Golf in 2050

[fixyurdivot]

Watching yesterdays finishing round and being really astounded by the caliber of play, got me to thinking about where the game is heading in years to come.  The level of technology improvements in the past couple of decades alone combined with notable shift in players physique is, seemingly, making the game too easy.  

 

In several threads we've discussed what might be changed to keep the courses on pace with the players.  As memory serves, we haven't come to consensus on that.  So as golf equipment keeps advancing and more players start looking like a DJ, Koepka, Woodland, and Woods, what does our sport look like in the decades to come?

 

I wonder if the USGA has a "think tank" group that ponders this?  Throttle in one hand and a brake in the other I should think.

[Shankster]

850 yard Par 5's.

[tony@CIC]

New drivers that'll only add 5 yds in spite of the marketing hype.

 

 

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[perseveringgolfer]

cameras on the ball to 'see the flight' using your holo phone....plus you'll never lose it as the holo phone shows where it is in the trees/rough etc

 

hover carts for silently cruising the fairways with no damage to a blade of grass.

 

Virtual reality beer girls or guys depending on your preference and what button you clicked at the R&R station.

 

A holographic caddy that tells you all you need to know about what club to use, what line to putt all by clicking the app on your holo phone.

 

Every shot you took is recorded and you can play it back on your 4D surround TV and stand beside yourself while you watch the replay of that career drive or eagle putt. (you heard that hear first shotscope )

[NiftyNiblick]

2050? 

 

This is definitely a thread that doesn't apply to me.

[fixyurdivot]

New drivers that'll only add 5 yds in spite of the marketing hype.

 

 

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Isn't that current reality? 

 

cameras on the ball to 'see the flight' using your holo phone....plus you'll never lose it as the holo phone shows where it is in the trees/rough etc

 

hover carts for silently cruising the fairways with no damage to a blade of grass.

 

Virtual reality beer girls or guys depending on your preference and what button you clicked at the R&R station.

 

A holographic caddy that tells you all you need to know about what club to use, what line to putt all by clicking the app on your holo phone.

 

Every shot you took is recorded and you can play it back on your 4D surround TV and stand beside yourself while you watch the replay of that career drive or eagle putt. (you heard that hear first shotscope )

 

I nominate you for the USGA think tank board.

 

2050? 

 

This is definitely a thread that doesn't apply to me.

 

Well, that goes for me as well in all likelihood, but I'm still curious what the game might look like then.

[Kenny B]

I certainly won't be here, but I want to see the pros hit it further.  Drive every par 4, I don't care.  Shoot 54.  Why can't someone birdie every hole?  Players today get on birdie runs - 6, 7 in a row.  Someone has to have that extraordinary round like we get once in a while, except on the pro level. It took a long time from the first 59 score to the second one, but since then many 59's and a 58.  I think 54 is within reach within 30 years.

[revkev]

Whose getting better?

 

Touring pros - not us. Even there I'm not sure it's true - golf, like all sports, is different. Different doesn't mean better or worse - just different. Add 10 mph of wind and no rain and the winning score goes to -10 pronto at this week's tournament -

 

The game will continue to evolve - but what does that mean? Just more different and the average golfer will still shoot bogey.

 

But the game could become more fun for the average player, a chip in the ball so that it's not lost - self driving individual carts that take you ( not me - I'll be gone and in heaven) to your ball and hand you the proper club (you'll immediately put it away and reach for one less and that's why the average player will still shoot bogey)

 

It's no where near the crises that people are making it out to be. It's just evolving.

 

 

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[NiftyNiblick]

... self driving individual carts that take you ( not me - I'll be gone and in heaven) to your ball ...

 

That's why you have to give me at least six on each side, Rev....There's no beating confidence.

[EthanSterlingPrice]

Golfspy gets recognized as the lead source of info for the golf industry with help of staff members like BionicBarbajo and company.

 

 

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[GolfSpy MPR]

I really like this topic, especially as it relates to the Tour level. On this, I agree entirely with RevKev: we amateurs are likely to continue to play at roughly the same level we always have. But speculation about how Tour golf will change fascinates me.

 

Let me take a detour, and then come back to the subject at hand. I was talking to my son the other day about how impressive it was for BK to have won three majors, and how few guys have won more than a couple. We pulled up the list of multiple major winners, and it was striking how many on the list are from a previous era in golf.

 

My contention is that you can say what you want about (for instance) Jack versus Tiger, but it is not seriously disputable that the 40th rank player today is much stronger than the 40th ranked player back in the day. There are reasons for this. Golf is likely more accessible than it was back in the day (though there remains room for improvement). The money in golf expanded tremendously in the era of Jack/Arnold, and then again exponentially with Tiger. This draws more prime athletes to the sport. We see this with the Wilson major pick'em contests: the Tier 5 guys were awesome this last week. So many guys can win a tournament, even a major, that winning multiple majors against these fields is really impressive.

