PGA Long Drive Contest results

[RoverRick]

[quote name='jnradioactive' timestamp='1407326836' post='9868915']
[quote name='Golfnut801' timestamp='1407326424' post='9868885']
Discuss what? Where are the results?
[/quote]

What OP failed to mention is Louie hit it 340 to win yesterday and Jack supposedly hit it 339 years ago with persimmon
[/quote]

I just watched the press conference with the PGA officials and they [u]said[/u] Louie was 340 and Jack was 341. Not sure that is much more impressive. It was impressive before.

[vtnerf]

Bubba does not get a pass.
He participates in the par 3 at Augusta. He went out of his way to NOT participate in this yesterday. However, he says he will be hitting driver during the actual Championship. So, his reasoning of getting ready for the tournament is bunk because if he truly was getting ready, he hits driver. Nobody was holding a gun to his head telling him to bomb it. He could bunt one for anyone cared, but at least do something... And, oh yeah, it was for charity!!!! Good on you Bubba. Way to prove your point.

[yellowlab]

[quote name='prorobo' timestamp='1407339783' post='9870665']
[quote name='Frostfield' timestamp='1407337450' post='9870347']
[url="http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/multimedia/video/highlights/2014?snapid=274120"]http://www.pga.com/p...4?snapid=274120[/url]

Here is Bubba Watson being an anus and swiftly hitting a 3 iron as to not inadvertently participate in the long drive contest. What a steaming pile of used douches he is.
[/quote]

Do MLB pitchers throw as hard as they can during batting practice? No. Bubba can't be faulted for not wanting to participate in a sideshow act. But haters gonna hate.
[/quote]

He doesn't have to hit it as hard as he can. He could have been a sport about it and just hit driver. Just like everybody else did. Just like Jack and the rest of the boys did back in the day. The long drive contest was for the fans, not for Bubba or any other player.

[RoverRick]

[quote name='vtnerf' timestamp='1407341972' post='9870987']
Bubba does not get a pass.
[/quote]

Normally, I am a big Bubba defender, however, it is hard to defend stupid. This was a stupid reaction to a minor distraction. Not playing caused much more distraction then if he would have hit the bloody ball .

[jnradioactive]

[quote name='Yepyukon' timestamp='1407340795' post='9870787']
I don't care that Bubba did not participate in the event, it was his option. What bothers me is all the crap Bubba is saying about it. If you don't want to participate, then don't but stop voicing your opinion about how don't think it belong during the event. [b]Half of his videos are of him doing stuff that does not belong during events.[/b]
[/quote]

After he hit the 3I, he hopped in his Bubba Hovercraft and drove (hovered?) off in a huff...

[jnradioactive]

[quote name='PingDrv00' timestamp='1407340726' post='9870781']
[quote name='jnradioactive' timestamp='1407326836' post='9868915']
[quote name='Golfnut801' timestamp='1407326424' post='9868885']
Discuss what? Where are the results?
[/quote]

What OP failed to mention is Louie hit it 340 to win yesterday and Jack supposedly hit it 339 years ago with persimmon
[/quote]

It looks like the proposed number for Jack was 341, but who knows how accurate that was? I am pretty sure today's figures are bit more accurate with GPS and Shot Tracker.
[/quote]

Curious if Jack suggested bringing back the long drive comp because he genuinely though it would be fun of if he wanted ammo for his "dial back the ball" campaign. If it was the latter it more or less backfired...

[ClarkGrswld4]

[quote name='prorobo' timestamp='1407339783' post='9870665']
[quote name='Frostfield' timestamp='1407337450' post='9870347']
[url="http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/multimedia/video/highlights/2014?snapid=274120"]http://www.pga.com/p...4?snapid=274120[/url]

Here is Bubba Watson being an anus and swiftly hitting a 3 iron as to not inadvertently participate in the long drive contest. What a steaming pile of used douches he is.
[/quote]

Do MLB pitchers throw as hard as they can during batting practice? No. Bubba can't be faulted for not wanting to participate in a sideshow act. But haters gonna hate.
[/quote]

Actually, MLB pitchers don't throw batting practice at all

[prorobo]

[quote name='ClarkGrswld4' timestamp='1407345646' post='9871677']
[quote name='prorobo' timestamp='1407339783' post='9870665']
[quote name='Frostfield' timestamp='1407337450' post='9870347']
[url="http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/multimedia/video/highlights/2014?snapid=274120"]http://www.pga.com/p...4?snapid=274120[/url]

Here is Bubba Watson being an anus and swiftly hitting a 3 iron as to not inadvertently participate in the long drive contest. What a steaming pile of used douches he is.
[/quote]

Do MLB pitchers throw as hard as they can during batting practice? No. Bubba can't be faulted for not wanting to participate in a sideshow act. But haters gonna hate.
[/quote]

Actually, MLB pitchers don't throw batting practice at all
[/quote]

Technically I'm still right. But pre-game warm ups then to be specific or whenever the hell pitchers warm up before the game.

