[PThomas]

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

[Andy Acker]

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]

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

[A.G._Crockett]

The Golf Channel.

I can get a fix any hour night or day, plus pull for Danielle on Big Break III.

[JakaB]

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]

The turf grass research stations and network at various universities have continued to expand and prosper.

[ForkaB]

--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]

--getting cannier as you get older

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

[Rick Shefchik]

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.

[THuckaby2]

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.

 

[Mike_Cirba]

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]

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.

[JakaB]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[ForkaB]

--getting cannier as you get older

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

John

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

[danielfaleman]

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]

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.

[A.G._Crockett]

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.

[Dan Herrmann]

Golf balls that don't get smiles.

[Mike_Young]

Shoes that don't leak, softspikes,

[Joe Hancock]

...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

[Tom Jefferson]

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.

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