RS:
That is all very interesting about the playing characteristics of the gutty compared to the Haskell or heavier ball that came in after it, particularly how quickly the gutty stopped and did not runout compared to the Haskell or heavier ball.
It is also interesting how much the older players who had used the gutty liked it compared to the heavier ball that ran out too much. Obviously, in their opinion with the gutty stopping as it did hazards could be brought in closer to greens and the aerial game consequently was at a premium.
I must say I was not aware that the gutty was considered far more of an aerial ball compared to the heavier ball. I always thought the ground game was very much a part of old golf and old architecture.
There is a real irony here, however, because we today can create essentially the same playing conditions that would recreate the playing characteristics of the old gutty and its aerial characteristics.
All we would need to do is just keep golf courses irrigated and very receptive to today's ball so there would be no bounce and runout on fairways or greens or anywhere else.
Problem is, we, at least in America, have just been through about fifty plus years of that and we are now trying to get away from it for various reasons including to bring approximately one half the game of golf back, at least as an option----eg the ground game!!