GolfDigest.com Groove Discussion, Vol. 2

More good stuff, especially about 7 minutes in when Paul Goydos starts talking about how "architects have gotten lazy" and how it takes imagination to design short holes that test all kinds of players.

Comments

[rule1:4]

Faxon's got it wrong,equipment didn't change because of architecture,it changed to make it easier to play golf,increase sales and make more money.They all seem to agree that hitting high shots,laying up to a yardage,and decreasing loft will help them score (Mickleson whiffing high lofted wedges that was funny),the rule will bring some shots back into the game for sure.As long as those bastards at callaway don't sue.

[Sir Real]

I'm not sure we can say Faxon's got it wrong; he seems to be addressing what influenced the game at the professional level. What he suggests had to factor in to some degree. I recall reading many comments from older pros talking about rock hard baked greens and firmer conditions being frequently played in the 50's and 60's.

There's certainly a lot to be said for the easier to hit clubs and profiteering mantra that accelerated to manic levels the last 20 years or so. Until the ball distance is dialed back...the problems of ruining the utility of some classic routings with excessive length, increased costs with more required maintanence and bomb and gouge will remain. Less is more makes sense in this case... as no game should continue to be abused and damaged merely to satisfy the unrealistic business greed of those in the industry.

[Rule 1:4]

Sir Real,I think the ball will be rolled back in a few years but right now the usga seems concerned with lawsuits and does not want to tackle the distance problem head on.The groove rule may be a small back door approach but it reinforces their authority to regulate the intent of a rule (rejection of callaways new wedges a case in point) We may see spring effect irons rolled back first,I dont know, but there are changes coming and the only people who seem against it are equipment makers

[Chuck]

Is it just me, or does Brad "Titleist Ambassador" Faxon have a thing about going after Jack "Roll back the golf ball" Nicklaus every chance he gets?

I remember all too well the time that Nicklaus' golf ball complaints came up in another discussion, and Faxon's rejoinder was that Jack never had an endorsement contract for a good golf ball... (!?)

[Chuck]

Proof of the above comment -- Brad Faxon, quoted at a Sports Illustrated roundtable discussion including David Fay and some guy named Geoff Shackelford:

"SI: Why is everybody talking about the ball? Deane Beman, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player -- they all say the ball needs to be rolled back in the pro game.

FAXON: If Jack Nicklaus had a successful ball, he would never say another word. But he's never sold a ball that's made a dime. There are so many other, more important things to worry about. Like allowing the putter to touch a part of your body other than your hands.... "

[Fo Shiz]

Just wondering, are those six of the ten Lee Trevinos that Goydos was talking about?