Technology in golf
29/03/18 19:05 Filed in: Technology in golf
How much has technology affected our game?
I was looking through my list of golf courses in Scotland and noticed the Hickory golf course at Hill of Tarvit near Cupar, Fife.
This made me think about the changes in the technology of golf over the years and, in particular, question whether courses have advanced in line with the technology.
Looking back to the days of hickory shafts is a bit of a stretch (1930s) but if we concentrate on the period from the 1980s we can see some useful trends.
From a quick look at the stats, I see that in 1980 an average drive by a PGA pro was slightly under 260 yards. By 1993 the range had increased by roughly 3 yards (260 yards) and in the following 10 years (2003) it had gone up to 287yards.
This big increase up to 2003 seems to be the result of major technological development in drivers and golf balls. A limit was put on the COR (co-oefficient of restitution) of drivers in 1999 and on 3 piece balls in 2003. Since then there has been a much smaller increase in driving distance. Less than 5 yards.
Another potential factor is the increase in core body strength of the golfers and thus their ability to swing the club faster. However I discount this as a major factor for several reasons.
Firstly, the golf swing is based around the principle of levers and physics doesn't change over the years. Secondly, the increase in core strength has meant that more golfers are maximising their swing speed rather than the swing speed getting faster. Thirdly, the increase in driving distance on the LPGA tour mirrors that of the PGA tour. These suggest that it is indeed the technology that made the difference.
**It is better to be fit for golf so keep doing the exercises**
When you consider that a lot of golf courses have been around for over 100 years the basic conclusion from this short piece is that the technology of our equipment means that many courses are not as difficult as they once were.
I will pontificate on the redesign of courses in a future piece.
This made me think about the changes in the technology of golf over the years and, in particular, question whether courses have advanced in line with the technology.
Looking back to the days of hickory shafts is a bit of a stretch (1930s) but if we concentrate on the period from the 1980s we can see some useful trends.
From a quick look at the stats, I see that in 1980 an average drive by a PGA pro was slightly under 260 yards. By 1993 the range had increased by roughly 3 yards (260 yards) and in the following 10 years (2003) it had gone up to 287yards.
This big increase up to 2003 seems to be the result of major technological development in drivers and golf balls. A limit was put on the COR (co-oefficient of restitution) of drivers in 1999 and on 3 piece balls in 2003. Since then there has been a much smaller increase in driving distance. Less than 5 yards.
Another potential factor is the increase in core body strength of the golfers and thus their ability to swing the club faster. However I discount this as a major factor for several reasons.
Firstly, the golf swing is based around the principle of levers and physics doesn't change over the years. Secondly, the increase in core strength has meant that more golfers are maximising their swing speed rather than the swing speed getting faster. Thirdly, the increase in driving distance on the LPGA tour mirrors that of the PGA tour. These suggest that it is indeed the technology that made the difference.
**It is better to be fit for golf so keep doing the exercises**
When you consider that a lot of golf courses have been around for over 100 years the basic conclusion from this short piece is that the technology of our equipment means that many courses are not as difficult as they once were.
I will pontificate on the redesign of courses in a future piece.