Quick Question - Front-to-Back Slope

[John Kirk]

I'm never sure whether "front to back" slope means high in the back, or if it means sloping away from the player.

Any opinions?

[Phil McDade]

John:

I've always viewed it as a green that, as the player approaches it from the fairway, is higher toward the front end, and "tilted" so that the back end is lower than the front. A neat feature all too rare on many courses.

[Doug Wright]

John:

I've always viewed it as a green that, as the player approaches it from the fairway, is higher toward the front end, and "tilted" so that the back end is lower than the front. A neat feature all too rare on many courses.

Agreed, John, or it would say "back to front slope," the more traditional (eg Ross) feature.

[Bart Bradley]

sloping away from the player...

Fun..but tough.

Bart

[Bill_McBride]

Just think about Oakmont #1, #10 and #12.  They flow with the natural slope of the land, downhill away from the clubhouse.

Here's #10 from Ran's profile:

[John Kirk]

Thanks, guys.  I felt stupid asking, since it's such a rudimentary concept, but I think the phrase is ambiguous.

[Kyle Henderson]

Captain,

Think of it in terms of the green being surfaced with linoleum (like Oakmont's). A ball placed on such a low friction surface will run from "front to back" if the green is higher in front.

[Mark_F]

Just think about Oakmont #1, #10 and #12.  They flow with the natural slope of the land, downhill away from the clubhouse.

Here's #10 from Ran's profile:

I love the look of the ridge that appears to run across the front of the green.

A little bit difficult to tell from a picture its dimensions, does it exert much influence on play?  It looks like it would play havoc with pins at the front.

[John Kirk]

Thanks, Kyle.  That's a good way to look at it.

I agree with all here that Oakmont's 10th fairway/green transition is super sweet.

[Pete_Pittock]

Winds blow from high to low and are labelled from the direction of the high.
Symmetry.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Well done John Kirk for speaking up and asking the question.


Here's mine.  I have no idea what "B&I"(?)  stands for, yet it gets namechecked everytime the distance issue comes up.  Help please.

[Rich Goodale]

Balls and Implements (i.e. clubs, in USGA/R&A-speak)

[TEPaul]

The USGA Committee charged with regulating balls and clubs (with the R&A) used to be called the "I&B Committee" (or the "B&I Committee) but in the last few years it's been renamed the "Equipment Standards"  Committee.