[psheehan]

What I think gets lost in all this current day distance discussion is that while people hit it further they do so without any real increase in swing speed. I saw a TGC show in the mid/late 90's that was discussing John Daly... they measured his swing speed at 141 at the time. Jack Nicklaus said "that is similar to mine when I was younger" he said he was around 140 if he swung full out. I have a tape at home of the McLean analysis of Hogan (pre TGM days) and in it McLean says Hogan's swing was measured using the video frames and estimated to be around 136. What was Snead... certainly at least that. Jack, Sam and Ben were using 43 inch drivers with steel shafts. I find it hard to believe that with today's equipment and balls they wouldn't be as long as today's longer players.

I believe Gary Players comment is very interesting. What would happen if the current crop of players had to work the ball. I'm guessing the answer would be the best would adapt and some of the others would be working at shoetown....but I think it is naive to assume that the distance achieved today comes from something physical that was lacking in players from previous years. I'm 59 and I hit it as far as I did when I was 20 fercryinoutloud.....because the ball and the clubs I use are very different then the stuff I had when I was 20.

Personally, I think the game was different when I was younger..not better, not worse ... just different. But the great players... whether it be Alan Robertson, young Tom, Vardon, Walter H, Bobby Jones, Sarazen,Hogan, Nelson, Snead, Jack, Arnie, Player, Trevino,Watson, or Woods... would be great players if they were playing with rocks and sticks. They'd just figure out a way to beat you, even if the game is different.