For sure, a lot of the difference is made up with the ability to play and practice more.
Where the technology boundaries exist between the differences of playing more and better equipment?
Who knows.
But, the player in me will always suggest that being more active, playing more, practicing more, will most always take the lion's share of the credit over technology is it relates to better scoring and execution.
And I say that as a former fan of playing/practicing on a regular basis, and a current fan of the bigger, more forgiving club faces and 4-pc balls to make up for the latter.