[esketores]

Nicklaus himself says with today's equipment and his swing speed from his 20's would equate to drives 20-40 yards longer than what he got from his equipment.
Many a Champions Tour player hit the ball further now than what they did in their prime. Heck there is many a gent at the club who hits the ball further now than what they did in their prime. Me included.

[jnradioactive]

[quote name='esketores' timestamp='1407363083' post='9874303']
Nicklaus himself says with today's equipment and his swing speed from his 20's would equate to drives 20-40 yards longer than what he got from his equipment.
Many a Champions Tour player hit the ball further now than what they did in their prime. Heck there is many a gent at the club who hits the ball further now than what they did in their prime. Me included.
[/quote]

You hit it 342?

[Marco]

Bubba didnt hit because he didnt wanna lose

[knockdstiff]

[quote name='Marco' timestamp='1407363731' post='9874377']
Bubba didnt hit because he didnt wanna lose
[/quote]

I kinda agree with this. He has it in his head he 'should' win it and is afraid to disappoint. Suddenly he is playing the 'I'm very serious I need to prepare' thing when his usual persona is all about how wacky and free spirited he is.

[jimb]

[quote name='Birdie Wooster' timestamp='1407317884' post='9868577']
So: Oosthuizen + ProV1x + 460cc + .830 c.o.r. + lightweight graphite shaft + turbulators = Nicklaus + persimmon + Tour Balata. Discuss.
[/quote]

Oosthuizen plays i25, sans turbulators. However, Nicklaus' driver was awesome.

[ronstars]

[quote name='dday39' timestamp='1407327552' post='9868981']
how about PGA Professional Jonah Kok in the top 5
[/quote]

Did he recently get let go from Dicks???

[mosesgolf]

If Jack were playing today with the modern ball and equipment he'd be in the top 10 in distance imo. Perhaps even top 5. He'd likely be hitting drives like Rory. By that I mean he would be longer than most.

[Wknd_Warrior]

I don't think the current generation understands how much speed jack had. I've read when he was young he used to win long drive contests. Watch some footage of him early on tour, that swing was outrageous, nothing like the Masters win at 47. He wasn't just long, he was really long if he wanted to be and he could keep it between the ropes too

[tp280]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1963_PGA_Championship

Interesting facts that the 1963 PGA was held in July in Dallas, which may in all likelihood have been a more favorable venue than the 10th at Valhalla. Jack Nicklaus would likely have the best memory of that day, and could probably comment on both contests.

To persimmon drivers, often they had multiple insert key slots or a center rod through the main fiber face sunk into the wood block through the main face insert that "Moved" in relationship to the wood portion of the club, if you hit the center of the middle insert. This was a precursor to COR/CT in today's clubs.

The biggest difference in hitting big drives then and now would have been shaft length, the ball, and fairway grass. I was lucky to see Jack play an exhibition right after his '78 St. Andrews win. His aggressive play (it was an exhibition), was fun to watch and he hit a few well over 320 yards that day with the old gear. [size=4]His form and power then were as good as anyone today, except his sand play, he left one in the green side bunker that day.[/size] [size=4] [/size]

[size=4]As to Bubba, this contest obviously laid heavy on his mind for a few weeks and he [/size]psyched[size=4] himself out well in advance. He should have said nothing in advance and if he hit the first ball out of bounds, a laugh and a mulligan would have done the fans some service for their [/size]patronage[size=4]. I can't believe his manager wouldn't have coached him on this in before he opened his mouth and stuck both feet in it.[/size]

[AWE46M3]

Bubba's personality (on TV, don't personally know the guy) annoys the crap out of me. His comments about not participating do not help... He would have been better off saying nothing at all about it.

[cehb]

[quote name='tp280' timestamp='1407385265' post='9876763']
The biggest difference in hitting big drives then and now would have been shaft length, the ball, and fairway grass.
[/quote]

What people tend to forget (understandably so) is that at the time of Jack's long drive victory, he was using the 1.62" ball which flew MUCH further than the 1.68" (both were legal at the time under R&A rules, the USGA had the 1.68" limit but there were exemptions and ways around it, Jack himself spoke about it in one of his books).

When I first started playing in the late 80's/early 90's there weren't a lot of the 1.62's still around but they were clearly longer than the 1.68 balls of the same era. Maybe somewhere in the region of 10-15% longer? So while obviously stupid long, Jack had the advantage of playing a ball which offered very clear performance gains and is now non conforming.

Impossible to compare between eras but if the 0.78 COR is accurate for persimmon woods, there probably isn't much of a gap as you might think between a solid drive in the 60's with the smaller ball and a drive hit out of the middle of a modern driver. The longer/lighter shafts would no doubt contribute to a few MPH of swing speed but obviously the biggest difference is in forgiveness. But on perfect strikes I don't think there would be a whole lot in it.

[anth]

I think Bubba takes himself far too seriously. Which is in direct conflict to the happy go lucky attitude he tries to portray.

Ask yourself why.

[CMBaviator_FR]

what was Nicklaut SS with driver, 130 mph ?

