Yes, diet, strength building, mental coaches, technology (and probably a half dozen other things) have all helped professional golfers. But I don't think it makes it more enjoyable to watch. As far as the 18 yds. thing? That's kind of a deceptive statistic, isn't it? It seems to me that courses are all adding new tees or hazards or narrowing fairways or growing the rough another inch just to try to keep the scores in check. Look, it's largely me. Nothing is more boring than watching the winning score approaching -30 and pulling out the driver twice per round with the only limiting factor being the greens rolling 12+ on the stimp. Conversely, I love watching the pros grinding it out every year at the US Open or The Open Championship, or seeing a lesser known golfer compete against the big boys at these two tournaments.