What type of setup do the Tour Pro's really want?

[Shane Gurnett]

Firm? Fast? Slow? Heavy Rough? No rough? Narrow? Wide? High scoring? Low scoring? etc, etc.

Has they ever been asked as a group how they want their courses presented?

[Bryan Izatt]

Since they are independent contractors I doubt that you would get a consensus answer.  Since they compete with each other for the $'s, I'm sure they would like the courses set up in a way that most benefits their particular strengths.

Generally they seem to complain about courses that make them look bad (e.g. not being able to make a lot of birdies, or shooting embarrisingly high numbers); US Open venues, or Carnoustie for the Open, for example.  

[Jon Wiggett]

My experience is that pros are no different to other golfers in that some prefer one type of course or that type. As for the tour I feel there is to much regulation. It is understandable that courses must have the necessary practice facilities, public access and so on. I don't understand the necessity for the height of rough or width of fairways and so on. Variety in the types of course would test the pros over the season much better requiring more diversity in their shot making. Also why is it necessary for them to play on top condition courses al the time? I mean the tour should be interrested in affordable golf and not just the top end of the market. Don't rake the bunkers, ban yardage charts and let them play the odd goat track now and then like most golfers  

[Craig Sweet]

It seems to me that 90% of the week in and week out tour courses are set up basicly the same....

Something that doesn't get talked about much on this board is how the green surrounds are set up....typically, a missed green, or a shot that doesn't stay on the green, takes one bounce and stops in the rough....generally this is no problem for a pro to get up and down....but on those rare occasions when the surrounds are mowed down and a missed green results in a ball running 15-25 yards from the green, resulting in a more difficult up and down, I find it more fun to watch....

[Craig Sweet]

Jon, course conditioning is a matter of pride. When the pro's come to play your course its like having the Queen come to your home for tea....you want everything to be perfect  

We host the Montana Open and its so satisfying as a maintinance worker to have the pro's stop and take time to tell you how good the course is playing.