The pace of evolution is, of course, driven by technology. The USGA has recently made moves to slow down the use of new technologies in golf, for fear of advancements removing the challenge from the game. It is certainly changed from his day.
Modern clubs produce a high trajectory shot, which lands softly.
Today's golf balls are designed with high backspin ratios to help stop the ball when it lands. Players of the 20th century can, therefore, stop balls quickly on today's smooth and fast greens. It was definitely not always so. The very first balls were likely just rocks, or pebbles. Wooden golf balls were the first man made balls and may have been made of hardwoods.