[metallion]

One argument is the pros will get a shorter ball and the rest of us could keep going with ball technology. But I've seen many manufacturers say, "people want to play what the pros play". So, clearly they are worried about losing revenue.

And they should be.

It is interesting and sad that marketing machinery does a good enough job to keep the general public unaware of the fact that buying a set of clubs off the shelf will NOT give them what the pros have, but lousy shafts and equipment that do not suit them.

But that is the same for other sports. Downhill skiing for one.

I tend to think that it will end as a matchup between the people running St Andrews, Augusta National and other traditional major venues and the golf equipment industry.

"No one is bigger than the game", they say. Does that include the big equipment brands or not?

Tradition v/s commercial interest. The ultimate test for the game of golf if you like.

Gave it a thought & came up with this. Regardless of what you think of TW and MW you should get the idea.

How about:

One tomorrow someone will:
1. Sit on the the rights to "The Golfing Machine"
2. Buy out Tiger, Michelle Wie or whoever is best from their swoosh contracts
3. Fix their swngs
4. Make sure they become GSED's.
5. Put TGM logos on them
6. Have them play equipment without logos
7. Build 100.000 TGM centers providing affordable instruction.

(Does not have to be all TGM, but the principle is to have pros marketing various golf schools & fitness concepts instead of equipment).

- Entire money flow diverted from equipment to instruction, fitness etc
- Average handicap of all players worldwide down to 10.
- No public interest in better equpment
- Courses will not have to be longer

Eat that, Mr Golf Equipment Tycoon.