 

This brings me to where I think we'll see golf go by 2050. I think the top guys have room to get better. And if trends continue, the field will continue to get even stronger.

 

First, with reference to the top guys, I always interested in this question: how likely is it that the potential world's greatest golfer is even playing golf? Consider basketball: in this country, it is almost certain that if a person has basketball talent, he will get a chance to play and be discovered. This is due to the ease of access and to the financial incentives: if you can play, you'll get paid.

 

I don't think the same is true of golf, chiefly because so many fewer people ever begin to play. And his last web.com Tour round notwithstanding, I think Steph Curry illustrates why we might have considerable room for even more astonishing golf performances than what we've already seen in Tiger, et al. Curry hardly practices, compared to the average web.com guy. And yet he beats several of them, and hangs in the tournaments he's been invited to play.

 

How many guys like that are there in this country? Freak athletes who, if devoted to golf, might entirely change what we think is possible on a golf course? I think the top end of golf can be raised, not be equipment (which should be capped out), but by better and better athletes being drawn to the sport.

 

Second, with reference to the field, I think that even absent the superathletes (like Curry), the general athleticism of the upcoming generation of Tour players are going to raise the level of golf across the board. On the plus side, this will give us some really great golf to watch. On the downside, it will mean that an era of super-dominance by a single player is more unlikely.

[fixyurdivot]

I really like this topic, especially as it relates to the Tour level. On this, I agree entirely with RevKev: we amateurs are likely to continue to play at roughly the same level we always have. But speculation about how Tour golf will change fascinates me.

 

Let me take a detour, and then come back to the subject at hand. I was talking to my son the other day about how impressive it was for BK to have won three majors, and how few guys have won more than a couple. We pulled up the list of multiple major winners, and it was striking how many on the list are from a previous era in golf.

 

My contention is that you can say what you want about (for instance) Jack versus Tiger, but it is not seriously disputable that the 40th rank player today is much stronger than the 40th ranked player back in the day. There are reasons for this. Golf is likely more accessible than it was back in the day (though there remains room for improvement). The money in golf expanded tremendously in the era of Jack/Arnold, and then again exponentially with Tiger. This draws more prime athletes to the sport. We see this with the Wilson major pick'em contests: the Tier 5 guys were awesome this last week. So many guys can win a tournament, even a major, that winning multiple majors against these fields is really impressive.

 

This brings me to where I think we'll see golf go by 2050. I think the top guys have room to get better. And if trends continue, the field will continue to get even stronger.

 

First, with reference to the top guys, I always interested in this question: how likely is it that the potential world's greatest golfer is even playing golf? Consider basketball: in this country, it is almost certain that if a person has basketball talent, he will get a chance to play and be discovered. This is due to the ease of access and to the financial incentives: if you can play, you'll get paid.

 

I don't think the same is true of golf, chiefly because so many fewer people ever begin to play. And his last web.com Tour round notwithstanding, I think Steph Curry illustrates why we might have considerable room for even more astonishing golf performances than what we've already seen in Tiger, et al. Curry hardly practices, compared to the average web.com guy. And yet he beats several of them, and hangs in the tournaments he's been invited to play.

 

How many guys like that are there in this country? Freak athletes who, if devoted to golf, might entirely change what we think is possible on a golf course? I think the top end of golf can be raised, not be equipment (which should be capped out), but by better and better athletes being drawn to the sport.

 

Second, with reference to the field, I think that even absent the superathletes (like Curry), the general athleticism of the upcoming generation of Tour players are going to raise the level of golf across the board. On the plus side, this will give us some really great golf to watch. On the downside, it will mean that an era of super-dominance by a single player is more unlikely.

 

Great thoughts on the subject!  I tend to think equipment technology will continue to advance and help players at all levels.  I'm simply basing this on our history; if there is profit to be made, it will be pursued. Concerning your last statement, I view not having "an era of super dominance by a single player" as a good thing.  I like seeing a larger percentage of the field contending for wins on any given week.  

[geez2323]

I think one of the main contributors to the increased distance and athleticism we see now is these guys are athletes. They work out hard and are stronger and faster then the previous generation of tour pros. They have a trainer, dietitian, swing coach, short game coach, physical therapist, and mental coach. They are machines that eat and sleep Golf and preparation to play golf. Yes the club and ball tech has greatly improved, but they still have to generate the speed to hit the ball as far as they do. Sport specific fitness and training has boomed over the last decade, not just in golf. Look at the average NFL linemen from the 70s and 80s compared to today's player, so much bigger and faster. I think technology club wise can only go so far, honestly how much yardage club wise have we gained in the last 5 years or so. The ball has great improvements, probably the biggest contributor to distance equipment wise. With the restrictions on COR and the ball it is the athlete that will improve to make the gains in distance. Technology with track man and cameras have also helped with getting everything dialed in for peak performance for each club.

