I'd have to think Gary learned a wee bit today about even silently doubting Arnie. Those early desert courses get ran on for days... beautiful. What a fine group of gentlemen all. Thank you for this.
As a kid I used to think Arnie had a funny looking swing, until I was standing on a sidehill about 75 to 100 yards ahead of him (he was teeing off) on the 18th Tee at Wood Ranch (around 1984 or '85). Arnie bashed the living snot out of his drive. I heard it and saw it go ripping past us in the gallery. I will never forget that sound. I figured he hit that ball around 320 or more. I think he hit a Six Iron into the green on that long par 5. What a course that was before American Golf took it over. I was lucky to get to play it quite a few times as my Dad was a member.
With persimmon woods and high spin balata balls the biggest problem for amateurs was controlling the flight and avoiding 'banana' shots,my draw could quickly turn into a snap hook,my pal who was a pro named me 'Captain Sideways'! There's a great match between Arnie and Frank (Muscles) Stranahan here on TH-cam that's worth a view.
Tripling the size of the club while being constructed of space age alloys has a bit to do with it. Same with todays balls. It certainly has nothing to do with sheer power. Hand 1963 Arnie a 2024 thousand dollar driver and... well, you know.
@@stevedriscoll2539 Driving averages weren't recorded until the late 70's or early 80's. There's no way to know the exact average but based on watching old events and the old shell series it was likely very similar.
I'd have to think Gary learned a wee bit today about even silently doubting Arnie.
Those early desert courses get ran on for days... beautiful.
What a fine group of gentlemen all. Thank you for this.
As a kid I used to think Arnie had a funny looking swing, until I was standing on a sidehill about 75 to 100 yards ahead of him (he was teeing off) on the 18th Tee at Wood Ranch (around 1984 or '85). Arnie bashed the living snot out of his drive. I heard it and saw it go ripping past us in the gallery. I will never forget that sound. I figured he hit that ball around 320 or more. I think he hit a Six Iron into the green on that long par 5. What a course that was before American Golf took it over. I was lucky to get to play it quite a few times as my Dad was a member.
Three of the greats in golf and what a pleasure it is to revisit that time. thanks
Bo was so cool!!
Sadly Bo Winniger died 4 years after this match from a stroke, he was only 45 years old.
Wow, that was young! Sad.
These are top pros at the time, best drive 270ish, average 255, amateurs were lucky to hit driver 210 215 I think, maybe 220, any comments.
With persimmon woods and high spin balata balls the biggest problem for amateurs was controlling the flight and avoiding 'banana' shots,my draw could quickly turn into a snap hook,my pal who was a pro named me 'Captain Sideways'!
There's a great match between Arnie and Frank (Muscles) Stranahan here on TH-cam that's worth a view.
Tripling the size of the club while being constructed of space age alloys has a bit to do with it. Same with todays balls. It certainly has nothing to do with sheer power. Hand 1963 Arnie a 2024 thousand dollar driver and... well, you know.
I didn't think the pros were averaging 255 until around the mid seventies to the early 1980's.
@@stevedriscoll2539 Driving averages weren't recorded until the late 70's or early 80's. There's no way to know the exact average but based on watching old events and the old shell series it was likely very similar.