I think the point I'm trying to make is that I've been coming here to GCA for 22 years now and have been hearing since 1999 or so that technology has now reached some type of limit...that balls won't go further or clubs won't be produced to make balls go further and that we are now at maximum warp speed and everyone can take a deep breath and relax.
Bull.
Back then I asked the simple question; how long would the 18th hole at Merion have to be for Tiger Woods to hit driver, 2-iron ala Ben Hogan in 1950? Over those two decades time the answer for today's longest players is at least 100 yards longer than it was when I originally asked the question. if you think that is a good place for golf course architecture to be, then I guess we simply disagree.
and for 20 years, smarter guys than me have consistently told me "this is the limit"
as you said--- "Bull"
An acceptance of much of the tech, oversized clubs, shaft lengths, etc. would be fine IF
they simply reset the ball and recognize it doesn't matter why(club size, technique,fitness etc.) it travels so far, but rather to reduce it for the elite, and all other things remain intact.
Manufacturers could still sell you clubs you don't need etc.
The inept reasoning I've seen on the distance insights project(limit to 46 inches(does nothing as no one plays 46 anyway), reduce driver size etc.) would just enough chaos and confusion for the idea to be scrapped.Asking a player to adjust to different sized drivers AND a ball would be too much, and the idea that larger head allows a harder swing is ONLY a theory(a well circulated one, but a theory). Pros hit the center of their tiny 3 woods, often with hugely aggressive swings.They are good, and don't miss the center often.I would even arge they would hit the center MORE often with a smaller club(aim small-miss small, but that also is just a theory)
Just further limit the BALL(one variable), and those on the cusp would have simply ONE adjustment to make(like playing at altitude)rather than several.
Most would bifurcate themselves out of ego or necessity.
Pro shops would still balls(both kinds) and clubs.(asking them to see 2 kinds of clubs would be a bridge too far)
In several years when for whatever reason courses get out of scale again, repeat.
Or... just keep building more tees and issue helmets for players and nearby homeowners, and coming up with other mindless NON scale addressing solutions like narrow fairways, deep rough(WF), and more trees(ANGC).....or enjoy your 6 hour walk at any modern course that has aspirations of being tournament relevant.