[jmc5850]

339 for jack that's incredible. I didn't know he could smash those clubs

[squarre]

[quote name='dday39' timestamp='1407327552' post='9868981']
how about PGA Professional Jonah Kok in the top 5
[/quote]

I played some tournaments with Kok during junior golf days. He could move it then and can apparently still do the same.

[Desert Golf]

[quote name='Frankensteins Monster' timestamp='1407328115' post='9869035']
But players are hitting it so much further. Ain't that right, Jack? Ain't it. Huh? Ain't it, Jack?
[/quote]

Jacks average drive was about 250 according to "Golf My Way". So yes, players are hitting it much further these days.

Why would you question the best golfer of all time?

[NoCalHack]

[quote name='CMBaviator_FR' timestamp='1407398078' post='9877183']
what was Nicklaut SS with driver, 130 mph ?
[/quote]


Yeah, we keep hearing about this Nicklaus 350 yard drive.

I bet it was a dogleg cut downwind off a sprinkler head that rolled 50 yards. He would need to swing like 140 given the persimmon COR and a spin crazy balata ball to hit it 350 under normal conditions. I mean long drive guys in Mesquite don't hit it much further with 46 inch drivers and pinnacles. I don't think Bubba Watson could swing 120mph using Jack's 1960's steel shafted 42 inch D5 counterbalanced driver.

[king_biscuit]

[quote name='NoCalHack' timestamp='1407476720' post='9885755']
[quote name='CMBaviator_FR' timestamp='1407398078' post='9877183']
what was Nicklaut SS with driver, 130 mph ?
[/quote]


Yeah, we keep hearing about this Nicklaus 350 yard drive.

I bet it was a dogleg cut downwind off a sprinkler head that rolled 50 yards. He would need to swing like 140 given the persimmon COR and a spin crazy balata ball to hit it 350 under normal conditions. I mean long drive guys in Mesquite don't hit it much further with 46 inch drivers and pinnacles. I don't think Bubba Watson could swing 120mph using Jack's 1960's steel shafted 42 inch D5 counterbalanced driver.
[/quote]

I'll bet Jack at that age could get it up around 130 when he wanted to.

[NoCalHack]

[quote name='king_biscuit' timestamp='1407476857' post='9885763']
[quote name='NoCalHack' timestamp='1407476720' post='9885755']
[quote name='CMBaviator_FR' timestamp='1407398078' post='9877183']
what was Nicklaut SS with driver, 130 mph ?
[/quote]


Yeah, we keep hearing about this Nicklaus 350 yard drive.

I bet it was a dogleg cut downwind off a sprinkler head that rolled 50 yards. He would need to swing like 140 given the persimmon COR and a spin crazy balata ball to hit it 350 under normal conditions. I mean long drive guys in Mesquite don't hit it much further with 46 inch drivers and pinnacles. I don't think Bubba Watson could swing 120mph using Jack's 1960's steel shafted 42 inch D5 counterbalanced driver.
[/quote]

I'll bet Jack at that age could get it up around 130 when he wanted to.
[/quote]


No way.

Not a single modern tour pro hit 130 all year with their modern driver. http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.02401.html

Jack's driver was at least 2 inches shorter and probably over 100 grams heavier. Everyone seems to think its so easy to summon 10-15 mph of extra speed at will.

[Ajlepisto]

Personally, I don't buy half of the stories about guys who hit it 350+

There are factors that play into these. Elevation, tee height, roll...

Some of these stories get so out of control.

[Britboy]

Do we know what the top 5 distances were when Jack won the Long Drive ? If second place was less than 310 yds then it's a 'wow' if 330 then it's a 'Oh it was downwind and the ground was firm'

[Awsi Dooger]

Nicklaus had really strong legs. That's what always strikes me about the footage of him from his early 20s. The older swing techniques placed more responsibility on the legs for power.

I was a kid in the late '60s when finally old enough to walk PGA events in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Nicklaus was very long but there's no question the current ball flight is higher and longer. I can still envision where those old shots traveled in relation to the palms, clouds and skyline. My best estimate is 10% higher and longer these days, compared to the best Nicklaus and Weiskopf blasts I witnessed in the '70s. They hit it high while most guys hit low risers.

I remember being pleased that Weiskopf usually hit it longer than Nicklaus. But whenever I mentioned that at Doral I had older guys in the gallery tell me that Nicklaus had lost some distance, or simply no longer went at it full throttle every time. They insisted he was longer a decade earlier. I had no reference point but it sounded reasonable.

Oosthuizen has the best combo of power and distance I've ever seen in relation to stature and tempo. I didn't appreciate it until last March at Doral. He hit some astonishing drives, including one that turned the 17th into a mere low flip second shot. I've actually been meaning to mention that on this forum. Rory smacks it far but he really goes after it.

As others have posted, Bubba placed the emphasis all on himself and was petrified of falling short of expectation. He somehow got the idea that favored to win meant he had to win, that he was a 1/10 favorite to win, and anything else would have been failure.

In reality, since it was one shot, so many players, and you had to hit the fairway, even the favorite would have been no lower than 5/2 or 3/1, if I had to estimate.