Architectural Comprehension

[Slag_Bandoon]

 When we read a novel we are led through a story with structure and we make mental images of characters, predicaments and locales.  And between the lines is what the author is trying to say.  

  
My question is this...

      What do golf architects want us to comprehend in their design?    What is your underlying theme?  

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Slag,
Then it is true, Sandpines does read like a Barbara Cartland novel. Just a horrible waste of the best paper, from one of the finest trees in Oregon.

[Slag_Bandoon]

  Tommy, You are brutal with the truth.  I 've always thought of that place as the Hindenburg news flash where the reporter goes hysterical witnessing the disaster.  "Oh! The humanity!"  

  In a bunker by the 18th green I got down and slammed my fist into the wet sand and did Charlton Heston's Statue of Liberty scene in Planet of the Apes  "God damn you all to Hell!" and all that.  I'm usually not a mean drunk but shees! ... a man can only take so much.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Slag,

I saw this a few days ago, and have considered it ever since.  I can honestly say the reason that you have so few replies is that unlike a book, your experience is already defined as golf, and there is no hidden message!  At least, I haven't tried to put one in any of my courses.

I have always wanted to create a bunker, vaguely shaped like an obscene gesture , to see if I could subliminally convey the design intent of that hole.  Hey, its what every golfer thinks we think anyway, no?  

Haven't had the, shall we say, understanding owner to pull that one off yet!  Desmond Muirhead had his symbolism, and I guess I would have mine!

[A_Clay_Man]

I would've hoped for more insight too. I also think that illusion and strategy can be used effectively and in a timely fashion, so to speak. I've seen some designs that introduce early all the features you will face coming home, only they don't become strategic until the homestrech. I've seen and sensed other courses that build like a creseando only to climax with the "all water " carry. (hated it) But enjoyed the symphony.
One of the subleties I like about my home course is how the archie wanted you to have to think and even went so far as to lead you down the garden path. first showing you the prefered line with a specific bunker placement theme and then altering it just when you were use to it. For a kind of "gottcha".

[Slag Bandoon]

  I sensed that my original, wordy intro to the question was distracting so I removed some of it.  Sometimes my analogies don't work.  So, if epic and pulp stories are to be discarded, what physically do you architects WANT us to see?  

Adam, Thanks.  For some reason, even though I've never played it, I thought of Pat Ruddy's European Club in Ireland.  Like introducing the "Killer" in the last chapter.

 Jeff, I'm not sure, You wanted to shape a bunker like a tree? (snicker)

  I think mons venera rough is nice symbolism and definitely something to aim for.  (Center fairway rough on a little knoll)

  (And you guys thought I was always in the rough cuz I'm a hack.)    

[TEPaul]

Essentially Slag Bandoon is asking; What is architectural comprehension?

One thing it is, and in an ongoing effort, requiring daily posts and daily answers to endless mindless questions from him, is an attempt to educate Patrick Mucci on the subject of golf course architecture (and related matters).

[Slag Bandoon]

 Yes Tommy,  but mindlessness is my modus operandi.  

 "To thine own self be truthful."  

   Funny thing is it took you, of all people, to abridge my question for easier digestion.  So succinct you can be with my thoughts.

"I don't have any friends... no wait, fiber is my friend."  NP

  Have a great Pagan holiday!  

[TEPaul]

A pagan holiday?

Please do not frighten or threaten me--I'm a very sensitive guy. I've even had some serious nightmares recently about those horrifying little bodiless smiley-head people.