Jason:  The bunker restoration there had nothing to do with "putting teeth back into" the golf course.  We were simply trying to restore some bunkers the way MacKenzie wanted them.  It doesn't bother me a bit that a young man shot 59 on the best day of his life; I hope it doesn't bother the club, either, because there's really not much they can do about it that wouldn't be counterproductive.

Overall the golf course is in much more "maintained everywhere" condition than it used to be in the early '80s when I played in the Southern Cross there.  Before when you were more than a few yds off the fairway it was likely that you would end up in longer weedy grass (can't remember if it was fescue then or whatever grew) with who knows what kind of lie. When I recently played in June the rough was well maintained and did not create real difficult lies.  Also, the greens used to be much smaller and firmer and so the lie really mattered.  Suspect that the rough may have deepened and thickened since June but not sure if the greens are still real soft or not.  Like the enlargened greens and the look of the bunkers though.

John:

Complete field scores

http://www.golfweek.com/amateur/mens/313146480288466.php

John,
Palmetto is one of favorite places in the world-I hope the fine 59 shot by Mr. Burkhart doesn't bring about change to a place that is cherished for how little it has changed.
(disclaimer-I'm an out of town member)

Agreed the course used to have a much rougher edge-even sandy lies in the rough areas.
I know it played much tougher then-(referring to your Southern Cross days-a tournament I played in every year as well)
There were several cross hazards where "whatever" was growing(or not growing-a bit of a Pine Valley look)that have been converted to maintained bermuda rough,which isn't scaring anyone -to say nothing of how it is much less visually contrasting.
Irrigation and member pressure to emulate its' cross river neighbor have dramatically changed the look.
There were many places where missing the green brought double into play-(right of #4,anywher but on the green on #7)
now it's a simple flop or pitch from irrigated,maintained rough.

Some gems are better left undiscovered.

I do like the recent bunker renovation/restoration however.

Palmetto is a fantastic course that most of you on GCA would find to be dream, somewhat like Yeaman's Hall in setting, conditioning, etc.

Tom, when was your work done? I played there last September for the first time.

The young man that shot the 59, if reported correctly, plays on Mike Carlisle's USC-Aiken team. That means he must be a heck of a player, as Mike is a great coach. He was a former teammate of mine at Clemson.

The field at Palmetto was pretty good looking at the results. He beat '04 Carolinas Am champ Banks Wood by 16 shots and perennial mid-am contestent Wynn Solle by more.
Give this kid his due.

With the advent of computers and video (forgetting ANY improvements in clubs and balls,sports psychology and the money at the end of the rainbow ) biomechanics is finally being used in the sport and you will see more and more of these scores. The ball striking is awesome to watch.

That is a cool thing for the top players. For the avid but "average" golfer it will result in better and faster improvement. For you math geeks, geometry and physics is seriously being used in training now, thanks to the computer. Homer Kelley look out!

Brent,
Not joking at all. Obviously, the ball goes a lot farther, the clubs are "hotter", and the greens are smoother all having a significant effect on the ability to shoot lower scores more often.
It is a fact that biomechanics, computers, high tech video will make more players better, faster than ever before. This is just starting to come to golf. Other sports, such as swimming, track, etc have used these tools to great effect.
Tiger Woods has been quoted that this will have a significant impact on training. You have more players able to do well now because of these tools.
It is exciting to watch. The worse the player is, the more these tools will help.

Training? Biomechanics? Scientific basis for athletic training? Come on now, surely you jest.

Don't you know it's all about the golf ball? It is now a matter of nigh-biblical certainty in many places that the only thing making Mr. Burkhart hit the ball better than some young amateur might have done a couple decades ago is the ProV1 and Titanium golf clubs.

Brent:

I don't think that accurately reflects the consensus opinion on this site. I think what a majority of DG posters think is that there are a number of reasons why the ball goes farther than it used to, but the easiest -- or most direct -- way to protect existing golf courses is to restrict the ball.

Of course, Pat Mucci and I could both be wrong.