When Nicklaus ruled the Masters

Just some thoughts on equipment. I could totally believe that you can hit a ball further with persimmon woods than the Calloway woods. Here is kinda the secret to length imo.

First you have to utilize all of the CORRECT muscles in your body at the right time. If you swing with all arms (im sure most amateurs have heard this before) the driver you use witll really not matter.

Second thing is having the correct clubs for you body/ swing. For instance if you 50 years old and using a stiff shaft or a metal shaft in your woods that is probably not helping you at all.

Lastly the ball is fairly important but not as much in my opinion. I hit the ball about 275 on average and with a rock DT titleist I only get about 5 more yards than the PRO V1 x I normally play. However even if the DT went 20 yards further I would not play it bc I have to have the soft ball coming in and around the greens.

Just some quick thoughts. If you want to hit the ball further and straighter than go to a golf pro and have him fit your swing with correct shafts and clubs. Might cost a little more but really to play better golf consistantly is worth it.

Good thread, even for those who don't follow golf very closely.

I have a vivid memory of watching the Masters in 1986 when Nicklaus was waiting to see if his lead would hold.  As Ballesteros was readying on 15, I muttered to myself, "Put it in the f***in' lake, Seve," which of course he did.

the increase intechnology and ball flight more than makes up for quicker (but truer) greens.

1:)  Probably the greaterst full golf shot in history is Nicklaus 1 Iron at bebble beach follwed closely by his 1 iron at Balturul.  Niether Tiger nor any pro today could hit that shot-  thye don't swing 1 irons- they don't need to-  they barely swing an iron above a 5  in general and even less frequently use a 4 or3-5 iron on their approach shots!

2:)  Making or missing putts at that level is mostly desire and internal will/ not being afraid of success.  Kicklaus knocked the crap out of those puts because that is what the green required, and since they greens were less true, you needed speed to keep the ball on line.  Faster greens for those players would be a significantly easier adjustment than today's players having to hit 200+ yard approach shots with long irons and balls that have a history of curving even when struck perfectly.

3:)  I would much rather hit a wedge or 9 iron into a faster green than hit a 4 or 5 iron into a slower green, and I don't have the ability to spin the ball.  with that ability, the green speed ends up helping these guys as much as it hurts them.