I am watching some of this opposite field event, and I can't help but not like what I'm seeing. 8 irons into 554 yard par 5's, shooting a couple under without hitting any fairways.
The importance of ball striking has become systematically eliminated the last 20 years from the highest levels of the game. When Ben Hogan or Jack Nicklaus were playing, there was way more skill and strategy involved. Jack Nicklaus was the longest hitter, but if thats all he was, he would've never won more than a major or two. There was rough. He had to hit mid/long irons. He couldn't bomb it with the driver every hole, and have 10 wedges/short irons per round.
Some of the historic courses are now losing their history. St. Andrews is the worst Open venue now when the wind doesn't blow. Too easy for the players. It wasn't made for 350 yard drives. Some of the most historic mid/long iron shots at Augusta can't be replicated now by today's stars. They have wedges/short irons into these holes that Palmer or Faldo had long irons into. The highlights are now the drives and 80% wedge swings.
There are a couple things that need to be done.
1. Dial the golf ball back. Jack Nicklaus has endorsed this.
2. Add some rough to these courses. It'll take away the long driving contest, if you are required to hit the fairway to score well.