Best Way to Walk a Course

[James Bennett]

I recall a lot of discussion on the intricacies of courses such as TOC and Augusta.  And I recall players stating that the pin position at Augusta dictates their tee-ball position.  Recently, we held the Jacobs Creek Open at Royal Adelaide, and if I was trying to educate someone on how to play that course, well you need to understand the greens and the likely pin positions first.

All of this got me to thinking - 'what is the best way to walk a course?'  Should we start at #18 green, and walk backwards hole by hole till we finish at #1 tee?  That way, we understand the green structure, then determine the preferred line, then work out the tee-shot, etc.

I've walked a few courses, and discover the mystery of a hole at the green, then want to go back to the shot point to re-evaluate the preferred line.  But I wouldn't bother with such a technique on an over-watered target golf course.

If this is a better way, does anyone actually do it this way? Where have you done it, or seen it done?  It would be tricky during play, effectively going against the tide for the 18 holes!

James B

[Nick Pozaric]

One course I can think of where that would not work would be Cypress Point.  CPC while standing on the greens looking towards the tess the bunkers are hidden and cant be seen

[Andy Doyle]

James:

I started doing this at golf tournaments about 10 years ago, starting with practice rounds at the Masters.  For a course that has so much of its defense based on its greens like ANGC, it seems like a logical way to work your way around the course:  first find out where the "correct" place to be is on the green (and the places not to be), then find out where in the fairway offer the best approach, then back to the tee to figure out the best way to get to the best approach spot.

During a tournament it's a great way to see the course and see a lot of players.  MUCH preferable to me instead of drifting along with a big crowd trying to follow 1 player.

Andy

[Dan Moore]

I remember reading long ago that Nicklaus in his prime would analyze holes from the green working back.  Granted some times you can't see all the hazards from the green.  However, once you take the one's you can't see into account, I've found its easier to see from the green the best place to be for your approach than it is from the tee.  

[Tom_Doak]

I have walked a lot of courses backwards over the years, especially at tournaments, or at private clubs when I was out looking and was being careful not to follow any particular member around until it bothered him (or her).

However, as an architect you try to put together a sequence of holes to appeal in the order they are to be played, and walking backwards it's difficult to get a sense of that.  If you listened to a symphony backwards could you tell if it was good?

[Jerry Lemons]

Tom is right, one cannot get much out of walking a course backwards. One neat thing to see/design is the look a course will have from two common focal point, the tee and the green. Every player sees the course from these two locations.

The best time to walk a course is at sunset or sunrise.
I did this for 15 years as a super and it was by far the most peaceful time of one's day.

[Jim Sweeney]

I always walk a course I'm playing in a championship backwards if I'm not already familiar with it. It gives me a much better perspective on the best position from which to attack the green.

As hidden hazards reveal themselves it is easy to adjust one's perspective.

Walking the course backwards lets me see many options I might not see, i.e. the carry over a dog leg, walking from tee to green.

[William King]

Tom is right, one cannot get much out of walking a course backwards. One neat thing to see/design is the look a course will have from two common focal point, the tee and the green. Every player sees the course from these two locations.

I believe Tom qualified his statement with "as an architect," perhaps this applies to supers too You seem to be viewing this from an appreciation aspect whereas the OP was interested in playing strategy. I personally think that for this latter purpose, walking a course backwards can be extremely helpful.