Is Science Taking Away Golf's Artistry?

On Tuesday, Rory McIlroy was gifted a custom persimmon driver to commemorate his Career Grand Slam. After striping one down the range at The Renaissance Club—it’s kind of a joke how well he hit it, to be honest—he said, “I could have played in an era.”

It’s tough to argue with that.

During his Wednesday press conference at the Genesis Scottish Open, Rory was asked how his game would have suited golf in the 70s and 80s.

“Yeah, I mean, I'd like to think of myself more as an artist than a scientist when it comes to the game,” McIlroy said. “But I think in this generation at this point with TrackMan and biomechanics and all the technological advances, I think—again, I think my perception of myself as an artist. But I think with the way the game has went over the last 20 years, we are probably more scientists than we are artists.

“I'd like to think that I have the game or adaptability to do well in that era with that equipment.”

Scottish Open: Picks to Win, Odds | How to Watch, Tee Times

Hitting the ball further and straighter thanks to modern technology is great and all—especially for all of us mere mortals teeing it up on Sunday mornings—but I agree with Rory that it’s taken some of the artistry out of the game. Most golf in the States comes down to getting a number, picking your corresponding club, and sending it.

There’s just not a whole lot of thinking.

But I think that’s why I, and so many other golf fans across the U.S., love these two weeks in Europe so much. We finally get to watch these guys put away the yardage book a bit and use creativity and imagination to get the ball in the hole. It’s a beautiful thing to watch.

All that science might work on Parkland tracks, but it’ll get you killed on the links—just ask Bryson DeChambeau, who’s missed three cuts and finished outside the top-50 twice in seven starts in The Open.

But moving away from golf for a second, I think it’s important to let you all know that Rory buzzed his hair off. It’s maybe the biggest news to come out of The Renaissance on Wednesday.

You’re allowed to do anything you want once you win the Career Grand Slam.