Ryder Cup legend Tony Jacklin sounds off on the ‘chaotic’ state of pro golf, condemns officials’ ‘throw money at everything’ attitude

Ryder Cup legend Tony Jacklin has criticized the current state of professional golf. He described the state of golf as 'chaotic' and underlined its overemphasis on a 'throw money at everything' attitude.

In an interview with "Bunkered", Jacklin recalled his older days and said:

"I remember the days of Peter Allis and Christy O’Connor Snr, we’d play an exhibition match on a Sunday on the way home from a tournament for £40, and thinking we’d had a reasonable day. Now, the caddies make ten times as much as the pros used to make!"

Tony Jacklin turned professional in 1962. He has 29 professional wins, with four being on the PGA Tour including two Majors and eight on The European Tour. Jacklin further clarified that he is not resentful and said that players aren't responsible for the current state of golf. He said (via Bunkered):

“The last thing I want to appear is sort of resentful. It’s not the players’ fault. I don’t blame them one bit. They all do things that they do best."

He also expressed how throwing money at problems is seen as a solution. He said (via Bunkered):

"Give Tiger another hundred million dollars for doing something and it’ll be fine. Just throw money at everything and the world will be a better place. Marvellous!"

He played Ryder Cup for Europe as a player seven times, 1967, 1969 (tie), 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979. He captained the team four times and won the trophy twice (1985, 1987) and tied once as a non-playing captain (1989).

Tony Jacklin is deemed to have a considerable impact on bringing the Ryder Cup back to life. Since the first Ryder Cup in 1927, the United States won 22 of the 25 tournaments till 1983. Since then Europe has won 12 of the 19 tournaments and tied one.

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Tony Jacklin expressed frustration over low scores on great courses

The four-time PGA Tour winner Tony Jacklin has also expressed his frustration with the low scores on certain courses. He said (via Bunkered):

"I think it’s chaotic. We’ve been in a state of chaos for a couple of years. I’m tired of watching guys hit 9-irons and wedges into every hole, shooting 62s and 61s from courses that are supposed to be great courses."

Jacklin further claimed that the technology which was meant to help amateurs is being used by professionals, which was not the original intention. He compared golf with baseball where the professionals still use wooden bats. He said (via Bunkered):

"In baseball, for example, they use wooden bats, the pros. We should still be using a similar wood in my opinion. These fellas, the guys that dedicate their lives to being better, they don’t need the help. But they’ve got it whether they like or not, and of course, on top of that, they’re getting paid an obscene amount. It’s obscene, hundreds of millions of dollars for playing golf. You’re joking!"

Tony Jacklin referred to the golf clubs which were made with wood and clubheads were made with hardwoods. The irons had primitive designs and they were attached to wooden shafts. The golf clubs today are made of titanium, and stainless steel while the shafts are made of graphite.