 

 

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[excourse]

It will be as different in 2050 as it is today from 1950. Which is not a heck of a lot different then 1850.

Mother nature will always be the great equalizer.

 

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[bullldog]

Wont be around to see any of it

[ole gray]

Wo t be around to see any of it

 

I'll be a 100 years old with more parts replaced than a studerbaker. . The young guys won't have a clue what a studerbaker is ...

 

 

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[NiftyNiblick]

I'll be a 100 years old with more parts replaced than a studerbaker. . The young guys won't have a clue what a studerbaker is ...

 

 

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I've put on too much weight for Studerbaker parts.

They'd be scouring the junk yards for Packards.

[fixyurdivot]

In 2050, cell phone distractions will no longer be an issue.  By then the sport will sound like a NFL, NBA, or MLB playoff game.  Chorus cries, grandstand stomping, and catchy tunes on the loudspeakers in between drives and putts will be commonplace. I hope I'm pushing up daisy's before ever having to witness it. 

[MDGolfHacker]

Watching yesterdays finishing round and being really astounded by the caliber of play, got me to thinking about where the game is heading in years to come.  The level of technology improvements in the past couple of decades alone combined with notable shift in players physique is, seemingly, making the game too easy.  

 

In several threads we've discussed what might be changed to keep the courses on pace with the players.  As memory serves, we haven't come to consensus on that.  So as golf equipment keeps advancing and more players start looking like a DJ, Koepka, Woodland, and Woods, what does our sport look like in the decades to come?

 

I wonder if the USGA has a "think tank" group that ponders this?  Throttle in one hand and a brake in the other I should think.

 

Golf will be non-existent in 2050....because the aliens will be coming in 2049 to conquer the earth.....ha ha ha    

 

MDGolfHacker 

[TheWahoo]

In 2050, I can only hope that those of you still around will remember me well.   I trust that I will be playing some heavenly courses.  I've got to believe that there are dogs and golf courses in heaven, because without them it just wouldn't be heaven. 

[Kenny B]

In 2050, I can only hope that those of you still around will remember me well.   I trust that I will be playing some heavenly courses.  I've got to believe that there are dogs and golf courses in heaven, because without them it just wouldn't be heaven. 

 

I wonder what golf in heaven will be like.  Will a bogey golfer be a bogey golfer in heaven?  Will we all be scratch players?  I think we still need a challenge, but playing on heavenly courses would be nice.

[fixyurdivot]

Golf will be non-existent in 2050....because the aliens will be coming in 2049 to conquer the earth.....ha ha ha  

 

MDGolfHacker 

 

I wonder if any of them are already MGS's? 

[PING Apologist #9]

Golf in 2050? Doubt I'll be around, but dammit, shouldn't there be more freakin' lasers!!!

 

INSERT FAVORITE LASER VIDEO HERE:

 

[GB13]

I wonder if any of them are already MGS's?

I have contacted the mothership. The invasion shall begin.

Oh my talk to text was on... Abort! Abort!

[PING Apologist #9]

I have contacted the mothership. The invasion shall begin.

Oh my talk to text was on... Abort! Abort!

LMFAO!!!!        

[tony@CIC]

Mental telepathy will be a normal communication method. That way the crowds at tour events won't strain their vocal cords yelling 'dilly dilly' and 'in the hole'

 

 

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[PING Apologist #9]

Mental telepathy will be a normal communication method. That way the crowds at tour events won't strain their vocal cords yelling 'dilly dilly' and 'in the hole'

 

 

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Heh... "Dilly freakin' Dilly" !!!! Too funny!!!!

[Trout Bum 1]

Man I have no idea what it will be like but if I took a guess I'd say it's going to be a lot less popular, new metals, longer courses and outrageous fees will drive away the normal folks, the land will probably be more valuable for the housing we'll need so there will be fewer courses too.

 

No matter what it does, it will be interesting to watch it develop

[tony@CIC]

I wonder what golf in heaven will be like.  Will a bogey golfer be a bogey golfer in heaven?  Will we all be scratch players?  I think we still need a challenge, but playing on heavenly courses would be nice.

Golf in heaven will be boring because we'll be acing every hole.

[Angry Yeti]

Course management changes interest me the most. Will there ever be an artificial surface for greens (and beyond)? Imagine having the ability to change more than hole placement from day to day, adding a ridge for Sunday play or a nasty run-off on the back side. Will there be faster ways to replace/fix divots or course damage? With some of the crop manipulation techniques developed for farming transfer to the stuff used on courses? 

 

Can cyborgs play? Yes, I'm saying by 2050 people will have the ability to add non-organic peripherals. Not saying we'll have terminators walking around, but with some of the current artificial appendage developments I find it hard to believe they won't be refined 30 years from now.