Gary Player once said what he ‘hates’ about the modern game as the problem continues to get worse

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Gary Player is one of the greatest golfers to have ever graced the game, after a glittering career which included 159 worldwide victories and nine major championships.

However, when Player competed in his prime, the game was completely different to the one we see on our television screens week in week out now.

Player recently found himself under fire for his Ryder Cup comments, after he suggested that the competition should be ‘abolished’.

In fact, the South African golfing legend seems to have numerous gripes about the modern-day game.

Player has bemoaned the fact that rangefinders are not legal, and suggested that the PGA Tour start allowing measuring devices to be used during play in order to speed up the game.

However, way back in 2005 he opened up on a really big issue he had with the modern-day game but the worrying thing is, the problem has continued to get worse since then.

Gary Player ‘hates’ one thing about the modern game

The South African firmly believes the game is much easier to play now than it was when he was in his prime 60 years ago.

Back in 2005, Player explained why he hated to see what modern equipment has done to the game of golf.

He said: “I just hate to see what’s happening today with golf clubs that I consider to be illegal. I’d stop the grooves being so deep (on the ball), and I’d stop the trampoline effect in the wood.

“The way to solve all the problems is to quit making metal clubs and go back to wood, but I say that with tongue in cheek. If you gave Jack Nicklaus the conditions these guys play in now, none of them (modern-day players) could live with him.

“Also, there’s nobody on the tour today who could hit the ball as well as Lee Trevino or Ben Hogan.“

Player’s comments on Nicklaus and Hogan are open for debate but he is right in the sense that certain golf courses are being overpowered now due to the advances in modern-day equipment.

And the problem has only continued to get worse since Player made those comments 20 years ago.

PGA Tour average driving distances: 2005 vs 2025

There is no question that players in this day and age hit the ball longer than their predecessors.

However, what do the stats say? Let’s compare the average driving distance on the PGA Tour from 10 years before Player made his comments in 2005 right up to the current day in five-year increments.

So the average driving distance on the PGA Tour has increased by more than 40 yards in 30 years.

Player certainly had a point, because the 16-yard jump from 2000 to 2005 was the largest out of all the incremental five-year periods.

However, that can’t be purely down to equipment. Professional golf is now a sport for athletes whereas back in the day, the emphasis placed on physical fitness was almost non-existent.

Golf club technology and the golf ball have improved beyond all recognition.

As a result, the golf ball ‘rollback’ rule is coming into play for professionals in 2028. The longest hitters are expected to lose around 10-15 yards on their drives when the new rule comes into place.

And that should ensure that the more traditional, old-fashioned golf courses will not become obsolete.