Golf Course Architecture's Biggest Myth?

[John Burzynski]

That the name of the course has anything to actually do with the terrain or ambience of the course.

Too many course named 'Deer Run at ....' or similar, only you never see deer there.  'Oak Forest Golf Club' or something liek that, but the entire course consists of maples or immature trees.  You get the idea.   

And then they stick the words 'a _______ signature course' after it.    Or even the words 'Golf Club' in the course name, when it isn't actually a golf club at all in the true sense of the word,  just a fancy name for a public course that charges exhorbitant fees. 

You get the idea, the name doesn't often relate tot he actual course.

I turn and run the other way.

[Jeff_Brauer]

On the architects side again, I still hear "We don't have to worry about wetlands or ADA on this project."

On the golf side, nearly every handicap out there, and the statement "I play fast, its the other guys who are slowing us down."

Also, Frank Thomas and others have pretty well shown us that most of us think we hit the ball a lot further than we really do.

[Kirk Gill]

"This course is challenging for the low-handicapper and yet playable by the high-handicapper."

Not always  true, but always stated.

"The land where we're building this course is better suited for golf than any land I've ever seen."

Not always true, and often stated.

[Doug Ralston]

Doug

Like it;

So?

I have an idea;  Get rid of carts, cart tracks and electronic distance aids

Try it;  Yes why not.

See what happens; Indeed, bring back all walking courses

You may have a point

Melvyn!!

Now Melvyn, that is an old idea, not new. But you may have a winning point for the future nonetheless. And do you know why it might work? Because the Oil Multis might make all machines so scarce that walking becomes our only option!

But that is still just a guess at predicting the future. I am certain even the power of outrageous profit can be overwhelmed by yet unseen events going forward [I hope].

Meanwhile, by all means create us some 'walk only' courses and see what happens. I could lose some weight ................. 

Doug

[Mike Hendren]

Multiple tees are a must.

[Mike Hendren]

The size of the green should be commensurate with the length of the approach.

[Dan Kelly]

I don't know enough to claim these as myths, but might find it entertaining  to hear debate about these possibilities:

1. That the average Old Dead Guy produced better work than the average Not-Old Living Guy.

2. That the best of the Old Dead Guys produced better work than the best Not-Old Living Guys.

[Adam Clayman]

How about faster greens are harder to putt on?

[Jeff_Brauer]

Also, that the ground game was alive and well in the Golden Age.  Not so, it was already being phased out.