User talk:Dpowe

Technology in golf has grown in leaps and bounds since the begining of the game. When golf was first created sheep herders would use their walking sticks as clubs, sheep droppings as balls and rabbit holes as the golf holes. In todays game technology is most often linked to the larger drivers and better golf balls, but probibly the most important aspect of increasing technology in golf is the upkeep of the courses. Even when Jack Nickalus and Palmer played they were not playing on the type of courses that you see on TV today. The greens are pool tables extremely fast but with no bumps or marks on them, the fairways resemble greens in the years past, and not to mention leghtening of the courses making them harder and longer than ever. You can pose the argument that new technology in clubs has created the new style courses which are 7400 yards long, and it is a very valid one. "Tiger Proofing" golf courses is a common term after Tiger's historical career which means it is much longer and much narrower to bring the heavy hitters back with the rest of the field. Titanium Drivers, Graphite shafts, balatta balls and the new courses all are related to each other. THe new technology in clubs has made the game of golf much more enjoyable for your average player because it takes more skill out of the swing and lets the lighter, larger driver do the work for you. While the increasing technology may help all golfers play better, it is relative because of the longer courses and quicker greens. Technology in golf is actually becoming a concern for the USGA (United States Golf Association) and the PGA (Professional Golfers Association). In the rules of golf there are specifications on equiptment to ensure that no one receives an unfair advantage and the integrity of the game is intact. The drivers on the market keep getting bigger and lighter and the balls keep flying farther and there will come a time where technology is too advanced and there is not enough land to make the courses long enough to keep up with the professional players. The newest debate that the USGA and PGA are contemplating are having two regulations for equiptment one for the professionals and one for the amatures similar to college baseball and professional baseball with wooden bats and aluminum. The professionals would be playing equiptment not as advanced as the amature players because there is not enough land to expand the courses on tour, and the everyday golfers would be able to benefit from advanced technology and enjoy their rounds more. The decesion is not going to be made anytime in the near future, but technology has helped the game progress and could actually hinder the rules that are in place.