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Kevin Pallier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #50 on: November 22, 2009, 08:21:55 PM »
St Andrews Beach Gunnamatta Course has to win the prize here.

Mark

Do you really think so ?

I would have thought a course like The Australian has more polarising views down under than SAB ?

J_ Crisham

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #51 on: November 22, 2009, 08:52:00 PM »
   Erin Hills was a complete letdown for me. After playing at Lawsonia , a better course IMO,  EH is a course I probably would not return to.  In more ways than just bang for your buck, Lawsonia is just more of an attraction for me.  EH was in marginal condition, had goofy shots like the approach on 2, the hole with the biarritz green etc. I also foundThe Dell hole was a joke of a hole, I don't mind a blind shot because I have those at my club.The fact that the green was in a ditch /ravine and the green was in pretty poor condition formed my opinion. This course was overpriced, overhyped, and hard to place in the top 5 in Wisconsin.                                                                        Jack

Tom Yost

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #52 on: November 22, 2009, 08:57:42 PM »
Pinehurst #2

Not that anyone hates it, but I do encounter a lot of people who basically wonder what's the big deal.




Michael Whitaker

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #53 on: November 22, 2009, 10:06:58 PM »
While I "like" Tobacco Road, I was astonished by now much less I "liked" it the second play.

Mike, this is a very interesting comment because nearly everyone I have played Tobacco Road with has enjoyed the course much more on the second and subsequent plays... mainly because they had an idea of where they were going, which added strategic decision making to their play.

Michael, the whimsy wasn't so novel the second go 'round.  Not unlike a good but not great joke that's just not funny the second time you hear it.  While Tobacco Road is whimsical, novel and fun, I didn't find it all that mysterious from either the tee or the fairway.

Mike

Mike - I have almost the opposite reaction when I play Tobacco Road.  I've played the course 10 times and each round has brought a new level of appreciation. It is one of very few courses I have played that cause me to think about how to play them long after I've left the property. Others are Black Mesa and The Kingsley Club.
"Solving the paradox of proportionality is the heart of golf architecture."  - Tom Doak (11/20/05)

Mike Hendren

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #54 on: November 23, 2009, 08:22:56 AM »
I might add Lederach.

Also, interesting that modern courses dominate this discussion.

Mike
Two Corinthians walk into a bar ....

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #55 on: November 23, 2009, 08:45:43 AM »
I might add Lederach.

Also, interesting that modern courses dominate this discussion.

Mike

Bogey

My admiration for this course reveals how far out of step I am with the mass of golfers. For the life of me, I can't understand why folks wouldn't flock to Lederach (is there a song there?).  IMO it shouldn't be anywhere near as polarizing as The Road.  Lederach is built in sound classic architectural principles.  I know many say the same for The Road, but I disagree.

Ciao
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

Anthony Gray

Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #56 on: November 23, 2009, 08:50:45 AM »
Pinehurst #2

Not that anyone hates it, but I do encounter a lot of people who basically wonder what's the big deal.





  Agreed


Jeff_Brauer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #57 on: November 23, 2009, 09:03:14 AM »

Also, interesting that modern courses dominate this discussion.


Is it possible that the older controverial holes have been remodeled out of existence?  Or, that people have just come to accept them because it takes time?

As to P2, I had the not so impressed until the second time I played it feel.  Now its a fave.  It is understated, not flashy, which may explain it, and the subtley grows on you, or at least me.

As to great jokes, here is one that still tickles me since I first heard it at age 12....

Man has no luck attracting women on the beach and asks hunky lifeguard for advice.  Lifeguard suggests putting a potato in his swin trunks to get some attention, which he does, but has even less luck.  He sees the lifeguard to ask why the plan didn't work and the lifeguard says, "Tomorrow, put the potato in the FRONT of your swim trunks!" ;D

Sometimes, simple imagery and conjured up mental imagery just lasts longer than contrived or fantastic images.  To me, that short joke captures a lot in a little bit of work, which perhaps is the essence of the popularity of our best courses, no?

Jeff Brauer, ASGCA Director of Outreach

Tiger_Bernhardt

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #58 on: November 23, 2009, 11:16:41 AM »
One that will not let me on it. I fight emotions ranging from respect for knowing I am not worthy to hate for then knowing it without even meeting me. lol

Kalen Braley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #59 on: November 23, 2009, 11:54:17 AM »
One that will not let me on it. I fight emotions ranging from respect for knowing I am not worthy to hate for then knowing it without even meeting me. lol

Ha ha, post of the year...well said Tiger!!   ;D

Jud_T

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #60 on: November 23, 2009, 11:56:56 AM »
Tiger,

The good news (?) is that there are fewer of them every day... :-\
Golf is a game. We play it. Somewhere along the way we took the fun out of it and charged a premium to be punished.- - Ron Sirak

Roger Wolfe

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #61 on: November 23, 2009, 01:52:52 PM »
Primland in Meadows of Dan, VA

If you can hit it straight and carry 200 yards its wonderful.  If you hit a low ball that doesn't carry OR are too wild off the tee... what a nightmare.  I loved it in 2007... haven't played it again since my game started deteriorating.

Bill_McBride

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #62 on: November 23, 2009, 01:57:36 PM »
While I "like" Tobacco Road, I was astonished by now much less I "liked" it the second play.

Mike, this is a very interesting comment because nearly everyone I have played Tobacco Road with has enjoyed the course much more on the second and subsequent plays... mainly because they had an idea of where they were going, which added strategic decision making to their play.

