How would modern equipment change Bobby Jones and Sam Snead

[revkev]

Most of us have seen videos and I actually got to see Sam Sneed play albeit when he was in his 70's.  (He broke his age in a Senior Tour event BTW)  Both had very long and flowing swings that were perfect for the equipment that they had at their disposal.  How would a fitter adapt modern equipment to their swings or would they have adapted themselves? 

 

I know but it's been a long day and I'm stuck inside planning two funerals.

[Undershooter]

As good as they were, they wouldve figured it out. I think they may have had to adjust a few things but at the end of the day, they were good at putting the ball in the hole.

[wbealsd]

They could beat me with a hockey stick.  They'd figure it out - lol

[jaskanski]

First off, sorry to hear about your recent loss.

 

I'd agree with the previous comments. 

As much as technology to golf components has advanced, combined the the ability to analyse those parameters to find the best "fit" - there is still no replacement for god given talent.

The likes of Jones, Snead, Hogan, Ballesteros etc. had this in spades and would probably had given anyone a run for their money with a set of garden tools, let alone a set of custom fitted clubs.

Interesting that given the advances in tech during his later years that Seve never really embraced the so-called performance gain on offer. It's easy to argue that his game was better with good old blades and persimmon for instance.

Today, it's a lot easier for the advances of tech to make up for what we all lack in talent - and I'm sad to say that I've seen a few professional games revolve around it - but for the time being, talent still trumps all and will continue to do so as long as humans are willing to put in as much as they are willing to get out.

[superduper]

Those guys don't need to adapt anything.  That's what fitting for.....  We would see an increase on their driver distance and their irons.... (irons lofts are weaker back then).   Plus the weight of the shafts are heavier back then.   Probably a small increase in swing speed....

[Kenny B]

If Jones and Snead, or any of the legends for that matter, had modern equipment, golf courses would have been lengthened waaaay before Tiger!

[sp0rtsfan86]

Here's the question how would they adapt to the courses today? It's much longer and the greens run a lot faster. I'm sure they'd figure it out the pro game. I'd imagine with the irons today they'd also shoot a lot lower because the stuff can be crafted specifically for them.

[revkev]

I agree that they would adapt but I don't know about much lower scores courses have changed too. There was something to be said for the art of the game. The modern ball all but eliminates working it and modern length makes reaching most par 5's in two a must. Back then it was a surprise when it happened.

[Kenny B]

I agree that they would adapt but I don't know about much lower scores courses have changed too. There was something to be said for the art of the game. The modern ball all but eliminates working it and modern length makes reaching most par 5's in two a must. Back then it was a surprise when it happened.

 

I find it's still a surprise when I do it.  

[mizuno_lover]

I'm sure modern equipment would have helped their games I don't think that their scores would have been dramatically lower though.  Perhaps over time the average score in their prime would have been lower and I tend to agree that the whole lengthening courses would have started earlier to Pro proof them.  I can't see the establishment allowing balls to travel much further because too many courses will be made redundant.  Back in his day Bobby Jones hit drives out to 300 yards, and there are videos online that show him doing it.  He just would have been able to do it easier and with more control then he did back then and I guess Slammin Sam would have been the same.  It was the yips that took Sam out wasn't it?  What's the cure for the yips?  Used to be long putters that they've made illegal now anyway and modern short putters aren't going to help in that department.

 

I must admit though I wish I could take a bunch of modern equipment back in time and fit all those legends of the game with modern equipment in their prime and see what the result was