Powerplay not par for the course, says unhappy Player

GOLF legend Gary Player is convinced the modern day priority of power over accuracy is “ruining” the game, and has called on the sport’s governing bodies to impose drastic restrictions on the equipment used on the professional tour.

Player, one of only five professionals to have won the grand slam of all four major championships, believes that alterations to the balls and clubs available on the tour would emphasise the accuracy rather than the driving distance.

Although Player believes the equipment should be available for players who do not compete in the tour, the South African is concerned that the increasing number of massive tee-shots are not making the most of the world's finest courses and are damaging the development of the game. They've got to do it there must be a premium on driving," said Player .

"Golf courses are becoming obsolete. Even at golf courses like St Andrews they've started pushing tees way back.

"We mustn't change the equipment for the average golfer, but on the tour we've got to change things.

"You go to such an expense to make courses eight and nine thousand yards long and that money could go into development of golf for young people."

Player would change both the ball and the club for professionals on the tour and, without the power that often brings 400-yard plus drives, he believes that today's superstars could struggle.

"I just hate to see what's happening today with golf clubs that I consider to be illegal.

"I'd stop the grooves being so deep (on the ball), and I'd stop the trampoline effect in the wood.

"The way to solve all the problems is to quit making metal clubs and go back to wood, but I say that with tongue-in-cheek."