Rich,
The answer is: Because a 6 iron, with a little spin may not make it to the proper plateau, and with the greens at 12, the slope in that section falling to the front of the green, and the wind pushing your ball in that direction, shots just slightly short of the "safe" plateau meet a dire fate. And, shots hit long of the pin have a treacherous putt confronting them.
One fellow putted from above the hole on Sunday, his putt ran slightly past the hole, gained momentum and ended up 10 yards off the green in a deep bunker.
The surrounds on the greens are mowed tightly.
Shivas,
It's genius, it's in the architecture.
The discovery may be recent, but the existance of the retention of the overall balance despite 360 degree wind direction changes has been there since I first played the golf course, I just didn't recognize it until Sunday.
I've only been playing Seminole since around 1962, so perhaps others may be more familiar with the golf course prior to that date.
Seminole has historically held it's own against the best players in the world, so it's not a recent occurance.
As far as my recent discovery, that has more to do with the overall balance in the values despite the incremental and decremental changes on each hole brought about by 360 degree changes in the wind direction, rather then a phenomenon brought about by modern technology.
In addition, I'm hitting the ball far, far shorter, recently, then I have for the last 40 + years. Yet, the cumulative balance of the golf course remained in tact for me, as it does for some very superior Mid and Senior Amateurs.
Wayne Morrison,
I can't speak to intent, but, if I was to guess, I'd say yes, since the starting holes generally benefit from the prevailing winter winds, with the finishing holes providing a far sterner test.
I believe Ross endorsed easing one into the round, so perhaps having the wind at your back on # 1 and # 10 wasn't a design accident.
TEPaul,
The location of the clubhouse, who located it, when and why fascinate me.
It seems like such an illogical place, unless, Ross routed the course first and this was the clubhouse location by default, or, Hutton wanted it at its present location and Ross designed the golf course accordingly.
Does anyone know the history of the siting ?
Brad Klein, Michael J Fay ?