Davis - how balls have changed.
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Can you see manufacturers gearing back the ball so it reduces its distance by 10-15 yards?
I don't think the ball-makers can afford to let the ball go much further than it is already but I don't think they'll gear it down. Players are fitter and stronger these days right the way through the field, not just the top boys.
Everyone looks after themselves, stretches, works out and pound for pound the tournaments have stronger fields. The latest equipment does help and they're changing courses to accommodate that as well.
But surely, you can only stretch courses so far?
That's true but then they have to look at growing the rough up, making greens firmer, making a premium on hitting the fairway so that those guys who hit it miles may have to take 2-iron off the tee. It's a progression - a bit like football when you see players take a free kick it can swerve three different ways.
We've got to get the balance right. Can't just gear down the ball because pros are hitting it too far. The public loves to boom drives and we shouldn't stop that.
Have you retained some of the equipment you started using as an amateur and young pro?
Oh, yes. I've still got persimmon drivers I used as a kid. I've also got one of the first metal-headed drivers - the TaylorMade Burner. I look at that now and it's about the size of my 5-wood. It looks like it's got no loft on it. Compared to persimmon that club then felt just as strange as it would compared to today's big-headed drivers. I don't think I could even hit that club now.
Nowadays, off the tee, you are able to go at it harder, hit the ball that much harder because it's got a bigger sweet spot and if you do slightly miss-hit it you can get away with it. In the old days unless you hit it out of the middle of the club the ball nose-dived.
Putters, too must have changed in your experience?
They've changed because of the ball. Golf balls are a lot harder now and insert faces have been introduced to cushion the blow of the ball on the putter. When we used a wound balata you needed something hard on the putter face to give it momentum or it was like blancmange. But at the end of the day you can have all this technology - insert faces and back-weighting - but you still have to be a good putter.
Rescue clubs, too, must surely have been a great innovation?
These clubs have created a big difference. I used to carry a Ping Zing 1-iron - it was cavity backed and I used it to get the ball in the air. Now even Tiger carries a 5-wood. Modern technology has certainly made the game easier than when we used to carry 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-iron.
I now carry driver, 3-wood, utility and 3-iron. That works best for my personal yardages.
More players are turning to psychologists. Do you use them?
I do…and I don't! I'm one of those guys where my swing coach is more important for me because if I'm swinging well I don't need a psychologist because I'm mentally happy.
If you're searching [for your swing] then, mentally, you're going to struggle. Everyone needs a kick in the backside now and again from somebody but if I'm playing well, I'm lucky that I've got that natural ability to just go and play.
The key for me is to swing it well and to see a psychologist now and again. But I'm not one of those who has to speak to one every other day. I don't want to be that reliant on someone. You have to find your own way sometimes.
What about diet. Does that come into it?
Yes. Mine sucks! But I have started employing a physical trainer to get myself physically in better shape. As for addressing my diet, that's the next thing. But, hey, I'm 31 and when you have had a terrible diet your whole life, it's not easy to change. You don't want to get cold turkey - or it would be like someone suddenly giving up smoking. It's not easy.
For example, if you're five-stone overweight, start dieting and drop that weight all of a sudden, your swing and your balance changes completely. Everything must be done in moderation and if I change it gradually it won't be so noticeable as to change my swing.
And if things aren't going well it's very hard to stay mentally positive. You've got enough pressures out here without adding to them.
The Ryder Cup, is it on your mind?
Yes and no. I was in contention last time and Julie and I had a baby and I tried to keep playing. But it didn't work. Now I'm living and playing in the US a lot more.
I'd like to make the team and will play enough events and hopefully play well enough but we live in Florida now, my second boy is not too well so my family is my priority. You have to play well at the right time and at the right event.
Tell us on the forum about how difficult you found the transfer from persimmon-headed clubs to metal heads, from wound balatas to today's high flying, hot-spinning solid balls.
