I think the distance the ball was being hit, especially on the 18th hole, not just by one player but by many players, opened the eyes. The new balls have moved the game up for the professionals probably by . . . We re now seeing balls that are flying further, and still with spin control. If one was happy about how far the ball was going two or three years ago, he said, one might not be so happy now in the pro game. Dawson also conceded that it was more than technology that is allowing players to find parts of the course older generations only dreamed about.
Players are bigger and stronger, and that s a factor in increased distance.
This is really a bit of a Tour phenomenon, he said. These golfers are bigger, they re stronger, they re training harder, and they re coached. So there s a physical angle to how far the ball is flying as well as a technology angle. However, Dawson said many of today s championship courses are in danger of becoming obsolete if players continue to propel the ball farther. I think if it s drive, wedge, drive, wedge, and players are not being tested through the bag with long irons, then that s something we have to think about.