Prevailing wind

[Matt_Sullivan]

Had the good fortune to play both St Andrews Beach and Barnbougle on a recent trip to Oz. Played both in windy conditions.

We played St Andrews first, and only once. While I admired and liked the course, it seemed hard to fully appreciate it because we played in what the pro shop later told us was the non-prevailing wind (and about 3-4 clubs worth as well). I wouldn't say it soured the experience -- still had a lot of fun on a great layout -- but it seemed a little strange to hit driver-7 iron to the the par 5 17th (for my only birdie of the day!) and then driver - 3 wood - sand wedge to the par 4 18th.

Well I played 17 and 18 in 9 shots like the card says (albeit with a reversed 4 and 5) but I just got the feeling I wasn't really experiencing the course the way it is most usually played.

At Barnbougle we had the prevailing wind for both days (three rounds). After the ST AB experience, I became aware how different Barnbougle would play in the other wind. I probably would have hated 6, 8 and the back 9 par 5s (and never written a post about how I disliked the tee shot on 18!)

A question for the designers -- when you design a course in a windy location, how important is the prevailing wind? Will you ignore/modify what might otherwise be a good hole (or part of the routing) if it won't suit the prevailing wind conditions? And when does a wind become a prevailing wind so that it has a major influence on routing -- if it blows from that direction 40% of the time, 60%, 80%?

Thanks

[Jeff_Brauer]

Its pretty important.

I actually consider the wind speed as much as how often it blows from a particular direction.  I also consider off season winds.  In Chicago, for instance, they change only from SW to NW.  Since the west component stays intact, holes running generally north and south work just as well either season.  The occaisional lake winds can make for difficulty.

In Texas, they change from S to N in the winter months.  The only good news is that we don't get many players here when we have those blue northers, so not too many people play in reverse conditions, and those who do are pretty miserable for other reasons......

In Minnesota, I don't get the sense that the winds blow as strong up there, and the trees make them swirl, so I feel more free to ignore wind if a good hole presents itself.  In Texas, the wind blows strong enough to where I have seen some shallow greens on downwind holes that just won't hold a shot, so I am more careful to avoid those type greens here.

I conclude that I should probably design up to a quarter or third of the targets for off season winds, usually on holes where the topo suggests that type of orientation.  Most routings have those naturally occurring.  

The other solution to a target that naturally angles against the prevailing winds, is to follow the natural contours and enlarge the target and adjust/minimize the hazards a bit and , to give enough room for players figure out how to get there on their own.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

They often say that a links course is defenceless if the wind doesn't blow.  Does that leave some holes on a course designed for a prevailing wind to be inadequate in the wrong or no wind?

[Jeff_Brauer]

Mark,

Not sure about that. I typically factor the wind in in setting up shots, accentuating the need to do one thing or another.  If all the "traffic signals" point to a fade, but one signal is out, like the wind, I think the hole still plays, even if the judgement of wind is reduced or eliminated.

As noted above, relying too much on the prevailing wind for design can cause some problems in out of season play, like greens that won't hold a downwind shot in winter, for example.  As a result, I suspect most greens are sort of dumbed down - i.e. made more of a big circle to play somewhat well in all winds instead of shaped to play in one particular wind well.