Wayne asked: “What do you think of the flat areas fronting the swales at green height or fairway height?”
Many frontal areas were not really totally flat - CBM mentioned something about there being hog-backs on them to deflect or shunt balls to the side. Most of these deflection mounds have been removed. I still have set of these original mounds on The Knoll’s 13th hole as well as blueprint of a Biarritz green that shows their typical positions.
During my early research there we just a couple of greens cut at putting green height but I promoted the idea of full “two-section” putting surfaces a lot. I don’t really have a preference and like both “versions” but for different reasons.
If maintenance is an issue certainly the “single-green” version is preferred. A single green might be more preferable on a public access course. If “total originality” is the goal, then you should go back to the original intent, in all but about two instances were single greens.
However, if it were my decision, I’d opt for the full double green version ...... Why? Very sexy version - a major WOW factor and certainly very memorable. I think they look great.
But the major NO-NO!!!! These greens were not meant to be pinned on the front (except Yale I would think) and certainly NEVER in the swale except perhaps in some sort of “fun” tournament.
My personal belief, for what it’s worth, is that Charlie did not use a Biarritz at NGLA because he felt it should be played from a high tee, similar in intent as the original Chasm hole at Biarritz, France, hence only three par threes at National. At the next course Piping Rock he built one at ground level which continued until a more ideal situation came up at Yale and later by Raynor at Cypress Point.
Think about Yale’s 9th: I’m not sure a single green version would work given the height of the tee vs the green, Even if the front section was kept firm, the ball is coming in so high I’m not sure it could roll through the swale and on to the rear section.
I’ve stated it before but in a couple magazine descriptions from the 1920's (namely in articles about Piping Rock and the original Raynor Deepdale course) stated the best way to play these holes were with what they called a “push-shot” at the time, a low line drive type shoots - a running shot, that landed on the front section, disappear in the swale and hopefully come up on the green. (I’d post the exact quotes but I’m not at home)
The length of a Biarritz when built (19-teens and 20's) on average was listed at about 235 yards from the middle of the tee (almost always a single tee) . . . so unless you were downwind, no one could reach them on a fly. The main point is that these frontal areas were FIRM - so it worked then. I think at most clubs these “landing areas” may be a little too soft to work as intended.
I think just Yale and Chicago and perhaps Mid-Ocean were originally “double putting surfaces, though not too sure about MO.
Wayne: “Should the original intent be maintained (especially with the short fairway heights of today) or do you prefer green height?”
I think green height would be best but you really have a problem with ball marks.