Chairman Payne: They're Just Better Athletes

Sounds like someone has been spending too much time around Chief Inspector Dawson!

In an interview to Brett Ogle while Down Under for the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Augusta National Chairman suggested that we've had it all wrong in thinking equipment has driven spikes in distance that has forced the home of the Masters to add 500 yards, mow fairways grown longer than they'd like toward tees to create ball-roll slowing grain, buy neighboring property for new tees, and plant absurd looking pine trees at the course where Bobby Jones made it evident trees were not to be used as a hazard.

Nope, apparently it's all in the genes and workout programs of today's golfers, who unlike schlubby types from the past like Jack Nicklaus or Gary Player, are much stronger today.

Thanks to the Aussie Golfer for transcribing a Fox Sports interview:

“You know the kids keep getting longer. I really think for a four or five-year period we blamed it on the equipment,” Payne said. “I really think it’s the conditioning of these young kids.”

“You know they come to the game now much more athletic than they were in the past.”

Apparently the Chairman hasn't seen PGA Tour rookie of 2014 Chesson Hadley and his skin and bones averaging 291.8 off the tee! Or...oh why bother. It doesn't matter.

What matters is that Augusta National has to resort to measures it should not have to all to allow manufacturers to claim they are selling you something longer and straighter than ever. Is it really working for anyone at this point?