Michael, the whimsy wasn't so novel the second go 'round.  Not unlike a good but not great joke that's just not funny the second time you hear it.  While Tobacco Road is whimsical, novel and fun, I didn't find it all that mysterious from either the tee or the fairway.

Mike

Mike - I have almost the opposite reaction when I play Tobacco Road.  I've played the course 10 times and each round has brought a new level of appreciation. It is one of very few courses I have played that cause me to think about how to play them long after I've left the property. Others are Black Mesa and The Kingsley Club.


Great call, those are two I would list as well, courses that you think about how to play long after you leave.

Interestingly, both those courses require that you understand your own game very well if you are going to enjoy playing them.  Maybe Black Mesa even more than Kingsley, because it is really important not to bite off more than you can chew there.

Jason Topp

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #63 on: November 23, 2009, 02:10:19 PM »
In my experience:

Turnberry - Finnegan ranks it one of the best in Scottland.  The two times I have visited a majority of people in our group rated it their favorite, but it gets significant criticism as well.

New South Wales - see the other thread

Shadow Creek - I would like Melvin to visit Shadow Creek to hear his comments in light of his position that the Castle course should never have been built.

Wolf Creek


Niall C

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #64 on: November 23, 2009, 02:22:42 PM »
Given that it was Anthony who started this thread I'm surprised that no one has nominated Cruden Bay, even just for a laugh. Its one of these quirky courses that perhaps is rated a lot higher by overseas visitors than it is by Scots.

For my money, I don't mind quirk but the sequence of holes at Cruden leads to an almighty let down. Great 6 or 7 holes to start and then it goes off the rails later on with 4 blind holes on the trot and an average finish which gives a huge let down after the start.

Hopefully the changes taking place will do address the sequencing.

Niall

Jud_T

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #65 on: November 23, 2009, 02:27:34 PM »
Kingsley??? Who doesn't like it? Sure there are holes (#9, #9, #9...) that will cause great anxiety in the scorecard and pencil set, and you can debate how high it should be in the rankings, but I can't imagine anyone thinking it wasn't a really fun place to spend an afternoon's match (and a morning and evening match for that matter  8))
Golf is a game. We play it. Somewhere along the way we took the fun out of it and charged a premium to be punished.- - Ron Sirak

Tim Leahy

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #66 on: November 23, 2009, 02:31:03 PM »
Pebble Beach seems to bring out the best and worst comparisons.
Torrey Pines South also.
I love golf, the fightin irish, and beautiful women depending on the season and availability.

Kalen Braley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #67 on: November 23, 2009, 02:32:36 PM »
Merion....

There isn't any other course that has polarized GCA.com quite like it!!  ;)

Ash Towe

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #68 on: November 23, 2009, 02:32:51 PM »
In New Zealand, Kinloch, the new Jack Nicklaus Signature effort has had its share of criticism.  It is a difficult course with only 3 sets of tees.  As a result people may have chosen the wrong ones to play from and this has affected their view.

Many of the better players I have spoken to have enjoyed the challenge and have made or plan return visits.

Garland Bayley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #69 on: November 23, 2009, 04:07:05 PM »
In Oregon Sandpines, Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails.

Also, Astoria CC. Some people hate its type of quirk.

I had to peruse the thread to see if Sandpines was mentioned. As far as generating threads on this website with polarized views, I believe it is one of the top.
"I enjoy a course where the challenges are contained WITHIN it, and recovery is part of the game  not a course where the challenge is to stay ON it." Jeff Warne

Cristian

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #70 on: November 23, 2009, 07:42:05 PM »
Ballyliffin Glashedy

If you love the Old course (at Ballyliffin) you won't be too impressed with this track. (And possibly vice versa).

This club merits a trip to illustrate the difference between a true old links with quirk and rippling fairways and a typical 'links nouveau'.

Jack_Marr

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #71 on: November 23, 2009, 11:28:09 PM »
What about Carne?
John Marr(inan)

Rob Rigg

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #72 on: November 24, 2009, 02:44:42 AM »
I think Tetherow in Bend is probably the most polarizing course I have played in Oregon.

I know a few people who love it, and I have read several reviews requesting that it be plowed under and rebuilt, which I thought was pretty harsh.

The reviews on GCA were also pretty warm fuzzy or PO'd.

I understand both perspectives.

Sandpines is polarizing? I do not recall hearing from anyone who was not hugely disappointed and often frustrated, or even angry, after playing there. :)

Philippe Binette

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #73 on: November 24, 2009, 07:48:11 AM »
Most polarizing: easy question !!!

NORTH BERWICK WEST LINKS

some think it's the coolest thing ever.... but I can see a bunch of single digit handicap players going: WTF, this is Mickey Mouse golf

Brett Hochstein

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #74 on: November 24, 2009, 08:45:52 AM »
Re:  Castle Course and Kingsbarns

The Castle Course is definitely controversial, but Kingsbarns seems to generate high praise from all--locals and travelers alike.

The main concern with the Castle Course I believe are the greens, which many believe to just be too out of control.  I found this surprising because I had expected more of a 'match play mentality,' when really it is something of the opposite, especially with the various St Andrews golf clubs.  Perhaps that is just on overwhelming preconception getting beaten down a bit, though. 
"From now on, ask yourself, after every round, if you have more energy than before you began.  'Tis much more important than the score, Michael, much more important than the score."     --John Stark - 'To the Linksland'

http://www.hochsteindesign.com

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