scotts33 In the article Faldo says back in the day with persimmon there were 10 great drivers of the ball not every PGA pro. Now there are 10 poor drivers of the ball. I think that was Faldo's point.

But that's with persimmon and balata. The balata ball was probably more responsible then the persimmon. He's not suggesting we go back to balata so I don't think smaller drivers will make much difference for pros.

    garyt1957 Nobody said they're all at 10.5, but 9 is nowhere near 6*

    Rory's driver in 2017: TaylorMade 2017 M2 (8.5 degrees at 8.25 degrees). See the trend Gary. It's the design of the face of the M5/M6 then the Sim.

        scotts33 Rory's driver in 2017: TaylorMade 2017 M2 (8.5 degrees at 8.25 degrees). See the trend Gary. It's the design of the face of the M5/M6 then the Sim.

        ?? Right so now he's up to 9. So the trend is more loft, again no one is going towards 6

          Rickochet

          I highly doubt that gutta percha balls are returning any time soon so that isn't a logical option.

          Banning the driver is an option.
          3 wood distance stats compiled by Trackman show on average 3 wood carry distance is 32 yards less than the driver. IMO, This would be an ideal reduction to apply to the field although I believe that a tour ball would be the choice over no tee if it came down to it. No tee would by far be the easiest, simplest and most immediate change

              scotts33
              I was speaking of the 3 woods.
              The USGA would eventually have to change the rule if the pros started ditching drivers, I assume.
              Distance would still be priority 1 for these guys so no tee would mean they ditch driver, imo, and join Stenson.
              Stenson would be saying "knulla mig katten är ur väskan nu"

                Weirfan
                Assuming that the pros would not lengthen their 3 woods, which would, in theory, close the distance gap between driver and 3 wood in the stats posted.
                They would also practice more with them than they do today.
                JMO

                    Weirfan 3 wood distance stats compiled by Trackman show on average 3 wood carry distance is 32 yards less than the driver.

                    I imagine if they had no driver they could close the gap between 3 wood and driver quite a bit. They're hitting 3 wood for accuracy now, if they needed it for more distance they'd go to lower lofted fairway woods with different designs for distance.

                        garyt1957

                        Sure , one can also make the argument that pros aren't swinging full and for max distance many times with the driver either.

                        low lofted (13*) 3 woods already exist now...... hitting off the deck will never give the spin and launch variables and distances that off a tee does. Some guys will still hit it 300 off the deck with a 3 wood but they are the ones who routinely hit it 330+ with their driver .

                        I don't think the PGA will ever use Faldo's idea, but if reducing distances is a goal of the Associations and Tours, it would be a cheap and easy thing to do

                            Spuzz

                            perhaps a rule maximizing length of the 3 wood like they have with the driver. Again, I don't see the no tee thing being adopted, while there might be idle talk, I don't even think there are any serious discussions taking place about changing the game to reduce distance ongoing so expect status quo for the next 5-10 years at least

                              Weirfan low lofted (13*) 3 woods already exist now.

                              I have no idea but I doubt many pros are using 13* 3 woods. They don't want their 3 wood going as far or close to their driver. But if they had no driver they would. Then you'd see a change. Probably even 12* fairway drivers, etc. They'd cut that 32 yard gap somehow.

                                  garyt1957
                                  I like to look at the pro WITB over at the other site and it seems that at least half of the men have 3 woods that are stronger then 15°.

                                    It probably won't happen, but it is an interesting idea. If the pros can't tee it high and let it fly they would likely need a 2 wood, mini driver or whatever to get the most out of the situation. It certainly is easy to implement.

                                    Spuzz lol, I read the other thread and now get it....two Austin Powers references in a day.....yeah baby! Mine was poking fun at "Sir" Nick.

                                      azgreg This whole argument is ridicules when the obvious answer, if you are truly interested of restricting yardage, is the ball.

                                      Agree with you, Nicklaus, etc..They could spec the ball tightly and then let various manufacturers 'brand' them
                                      so that the 'pros' could do their marketing/sponsorship/branding schtick versus rotating brands pros use.
                                      The ball is the only logical answer as has been put forth for years. JMO.

                                        scotts33 I've not seen this ever be a hindrance to Laura Davies. She's never used a tee, 'peg'. Haven't kept track of her distances, but I've never noticed her to be short. I have seen her duff a couple, though. Faldo must not be paying much attention when he's watching golf. When these guys pull out a 3 wd. and still hit over 300 off the tee, and 280+ off the turf, I'm considering him to be just another idiot. Consider how they got so good with driver....practice. What will they do if they are not allowed tees or drivers, using 3 woods only??……...practice. And still be just as long. In reality, they will be even longer considering how straight they might be.