Over the past 30 years, golf has undergone a remarkable transformation, particularly the long game has seen incredible change. Advances in golf ball design and equipment technology have significantly impacted how players generate power and precision on the course and probably most noticeably off the tee. Peter Harrison, a former tour professional and now Director of Tour Player Relations at Callaway Golf, has witnessed this development firsthand. Having spent over three decades in the golf industry, Harrison offers an inside perspective on how the game has evolved.
Peter Harrison’s journey into golf began in Newcastle when he started as an Assistant Pro at a local driving range, learning the ropes under the mentorship of renowned coach John Jacobs. Harrison’s talent on the course quickly became apparent, propelling him into a successful professional career. Harrison achieved significant milestones, including representing Europe in the 1980 PGA Cup, and victories on the Challenge Tour in Africa. Fast forward a few years, Harrison joined Callaway Golf in 1994. His background as a Tour Pro equipped him perfectly for his role where he is responsible for all Callaway Tour Pros to be matched with the best equipment tailored to their specific requirements.
Forming the crucial link between the best golfers in the world and the super-talented engineers and scientists at Callaway clearly suited Harrison. He was right at the heart of where the future of golf was being shaped during exactly those 30 most influential years.
Harrison’s long tenure at Callaway has placed him at the heart of the technological revolution. Over the years, the game has seen incredible changes in equipment design, especially with golf balls and clubs, making it easier for golfers to achieve longer, straighter, and more accurate drives than ever before. Here is an interesting stat about Bernhard Langer just to illustrate the point: back in 1987, as a young Tour Pro in his physical prime, he hit an average drive of 260 yards. Today, at the age of 67, his average drive is 280 yards.
Golf has become a more dynamic sport, thanks to these innovations. Harrison points out that, in recent years, hitting the ball has become more fun due to these advancements, which have taken both the thrill and precision of the game to new heights. “It’s never been more fun to hit a golf ball than it is now,” he says, capturing the excitement that modern golf has to offer.
One of the most influential developments has been the introduction of launch monitors. Initially a niche tool used by a few, launch monitors are now an essential piece of equipment for players seeking to optimize their performance. These devices provide critical data about a player’s swing. By analysing variables like spin rate, launch angle, and ball speed, players are better able to adjust their equipment and swing mechanics for maximum efficiency. Over the years, golf manufacturers, including Callaway, have used these insights to create clubs that are precisely tailored to individual players’ needs.
Looking back at the early stages of Harrison’s career, the long hitters of the day – players like Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman – could generate impressive power, but their drives didn’t travel nearly as far as the drives we see today. In those years, players were limited by equipment, with technology and performance data still in their infancy. What was considered a good shot at the time is now viewed differently, as golf’s understanding of ball flight and swing mechanics has evolved.
The key to modern distance lies in manipulating the ball’s launch angle and spin rate. Harrison says “Today, we encourage golfers to increase their launch angle while at the same time reducing the balls spin rate. This is what allows the ball to travel much farther”. Launch monitors have played a significant role in helping golfers identify how to control these factors to increase distance. In addition to equipment advancements, golf balls have undergone major improvements, too. “The design of golf ball dimples has changed dramatically,” Harrison explains. “Earlier golf balls had more flat areas between dimples, which created drag and slowed the ball down. Today, golf balls are engineered with interconnected dimples that reduce drag, allowing the ball to fly faster and maintain more distance.”
The modern professional golfer is not only a skilled player but also an elite athlete in every sense. Today’s tour players spend considerable time conditioning their bodies to perform at the highest level. Fitness has become an essential part of the game, with many golfers incorporating strength training, flexibility exercises, and cardio routines into their regimens. The level of athleticism among today’s golfers is higher than ever, with most players able to compete at consistently higher levels week after week.
The modern professional golfer is not only a skilled player but also an elite athlete in every sense. Today’s tour players spend considerable time conditioning their bodies to perform at the highest level. Fitness has become an essential part of the game, with many golfers incorporating strength training, flexibility exercises, and cardio routines into their regimens. The level of athleticism among today’s golfers is higher than ever, with most players able to compete at consistently higher levels week after week.
As technology has advanced, so has the art of club fitting. For golfers today, ensuring that their clubs are properly fitted to their swing characteristics is more important than ever before. Whether it’s the lie, the length, the weight, or the loft of the driver, each aspect of the equipment must be carefully tailored to the player’s needs. At Callaway, club fitting is a critical part of the company’s philosophy. The team at Callaway works closely with players on tour to ensure that their clubs are optimised for their unique swings.
Beyond professional golfers, Callaway is also focused on identifying and nurturing emerging talent. Through programs like Callaway Next, the company is looking to find young players who show promise and help them transition from amateur to professional golf with the right equipment. The program targets players from 14 years old and up, emphasising the importance of getting properly fitted for clubs at an early age. As players grow and their game evolves, equipment fitting ensures they have the best tools to succeed.
Golf’s landscape has shifted dramatically, and many of these changes are driven by technological advancements, player fitness, and club fitting. Peter Harrison, who has witnessed these transformations firsthand, is proud to have contributed to the game’s evolution, both as a player and in his role at Callaway. With continued advancements on the horizon, the future of golf is brighter than ever, and for players like Peter, the best may be yet to come.