Do I have to pick a designer or can I select a "style." I didn't see Bobby Weed mentioned but The Golf Course at Glen Mills is one of my favorite. Love Flynn but can only judge it on Rolling Green and Manor CC, PHL Cricket. LOVE Findlay but that's the course I grew up on. All of these courses require you to think off the tee – not just pull driver. Each is target based with small greens. Liked the couple of Ross courses I’ve played. Liked C&C (based on 1 course HC). All of these have very interesting green complexes with hazards (bunkers) that are, well … hazards. Trend seems to be 1920’s style courses.
How about Crump ? Not because of the course but because the course is SO GREAT and some might argue it was made with a "formula" in mind. (Was the intent provided to Colt or arrived at with Colt ?) i.e. No 2 holes following in the same direction, wanted a short drive-and-pitch hole and a short drive and bump-and-run hole (varying the options off the tee). 1 short, 1 mid length, 1 med long and 1 long par 3, Long and strong par 4, outward and inward. A very strong par 5, outward and inward, etc.
So I guess my favorite is the designer who can design a track, given the constraints of the land, provide the varying levels of shot making required - but require both styles (ground game and air) during the round. Give each hole a unique quality about it. Give you options off the tee to play to your own strengths. At times, make stand over a shot that you know you have to hit well and let you be grateful that you were able to pull it off.
If you can do that, than you are my favorite designer … that day
Karl
Wilm., DE
42
6.5
Want I thought was so interesting about this post …
Avg Age 43.5
Avg. handicap -7.6
If you would like I can put the data into minitab and maybe find some interesting trends.