[Carl Rogers]

Given the moaning, groaning and complaining (a lot of which I agree with), I think a view from the glass is half full perspective is needed.  I will start:

1. hybrid golf clubs
2. golf balls last longer
3. more access to better courses that are in better shape ....
 ..... accessable destination golf
4. equipment design and maunfacture (let's leave aside the 460 cc titanium driver) has improved vastly ... adjustable clubs are good
5. bad weather -  rain gear has improved a lot
6. are light weight carry bags a relatively new item?

[BHoover]

Comfortable golf shoes
Soft spikes and, even better, spikeless shoes

[RJ_Daley]

Maintenance equipment technological and engineering advances.  Everything from better blade sharpeners, to more precise sprayers and nozzle head material, aerator advances, sprinkler head functionality, etc.  Things that save labor time and allow more precise and efficient applications of material, and cultivation of the turf sward.  Oh,,, and the improvement in genetics of turf species cultivars themselves. 

[BHoover]

Performance fabrics, which are hard to beat for those of us who live in humid climates and sweat a lot.

[Jason Thurman]

Smoother, faster greens.
More durable, forgiving equipment.
Better clothing.
Less discrimination.
Stand bags.
Sunscreen.
Development of more inland and rural courses.

For all of our complaining, there's no question in my mind that I'd rather be a golfer in 2013 than any other year so far.

[Jud_T]

How about the newfound appreciation for classic design priorities brought on by the new Golden Age of GCA?

[Rick Shefchik]

Smoother, faster greens.
More durable, forgiving equipment.
Better clothing.
Less discrimination.
Stand bags.
Sunscreen.
Development of more inland and rural courses.

For all of our complaining, there's no question in my mind that I'd rather be a golfer in 2013 than any other year so far.

I appreciate just about every development posted on this thread, but when it comes to choosing an era in which to play, I still don't think there has been a profound improvement in the enjoyment of the game over the last 40-50 years. Golf looked like it was a lot of fun in the '20s, too.

[Jason Thurman]

That's fine Rick. I'd just much rather be playing the game now, personally.

[Bill_McBride]

Given the moaning, groaning and complaining (a lot of which I agree with), I think a view from the glass is half full perspective is needed.  I will start:


6. are light weight carry bags a relatively new item?

I guess you never had a white canvas "Sunday bag!"   I had one sixty years ago, easiest to carry until my Sun Mountain 2.5. 

[David_Tepper]

3-wheel push carts & battery-powered trolleys. 

[Greg Taylor]

It may be unpalatable to some on this site but you cannot deny that 460cc titanium woods are good for the game.

Hitting the ball 40 yards further is a thrill for everyone... you may say shaping a 170 yard six iron or holing a 10 footer downhill... but everyone and I mean everyone loves to hit the ball further.

We can argue whether they have rendered courses obsolete another time!

[jeffwarne]

It may be unpalatable to some on this site but you cannot deny that 460cc titanium woods are good for the game.

Hitting the ball 40 yards further is a thrill for everyone... you may say shaping a 170 yard six iron or holing a 10 footer downhill... but everyone and I mean everyone loves to hit the ball further.

We can argue whether they have rendered courses obsolete another time!

Greg,
Disagree completely.
Distance is all relative to other players.
I'm sure players hitting it 180 in 1890 got the same thrill we do out of being the longest in their group that the guy hitting it 280 does now.
In fact hitting it "40 yards further" has been awful for the game if you look at course alterations, narrowing of corridors, safety issues, more real estate, cost etc.
Not saying hitting it far is not a thrill ,but I absolutely don't think it's been good for the game.

[Bill Brightly]

And end to no shorts rules at almost all US clubs.

[ed_getka]

Rain gloves! I can't golf in the summer in NC without them.

Greg,
  I can deny it and I do. What are the odds you are in your 20's?

[Greg Taylor]

I'm 43...!

My point is that it's unpalatable to people on here, which represents 0.0001% of the golfing population, but to the heaving masses oversize drivers and fired up balls have made the game more playable and more fun on a Saturday morning, which ultimately is what it's about.

Granted, to GCA, different debate, but that wasn't the question posed now was it...?!

[Greg Taylor]

You'll be telling me that records are better than CDs next, "because the surface noise adds character"....!

[BHoover]

More durable balls and better rain year are the only two I agree with. 

These are the only good things that have happened to the game? Really?

I think one good thing is the improvement in access and openness. As a (granted, non-practicing) Catholic, I've played clubs that my parents and grandparents certainly would not hav been welcome. To me, that's a good thing.

I also make no apologies for enjoying modern equipment. My game does not render any golf course obsolete, so I'm happy to use modern drivers, irons, wedges when I play.

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