From a Detroit News article on why golf handicaps have not come down despite significant improvements in golf club technology:
“Amateurs are less consistent and, therefore, do not experience the full effect of this technology,” said [a prominent golf course architect]. “Often, they are at a disadvantage with this technology because the errant shots are traveling farther off-line then they did previously.”
Fascinating, non? While technology has increased the distance that an average golfer can hit a golf ball, the main effect has been for them to hit the ball further awry. I’m living proof of this, with my Callaway 454 uber-driver causing me to regularly launch balls 280–300 yards, albeit far across other fairways and nearby service roads. It’s spectacular, of course, but neither safe nor particularly effective at reducing my score.