Would you play golf with an 80% ball?

Using some vintage golf balls found in an old golf bag which were "accurately" tested for distance, this video explores what it would be like playing with an extreme roll back golf ball that travels only 80% of the distance of a current ball!
The video references a previous video featuring Tom Reekie golf clubs.
Part 1 reviewing the clubs can be found here: • Some rare golf clubs a...
Part 2 testing the clubs on the course can be found here: • What can I score with ...
#golf #classicgolf #vintagegolf

[@stevesj80]

Nick. Great video. I agree. Clubs are now far to forgiving. Smaller heads and limited tech and lets see the skills.

[@eggy68]

Great work from CGC Labs. I'm so glad you put those time stamps at the beginning so I can use this as a reference. Enjoyable as always :)

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Here to help! 😉

[@christopherfranklin972]

Most enjoyable Nick! I am with you 100% as regards equipment and have said for years that Augusta National could have taken a lead and made use of a 'Masters' golf ball compulsory,a ball which replicated the distance,spin and flight characteristics of an 80's balata ball. I loved the scientific testing,those old 65's stood no chance ... Is your 'laboratory' signposted 'lavatory'?😀 I do like the look of your course,where is it and have you found any lost tribes of pygmies whilst scouring the bundu?😂

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

The Masters committee are a law unto themselves so if anyone could have made a stand, they could. My course is at Kilworth in Leicestershire.

[@TheCampsies]

The top balls when I took up golf in UK 1961 - Dunlop 65, Slazenger 279, Spalding Silver King, Wilson Staff, Penfold Ace. All 1.62 size, American brands not commo0nplace.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

I've always fancied playing a Penfold Patented which was their top ball for a while but you don't see many of those around. Dunlop 65s are quite easy to find, even still in their wrappers.

[@Deathmperor]

Shit probably do sometimes always find 5 or 6 more when mine ends up in the woods

[@julesdowner5585]

i am impressed with your ability to not buy more old clubs😂😂😂😂 i wish i had your resolve. I am off out to try a set of 'Stylist' irons , well they were £4.50

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Bargain! Is that the Goudie Stylist? First appeared in 1966.

[@robertakerson7186]

I look for softer golf balls anymore especially when using wooden clubs (for less chance of club damage). So it's good to see such balls evaluated. For me the golf club equipment race is over, so an 80% ball does not seem bad. Also I don't personally care about huge driver sizes ( but I don't mind seeing the pro golfers hitting prodigious distances without having to control their swings as much as they'd need to do with the old drivers)

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

The Pro game has almost become one-dimensional now though, apart from occasionally when they manage to get the course set-up right, but mostly it's just driver wedge/short iron, even on par fives sometimes! If I want to see the ball being blasted huge distance then I watch a long drive competition, I've no issues with those guys using whatever equipment they like, in fact it would be good if there were no equipment rules for them and then we could see exactly what the manufacturers could achieve if unrestricted.

[@Paul-cm7ie]

Like the points at the end. Major League Baseball hit with wooden bats. No one I know is asking they swing with bigger metal bats. The best golfers would still be the best

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Exactly, playing smaller drivers and true blades would make it even easier to identify the best players. Greg Norman was acknowledged as one of the greatest drivers during the persimmon age, but as soon as everyone switched to metal and oversized heads his advantage was gone.

[@graemetaylor4149]

Great science! I agree with you that the ball should be rolled back by more than 5% and also on the 200cc driver size limit. Breaks my heart to see classic courses having to be extended or remodelled to keep up with new technology - don't think that happens in any other sports? Bomb and gouge golf is like taking a roller and a bucket of emulsion to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and about as interesting!

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Great analogy, must remember that one.

[@wadepatton2433]

I already play hickories and "soft" balls anyway. The competitions I prefer are few, but all hickory, and one is local. I've not made it to a distant event yet. Otherwise I'm just "practicing" and working on my game. Methinks they should have slowed the balls down a bit already. It's all about selling product and ratings in the end I'm afraid.

[@mikesmith8100]

Golfing for decades in America. Got really bored with the distance focus so started golfing old blades and persimmon and sometimes hickories, Really way more interesting. Scored my best score with the old wilson blades. The old clubs have a great feel as opposed to modern clubs. Dislike the sound of the ti drivers and really, what garbage. I am a 230 driver with ti, 10 yards back with persimmon. High tech has created some ugly golf clubs. But heck, I'm a last century guy. Thanks for your work.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

I hear you brother!

[@wadepatton2433]

Yes I do well remember the ball Jack tried to sell. Oh-but I didn't know it was that ugly-never got to see one up close or in good photos. I always thought it was a good idea. But apparently Americans just aren't that practical with real estate or conservation (especially those many years ago). I wondered what happened to that project. I might never have seen a reduced yardage course, but could surely have used those balls to practice with longer clubs in a limited space--as could millions. Too bad Jack's ball didn't make it. I totally agree that they should restrict the equipment used by the professionals, but you have the entire golf sporting industry that will fight that tooth and nail because they MUST sell more new stuff to keep growing their profits. They simply use the professionals to market their stuff to the masses. HOW could they possibly sell Public Duffer these new balls and clubs that limit their performance? Perhaps they would need a new marketing scheme. Maybe the pros could still help them move their product despite having to play limited tech clubs/balls. In the end it's all Golf, but allowing technology and money to "obsolete" traditional golf courses and to create a "need" for longer ones is a bit ridiculous if you look at the big picture of humanity and sports. The problem lies in the bottom line. The corporations want money and the corporations usually get what they want (because they have great money and influence). I'm with you and Gary Player and all the rest who say arrest technology, at least for the professionals, and keep the game more traditional. And for that reason I'll be the idiot with hickories in his bag at the next event I attend (modern scramble). I just unpinned a recently acquired Stewart 1-iron that was likely made right at the turn of the century--124 years ago. It'll be back-in-service by tomorrow sometime. I'm leaving the original grip on it an the shaft is great. I use foam balls for distance-controlled practice now. I think Jack's ball would have been a bit more satisfying to hit, but then good ball flight tends to be satisfying in itself.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

You're spot on about the big companies running golf. Their marketing machines will never allow the ordinary golfer to think anything other than what they want them to think, and they hold the rules and regulation bodies to ransom if any move is made to bring the game back to a more reasonable level. I'm amazed that the 2028 ball roll back has got as far as it has, I guess that the pressure from established golfers is also adding to the argument. Play well with the Stewart 1 iron! I have a Stewart 2 iron but it's more likely a circa 1930 club.

[@julesdowner5585]

king Sonic wasn.t a punk band you were in in your youth was it?😂😂😂

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Could well have been, I have trouble remembering that far back though.

[@stevedriscoll2539]

Nick, I don't care too much what the USGA or the R&A or the PGA or any other governing body does because it won't affect my love for the game at all. I already quit watching alot of professional golf because I think they have about ruined that aspect of the game for me because of the obsession with distance and money. Pm

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

I like your philosophy Steve.