Is the basic design of the tennis racquet an the golf club the best thing for the job at hand? In each game, assume the regulations about what is considered to be an implement is changed to “any device which is not in any way self powered, and, (for golf) has no optics to help you finely judge a shot”. So assuming the 5 basic situations, (tennis server, tennis receiver, golf long distance, golf medium distance, golf short) would the basic design change for any of these situations if all other rules remained the same?
Almost certainly not, if only because both clubs and rackets are highly regulated by the governing bodies of golf and tennis. Here’s a link to golf’s equipment rules. Lots of illustrations of non-conforming designs, some of which may be beneficial.
I’d love to see how far a Hornussen playercould drive a golf ball…
Just judging from that video, I’d guess “not very far”, as you would still have to obey all the other rules of golf, including hitting from a tee/the bare ground. The only thing I am proposing in this scenario is changing the implement with which you hit it.
I think with a bit of practice you could hit a golf ball off a tee with a Hornussen whip (or whatever they call it). It’d be hard, but not impossible.
I still stand by my original point though - unless the regulations somehow embody the most effective gear configurations possible, there must be forbidden alternatives which are improvements over the current standards.
But the OP isn’t asking what can hit it the farthest, but is this the best thing for the sport. That ‘whip’ may (or may not) hit it farther then a golf club, but I’ll bet it’s not going to land anywhere near the hole. Similarly, I could hit a tennis ball way harder with a baseball bat then a tennis racquet, but it’s probably not going to bounce in the opponents court before it takes off over the fence and lands 400 feet away. Even if I could manage to get it to bounce on his side, could I get it to bounce where I want it?
Back when I religiously took tennis lessons, we’d aim at quarters on the court. Not sure I could hit those with a bat…especially if the other person hit the ball at me with a bat first.
In 2010, the USGA tightened the rules on the grooves on irons. The rules then in place allowed clubs that gave “too much” control. Similarly they’ve outlawed the croquet-style putter. They also have regulated the dimples on balls in the past few years. Here’s a site listing some illegal clubs:
Tennis racquets cannot be mutable (so that you could change them somehow for a baseline shot, volley or serve. Nor can they be liquid filled. There are also length limitations.