User Reviews

Yesterday the golf channel was showing the old match between Sam Snead and Bob Hope. Most of us remember Bob Hope as an old, frail man in his 80s and 90s. But here we can see a relatively young and strong looking Hope. And, for a celebrity, had a pretty good golf game. Sam Snead of course beat him, even giving him strokes on several holes, but matches like this are always fun to watch.

Of interest to golfers of today are the distances these two men were hitting the ball. When Sam Snead hit a driver, with carry plus roll he would be out about 250 yards from the tee. When Bob Hope would hit a good drive, with roll he would be about 190 yards from the tee. This is pretty amazing when you consider that most any decent male golfer can hit drives 230 to 250 yards, and the longer hitters upwards of 300 yards. On the pro tour the ball carries 280 to 320 yards. Some of it is stronger players, but most of the gain in distance is from better equipment, both clubs and the balls.

Anyway, these matches that Snead plays with celebrities are interesting, to see the personalities and watch some old-fashioned golf.