Expert: Skip Ward - 2/8/2005

Question
In your opinion do you think that the advances in golf technology has taken the skill out of the game. would the modern pro's be able to play a respectable game of golf if they did not have the clubs of today and were using clubs from the early 80's  

Answer
Dear Joel...thanks for the question.  I would be lying a bit if I didn't say I think that tech has hindered the "real" game some.  Incidentally though, no one has an advantage over another, because everyone has access to the same stuff.  I think the pros that are pros today would still be the pros even if the tech had not changed, however the scores would likely be higher.  None of this 24 under par for 4 rounds of golf.  What it really interesting to speculate on is what would the old time shotmakers have done in their prime with today's tech?  Guys like Trevino, Floyd, Geiberger, and of course Nicklaus, Watson, and Player.  No one even hits a one-iron any more...Ben Hogan used 2-3 times a round.  Can you imagine his skills with today's equipment!??!  Something we'll never know.  Good luck and remember...

Love the game,
Skipper