Moonah Links

[Jeff_Mingay]

"Usually an architect gives you something to look at where you want to hit it. But this course you don't see it, it's very hard to picture a shot and it's difficult to see where you really want to go . . ." - Australian pro, Mark Hensby, on Moonah Links, host of this week's Australian Open.

Comments?

[Mark_F]

Maybe Hensby has been in America too long?

But it is no bad thing.  It adds a little spice to proceedings, and makes the game a little more interesting, which is probably the only time you are ever liable to see the words interesting and Moonah Links in close proximity ever again.

The above sentiment particularly applies to St Andrews Beach, too, and I like it.  It keeps you off balance, but some people aren't too enamoured with it.  

What do you, as a designer, think of hiding the bottom of the pins, or tucking greens away completely or partially?  

[JESII]

I think Hensby's comment is interesting. I also think that installation of uncertainty is a trait all of the best courses in the world are able to do on many occassions throughout a round.

I also think Mark Ferguson makes a point in that the idea of visibility and fairness are too common in the minds of golfers in the states.

Be curious to see some on TV this weekend.

[Jason McNamara]

Be curious to see some on TV this weekend.

The Golf Channel has the Euro Tour and the Japanese Tour, but no Australasian Tour.    Also no Aussie Masters at Huntingdale in 2 weeks' time.

We will get to see Royal Adelaide again in mid-Feb (and the Johnnie Walker @ The Vines, fwiw).

Jason

[Sean Walsh]

JES,

seeings you're going to be out here soon I'll try and tape a bit of it and pass it on to you when you get here.  

[ed_getka]

Hensby can't picture the shot, thats rich. Does he not play practice rounds, have a caddy to tell him exactly what is going on out there, and precise yardages.
   Personally I don't mind blind shots here and there, but I prefer semi-blind shots where I have at least some sense of where I'm going. However, I am in the camp of once you have played a hole, its no longer blind. With semi-blind shots I find it hard to commit to the shot when I can't see the prime landing area. Actually seeing some of the periphery of the less desirable landing area makes it harder, for me personally, to be able to hit where I know I should be going. My mind wants to hit to what I can see, not to the "unknown".