Jacklin hits out at 'predictable' golf

Reuters - Fri, 30 Oct 23:01:00 2009

Tony Jacklin, a twice Major winner and four-time European Ryder Cup captain, believes golf has become too predictable and the excellence of world number one Tiger Woods disguises the problems with the game.

Tony Jacklin - 0

"The ball is predictable, the equipment is predictable, the greens are better and so more predictable," Jacklin said in an interview with Golf World magazine.

"The game has lost the unpredictability it had say 40 years ago. Galleries and people are pummelled with advertising these days so they get used to stuff and it seems easy to convince them everything is all right."

Jacklin, who won the 1969 British Open and 1970 US Open, drew a parallel between golf and the global economic downturn.

"Maybe it will be different when something has to be done but by then it may be too late," said the 65-year-old Briton, who now lives in the United States.

"It is a bit like the financial mess the world is in. For too long no one wanted to address the underlying problems in the world economy then all of a sudden it was too late.

"No one wants to believe the game today is not as good as it was. Tiger disguises a lot of the problems.

"It will take strong leadership but men like that are few and far between. Those in control at the moment can't seem to get anything done," he added.

Jacklin, who led Europe to two Ryder Cup victories and a tie in four spells as skipper between 1983-89, was particularly critical of the United States Golf Association and the R&A, which governs golf in all countries except the US and Mexico.

"I'm not sure the R&A and the USGA are properly shouldering the responsibility they have," said the Englishman. "They seem happy to let things go the way they are going and the manufacturers have a responsibility too.

"I don't accept that nothing can be done about the ball and how far it goes. The tours could make a decision on what players can use and do it that way."

Jacklin was also scathing about the increasing length of modern layouts.

"They (officials) seem happy to keep on playing 7,600-yard courses that cost more to maintain and take forever to play," he said. "The length of time it takes to play now is the biggest problem.

"Who the hell wants to take five hours plus to play 18 holes? Not me."

Reuters

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  1. I do not believe that golf is predictable for if so­ Tiger Woods might win every game he plays. I agree that­ modern professionals are much bigger and stronger and­ perhaps the equipment they use provides advantages that­ players in the past did not benefit from. I do think­ that players receive too much money and many of the top­ players receive huge income from merely turning up to­ play a tournament.

    From WILLIAM, on Sun 1 Nov 6:18PM

  2. Totally agree with Tony Jacklin,golf equipment today­ spoils the game it's all about power and­ length,borring.
    Ladies golf is nicer to watch their­ swings far more natural plus as an added bonus their­ beauty !!!!!!
    I wonder how the modern day Pros would­ get on with the old wooden headed drivers and woods­ plus the small ball,far more skill needed in the old­ days.

    From ARTHUR R, on Sat 31 Oct 6:55PM

  3. I remember a few years ago playing Fota Island two­ weeks after the Pro's played the Irish Open there. ­ The course was still manicured to please the Pro's­ and one of the Par 3's had to be changed because­ the 'so called' Pro's could not see the­ bottom of the 'pin' and complained like­ hell.

    They 'should' play course that are a­ challenge, however, especially in USA, the course are­ tricked up to please the Pro's and those who watch­ the game.

    I dislike seeing scores of -24 when in fact­ it should be - 5 or -6 at the best. Far too easy and­ boring to watch. My opinion only.

    From bobby, on Sat 31 Oct 5:28PM

  4. As the USGA have proved in the past, it only takes a­ reduction in fairway width and slightly longer rough to­ bring the golf back to what the rest of us play. How­ many times have you seen a course that you know "­ tricked up " so that the pro's look good. ­ Surely they know that we do not play the same courses­ as them and that is what we want to see.
    Good on you­ Tony for speaking out but in a world where the feelings­ and the wage packets of the pro's and there agents­ are put before the sport it will, I am sure, be a lone­ voice in the wilderness,

    richphill

    From RICHARD, on Sat 31 Oct 7:36AM
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