Not long ago, Scottie Scheffler made history at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, clinching the gold medal in men’s golf with a thrilling performance. In the final round, Scheffler carded a stunning 9-under 62, tying the course record, and ultimately finished with a 19-under 265, edging out Tommy Fleetwood by a single stroke and dethroning defending champion Xander Schauffele to claim the top spot on the podium.
And now the golfing world is abuzz with a fascinating comparison that has emerged on social media. A Reddit user recently shared a striking image juxtaposing Charles Sands, the 1904 Olympic golf champion, with Xander Schauffele, the 2024 Olympic golf champion. The side-by-side comparison has sent fans into a frenzy, with many marveling at the stark contrast between the two golfers.
The image showcases the dramatic evolution of golf attire and equipment over the past century. Charles Sands is depicted wearing a formal, three-piece suit and a newsboy cap, while Xander Schauffele sports a sleek, high-tech golf outfit and a baseball cap. The contrast between the two golfers’ styles is a testament to the significant changes that have taken place in the sport over the years.
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The comparison has also sparked a lively debate among golf enthusiasts, with some praising the elegance and sophistication of Charles Sands’ attire, while others admire the functionality and comfort of Xander Schauffele’s modern golf gear. Regardless of personal opinions, the image serves as a fascinating reminder of golf’s rich history and its continued evolution over time.
Fans are saying all kinds of things and are comparing the jarring difference the game of golf has seen in the last few decades.
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Fans of Reddit lose their collective on the century-old comparison
Starting off strong with the obvious, “The difference in the size of the club head is jarring side by side”, and well, yes. There’s no doubt that the technology has come a long way in golf equipment over the past 50 years, particularly in club heads. Gone are the days of persimmon drivers and blade-style irons with flat soles. Today, metal woods and hybrids have taken center stage, offering improved distance and accuracy. The introduction of perimeter weighting in the 1980s distributed weight around the club head, increasing forgiveness and consistency. Modern club heads now feature advanced materials and technologies, such as hollow-body construction, adjustable clubhead and hosel technologies, and face inserts, allowing for greater customization and improved performance.
“Shooting mid-70s with unforgiving blades, a ball that doesn’t fly, and courses that weren’t garden centers”, said one fan while the other said, “I have to assume the balls they used back then were a lot more forgiving”. This statement is somewhat ironic, as older golf balls were actually less forgiving. They had a harder cover and less consistent core, which made them more prone to slicing and less accurate. Golf balls have undergone a significant transformation, shifting from liquid-based cores and rubber windings to multi-layered constructions that optimize performance. Modern golf balls, such as the Srixon Z-STAR, feature urethane cover technology that provides unparalleled forgiveness and durability, a far cry from the brittle, easily damaged balls of the past.
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While style is not really considered to be a huge part of the sport, golf fans don’t mind a little dose of fashion every now and then, and they sure love the 1900s style. “Better style in 1900”, said one fan while the other counter-argued by saying, “Restrictive style”. And yes, it’s true. Today’s golfers benefit from moisture-wicking fabrics, breathable clothing, and ergonomic designs that enhance comfort and mobility which was not available a century ago. In contrast to the restrictive and formal attire of the past, the modern golf style focuses on flexibility, temperature regulation, and overall performance, allowing players to focus on their game without distraction. What are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know in the comment section below!
