[Eric Franzen]

My previous background is in the music industry.  I therefore have on numerous occasions been encountered with heated arguments about the four elements of the hip hop culture, which hardcore purists of that genre often refers to in discussions about how and when hip hop got too commercialized.

The four elements of the hip hop culture are defined as deejaying (the art of knocking out beats and scratching the records), emceeing (the MC – well, the rapper…), breaking (break dancing) and graffiti art.

Let’s try, from a hypothetical perspective, to apply the same the same theory on golf.
 
How would we define the four elements of golf?
 
Architecture would surely be one of them, but which are the others?

Shotmaking?
Sportsmanship?

[ed_getka]

Eric,
   Why four?

Playing the game. (architecture is part of this IMO)
Camaraderie
The setting/being out in nature

[Eric Franzen]

Thanks for the input, Ed.

No, it is not necessary to limit the selection to four.

It is more interesting to bring forward the elements that really are fundamental for making golf (and indirect golf course architecture) what it is for us.

If it is three, five or six doesn't really matters.

[John Kirk]

Still passing time, waiting for the big show.

It's amazing to me that the grafitti art is considered a core element of hip-hop.  I know it's a cultural element, but has no bearing on the music.

I'd be reluctant to put architecture out there as a core element.  For me, the three elements are the walk, the players, and the shots.  There's probably a nicer or more complete description.  I'd like to think that the great architects build courses where the architecture blends seamlessly into the golfing park, and becomes "the walk".

[ed_getka]

Eric,
   Can you think of any other elements. John and I have the same ones, and I can't think of any others. It seems like there would be more but I'm not coming up with them. A lot of the draw of the game is sort of indefinable. I don't feel like the 3 things I listed cover it all, but I can't think of others.

[Wayne_Freedman]

Four elements:

Architecture
Weather
Physicality
Spirituality

[Forrest Richardson]

I have written before that it is "...an interaction between...the golfer, the course, and the influence of weather, equipment and competition."

So, five components. Competition being the lure of par, an opponent or the clallenge to better one's score. I also like the element of spirit, as mentioned here.

[ed_getka]

I wouldn't say it is weather. I would say wind is an element. Most golf is played in decent weather I would imagine, but wind is a significant element I overlooked (nae wind, nae golf).
I like Forrest's definition of competition encompassing an opponent, the course, or ones self.

[Wayne_Freedman]

I agree w/equipment as a fifth element, but he asked for four. As such, equipment falls under physicality.


Most of your Sunday hackers would not recognize the spiritual element, which could also be called a mental or intellectual one.

[Forrest Richardson]

I think the key factor is what percentage of the game is associated with each of these elements.

My take is as follows:

30% GOLFER — The Golfer (the player, their skill, the traditions and nuances of companionship

30% GOLF COURSE — Including each of its holes, all of the facilities and the clubhouse (the whole package)

15% CHALLENGE — An opponent or the elusive standard of par

15% WEATHER — Unpredictible conditions

10% CLUBS & BALLS

Of course, this is always a changing matter depending on who, where, when, etc.

[Jim Thompson]

Relative to design and limited to for elements I would choose the following:

1.  Directional or angular feature placement (side to side)
2.  Topographic feature creation or enhancement
3.  Trajectoral angle creation or enhancement
4.  Linear feature placement

Everything elses being an aesthetic or stylystic choice.

[Doug Siebert]

Four elements:

Architecture
Weather
Physicality
Spirituality

I saw that and immediately noticed the that if you rearrange the order of your list slightly the first letter in each word spells out "WASP".  Definitely appropriate for Masters week!

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