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PThomas

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Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #25 on: April 15, 2005, 10:20:56 AM »
some great thoughts already

it is wise to be positive, IMHO...with all the various forms of bad shit in the world we should always to count our blessings and take nothing for granted

my 2 cents:

GCA (thanks Ran), and all the great friends I have already met in only 4 months

this "new age" of throwback design we are in thanks to T Doak, C and C, Hanse, Mike Devries, et al
199 played, only Augusta National left to play!

Andy Acker

Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #26 on: April 15, 2005, 10:38:00 AM »
I'll second, the comment about the improvements in equipment especially the ball. It has allowed new golfers to become better, faster.  

Second, the evolution of the golf course. Are the game evolving the classic design? I think so, but all things must eventually change. Golf is a great game that respects but is not bound to its own history.

Buck Wolter

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Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #27 on: April 15, 2005, 10:43:57 AM »
Technology!

Not titanium, graphite or computational models of golf balls but the good ole Internet. You can research courses, plan travel, read about obscure golf topics like Golf Course Architecture all while playing Texas Hold'em in another window of your browser. I have to believe that the internet has had more of an effect on golf than any other sport.

Buck
Those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience -- CS Lewis

A.G._Crockett

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Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #28 on: April 15, 2005, 10:49:11 AM »
The Golf Channel.

I can get a fix any hour night or day, plus pull for Danielle on Big Break III.
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

JakaB

Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #29 on: April 15, 2005, 10:51:57 AM »
Cell Phones,

Me and my friends can play anytime of the week without worrying about work or explaining to the wife...it is funny how much a golf course can sound like a job site.

RJ_Daley

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Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #30 on: April 15, 2005, 11:21:55 AM »
The turf grass research stations and network at various universities have continued to expand and prosper.
No actual golf rounds were ruined or delayed, nor golf rules broken, in the taking of any photographs that may be displayed by the above forum user.

ForkaB

Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #31 on: April 15, 2005, 11:26:58 AM »
--Big tees that let you hit your melon-headed driver like a fungo
--the "Claw"
--getting cannier as you get older
--having a community of golfing friends around the world(thanks, Ran)

JohnV

Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #32 on: April 15, 2005, 01:45:54 PM »
--getting cannier as you get older

Rich, I thought you were getting pottier, not cannier.  ;D

Rick Shefchik

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #33 on: April 15, 2005, 02:01:03 PM »
When I first moved to the Twin Cities 25 years ago, I had to drive 15 miles to the first new, decent public course built in the east metro.

Now I live east of St. Paul, on a golf course built within the past 20 years; there are two other newer public courses within three miles of my house, and a half dozen other new ones within an easy drive.

I don't know if they can all survive, but my options are much greater than they were 20 years ago.

"Golf is 20 percent mechanics and technique. The other 80 percent is philosophy, humor, tragedy, romance, melodrama, companionship, camaraderie, cussedness and conversation." - Grantland Rice

THuckaby2

Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #34 on: April 15, 2005, 02:08:17 PM »
Because one can now start a thread about this and have it be taken in the proper context and have it remain positive, rather than have a new ass torn for him about how misinformed he is and what an idiot he is for thinking this way, as occurred to a very cheerful upbeat regular poster several years ago when he posted a topic damn near verbatim to this one.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 ;D

Mike_Cirba

Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #35 on: April 15, 2005, 02:08:36 PM »
The cost of tees hasn't really risen proportionate to the rate of inflation over the 35 years I've been playing.

 

A.G._Crockett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #36 on: April 15, 2005, 02:18:15 PM »
The quality of golf balls that I find while my son fishes on days the course is closed are of a much, much higher quality and in much better condition than pre-ProVI finds, allowing me to play 400 rounds, all with premium golf balls, over the last three years without buying a single ball.
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

JakaB

Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #37 on: April 15, 2005, 02:20:22 PM »
Given that a modern ball has a good one hundred holes in it the cost of balls has not risen either....I put many a smile on a Titleist Balata growing up....not to mention beating a Blue Max out of round on a hot humid day.   I would also have to say the modern grip has far more rounds for the dollar than the grips of old....and I'm not even talking leather wrap.

