game easier to play for the hacker. But he never really witnessed how the scale and balance was being lost in regard to the "playing field" because of the advancements in the ball, as he died in 1908 ! Had he lived longer, I believe he would have had something to say about how much the ball should be "allowed" to advance ?
I've always held the opinion that the early architects such as Old Tom, Fernie, Park etc... carried out their work in a fairly simplistic fashion compared to the serious land restructuring that followed throught the 20th century ! However, that's not to underestimate or belittle their achievements in golf architecture. Their professional wisdom in laying out courses certainly speaks for itself - and that includes all the wee 9 holers and less common names in golf courses.
How he would have viewed the obsession with manicurism is another interesting question because he certainly appeared to do his best to manicure Prestwick and the Old Course during his time. But again, I believe there would have come a time in golf's progression where he might have been tut - tutting at the extremes of todays courses ?
When confronted by a golfer complaing about the rough on the Old Course in his later years, he replied - "Rough ? In my day...lose yer ba' ? Ye could lose yer dug in there !"
There's one thing for sure, there can hardly have been anyone who ever done so much to promote the sport from virtually elitist in the early 19th century, to that of a booming pastime by the end of his life !
Your reference to the "outpouring of affection at his death" is truly incredible and speaks for itself. He received almost the equivalent of a State Funeral in St Andrews attended en masse by representatives of clubs from all over the UK and a few overseas too.
I reckon from, say, 1870 or thereabouts, to the day of his death - Old Tom Morris of St Andrews WAS the soul of golf !
He also knew what the soul of golf actually was and what made golf such a special game, and did a marvellous job in extending that experience to all who came before him.
If Old Tom was here today, he would be aghast in wondering as to where that soul had gone ?
And you know what - their's little to show for what he done for the sport in St Andrews itself ?
Hope you're still there Peter ?
Alfie.