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Dean weighs in on the Distance Debate
February 26, 2020 0 min read 17 Comments
17 Responses
Bruce Gemmill
March 10, 2020
Great educational explication of the age old distance issues.
Bill Tatu
March 10, 2020
Every avid golfer should watch this video. Dean Snell is spot on.
Darrell Santos
March 10, 2020
Outstanding commentary!
Keith DuBois
March 10, 2020
I agree with everything Dean said. And don’t build courses with sand traps right in the front of the green. Let the regular golfer have a chance at running it up. Love the MBT Black.
Chuck Venskus
March 10, 2020
Excellent discussion and analysis. I think Dean Snell is right on! Don’t ruin the game for everyone else because the long hitters can hit longer due to the many reasons he described. I remember many years ago Jack Nicklaus was advocating for a golf ball that was really short (like drives would go around 100 yards or so). That way golf courses could be a great deal shorter using less real estate, but people would still be playing golf. That went over like a lead balloon! Like all popular sports, people identify with and follow them because they once played them or currently play them like the pros do but not nearly as well. So what if they’re not as good! They still want to try to be like a poor man’s Dustin Johnson, or Tiger Woods. It’s fun and that’s what keeps them coming back.
Joe Fenlon
March 10, 2020
Excellent explanation by Dean Snell and I totally agree. Make the tour courses softer with higher rough and fairways and tuck the pins.
Scores will go up.
DALE BETTY
March 10, 2020
Well stated. Clear, understandable and to the point with reference to some undeniable facts.
Andy Shott
March 10, 2020
Awesome video and very educational for us average Joe golfers.I’m on our club’s Greens Committee and I’m definitely sharing it with them.
Mark Vansickle
March 10, 2020
Agree with Mr Snells comments regarding course set ups, grass conditions, hazards placements and pin locations as was to create balance between the “bombers “ of golf and the precision players. Historically the longest hitters have always held the advantage provided they good keep it in the fairway and make a putter two.
niles selden
March 10, 2020
this is the most common sense approach that has come out. kudos to dean snell maybe somebody might pay attention
John
March 10, 2020
Very interesting. Agree completely.
Wayne Lucht
March 10, 2020
Thanks Dean. Great analysis. I have long believed that course set-up is the primary factor in how a person scores against par, which I’m sure you’ll agree, is the only true measure for amateur players As I have gotten older I have enjoyed taking advantage of the manufacturers mechanical changes to the equipment. However, at 77 years I don’t expect to drive the ball like the tour players. What I do expect is a course that is consistent
day to day and hole to hole, which then allows me to control my game better to give me lower scores. By the by, last season at 76 years I was able to shot a neat 72 because the greens, fairway and rough were all cut for the member/guest tournament starting the next day. That certainly makes your point. Keep up the good work.
Wayne
FRANK KLAUSER
March 10, 2020
Totally agree about the courses. I will not watch a tournament where the winning score is going to be 20+ under par. I love the U.S. Open because it doesn’t discriminate on the type of player you are. Like to see players that position themselves on the course to be able to make PAR. My favorite course is Merion. Ernie Els said before the recent U.S. Open that the course was too short and at that time wet. The players would surely embarass it. Guess what, even par won. (Justin Rose).
Buck Buckner
March 10, 2020
That was the most logical comments I have heard in regard to an illogical perceived problem. Thank you Dean.
Damian Tryjankowski
March 10, 2020
Thanks for some thoughtful comments and insights. Most non-pro golfers appreciate the skill of the professional player. It’s not just distance, it’s all aspects of their game. If we could putt like they can, we could lower our scores more than a few more yards on our drives. If our approach shots were 20 feet or less from the pin instead of 30 feet, we could again impact our game more than distance. Therefore, I believe that the best way to make professionals more like us is to make mandatory 19th hole participation by all pros. Further, if the caddies had to carry only 6-packs of beer instead of any water, we would again level the playing field even more.
Alan Stone
March 10, 2020
I agree with you on the course set up. It is ridiculous that the ball is rolling 30, 40 or 50 yards. Where I disagree is your statement on equipment. Ball and club manufacturers are already making balls and clubs that only pros can get. Some pros use “prototype” irons. They also get balls with more spin than that is available. I have also read that if a player likes a previous version of a ball the manufacturer will make that for the player. So it is not about cost for the manufacturer as long as a pro uses their product they will make money.
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Dennis
March 10, 2020
All I can say is you said it as well as it can be said. Great explanation of the evolution of the ball, equipment, fitness and golf course set up. Let’s hope the USGA et al can reason the solution the same way.