JakaB

Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #38 on: April 15, 2005, 02:22:26 PM »
AG,

Sorry for the comment overlap and I would agree in that I don't think the old balls could survive a winter out in the elements....or on the shelf for that matter.

JakaB

Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #39 on: April 15, 2005, 02:46:50 PM »
Playing year round is much more possible than it ever was in the past....could be improved drainage, goretex and other warmer and lighter more flexible gear, the modern forgiving club or that thing called global warming.   I don't know but I've got a full month more golfing weather here in the midwest than I did just 20 years ago..

Jason Topp

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #40 on: April 15, 2005, 02:50:37 PM »
The main reason golf is better now is because the courses are often empty.  What is bad for the industry is good for the individual player.

George Pazin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #41 on: April 15, 2005, 02:55:25 PM »
It's possible to immediately share one's interest in the game with people on the other side of the world. Thanks Ran for introducing me to Paul Daley, Greg Ramsay and a whole bunch of great Aussies, not to mention a lot other great people.
Big drivers and hot balls are the product of golf course design that rewards the hit one far then hit one high strategy.  Shinny showed everyone how to take care of this whole technology dilemma. - Pat Brockwell, 6/24/04

ForkaB

Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #42 on: April 15, 2005, 03:03:01 PM »
--getting cannier as you get older

Rich, I thought you were getting pottier, not cannier.  ;D

John

You haven't seen me play for several years now.  I am becoming surprisingly Huntleyesque!

danielfaleman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #43 on: April 15, 2005, 03:39:19 PM »
The main reason golf is better now is because the courses are often empty.  What is bad for the industry is good for the individual player.

Not here in Central Texas, courses are full at all times.

A.G._Crockett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #44 on: April 15, 2005, 06:02:10 PM »
Playing year round is much more possible than it ever was in the past....could be improved drainage, goretex and other warmer and lighter more flexible gear, the modern forgiving club or that thing called global warming.   I don't know but I've got a full month more golfing weather here in the midwest than I did just 20 years ago..

To windshirts and Gore-Tex I'll add rain gloves, which beat the heck out of playing with umbrellas and towels.
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

A.G._Crockett

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Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #45 on: April 15, 2005, 06:04:08 PM »
I'll also add cheap labor (even if illegal  :) ), which has resulted in vastly better conditioning of courses.

Also, the recent spate of books about Hagen, Jones, Ouimet, et al, that educate and entertain us all about the foundations of this game we love so much.

And for me personally, having a son who plays with me, and a wife who takes pleasure in my pleasure, even if she really doesn't fully "get it" as to why the game is a passion for me.
« Last Edit: April 15, 2005, 06:08:07 PM by A.G._Crockett »
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

Dan Herrmann

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Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #46 on: April 15, 2005, 09:46:29 PM »
Golf balls that don't get smiles.


Mike_Young

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Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #47 on: April 15, 2005, 10:06:07 PM »
Shoes that don't leak, softspikes,
"just standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona"

Joe Hancock

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #48 on: April 15, 2005, 10:08:11 PM »
...because when a GCA type visits a course under construction, the smile on their face after a ride in an excavator is priceless.

...because no matter what you think you know about golf today, there is a world of things to learn about it tomorrow and beyond.

...because of gca.com connections, you get to eat at out of the way Japanese retaraunts for about $9 including beer.

....because this spring, at least in Michigan, is as dry as a popcorn fart and the greens couldn't be better for it.

Joe
" What the hell is the point of architecture and excellence in design if a "clever" set up trumps it all?" Peter Pallotta, June 21, 2016

"People aren't picking a side of the fairway off a tee because of a randomly internally contoured green ."  jeffwarne, February 24, 2017

Tom Jefferson

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Re:100% Positive Thread...Why is Golf Better Than Ever..
« Reply #49 on: April 15, 2005, 11:49:29 PM »
Improved practice facilities.

The strong leadership of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America by Steve Mona (and many others), and the commitment of it's members to excellence in the work they do.

The excellent work of golf course photographers.

The reemergence of the caddy in the American golf experience.
the pres