What if you hate the course?

[Jason Topp]

If you are an architect and are hosted at a course by a proud member and you do not like the course, what do you say when the member asks "What do you think?"

[Sean Leary]

Call it the "finest course of its kind"

[cary lichtenstein]

You say something like "interesting, fun, challenging"

[PCCraig]

"unique" 

[Brent Hutto]

I would try to say something about one or two things I did like and would try to avoid mentioning the disappointing aspects at all. If backed into a corner concerning my opinion of something I did not like I would couch it as a personal opinion and not a dismissal of the course all together.

[Michael Dugger]

Tell them the conditioning was nice, greens putted true.

[Ian Andrew]

A course I really like went through a major renovation. When I went out to see it I was disappointed in the direction they choose. There were some things that were well done and I made sure I pointed a few out to my friend. When asked my opinion overall, I asked about the philosophical change of direction and what the architect’s rationale was. It was explained to me in detail. I said that we don’t seem to share the same philisophical view.

There is no point in spending time criticizing the work because the club has spent a great deal of time and money on the project. It’s done. But as an architect you need to be careful in what we say since criticism can be thought to represent bitternessfor not getting the work. It’s why many architects avoid this forum and most never offer criticism in public.

I originally thought the club’s choice was a good one, but I the more I have seen of his work, the more I know we have a major philosophical difference of opinion.

[Brent Hutto]

I originally thought the club’s choice was a good one, but I the more I have seen of his work, the more I know we have a major philosophical difference of opinion.

Well I suppose you could truthfully say that they made an excellent choice of architect to implement their new philosophy. That of course leaves unexamined the question of whether that philosophy is in whole or part attributable to the influence of their chosen architect but nothing to be gained from that discussion.

[Jason Topp]

I said that we don’t seem to share the same philisophical view.

Ian:

I like that response.  As much as we debate what we like and do not like on this site, as long as the changes are made pursuant to well thought out plan, it does really boil down to a philisophical view.   

[Tom_Doak]

I wish I could get away with saying platitudes, but with my reputation being what it is, every time I try to pull my punches, people seem even more offended than if I just tell them honestly what I thought.

I don't often get into critiquing a course hole by hole, though.  I will only get down to that level of detail if the course is good enough that there are just one or two things that really detract from it.  [That's one reason we spend so much time arguing about the "bad holes" at Pebble Beach.]  If it is more than that, generally I will just show my host one particular feature that's bothering me and explain why, and leave him to figure out that the same thing is true of damn near every other hole! 

[John Moore II]

Not to derail what is being talked about, but to go with the title of the thread, what do you do if you're invited by a member of an exclusive club and you flat out think the place is trash? Its the same deal, more or less. I was thankful that during all my time as a professional that I never played a club as a guest of the pro and was asked what I thought about a less than stellar course. It would have put me in a tough situation.

[Sam Morrow]

Just tell them that you enjoyed the company, if the guy was a dick and the course was bad you can tell them to go piss up a rope.

[Philippe Binette]

well, it's not what I would have done (RW)

[Tim Nugent]

Not being known for my political  correctness, I would probably assume that one never asks a question if he doesn't want to hear the answer.  So, to get out of sticking my foot in my mouth,  I'd ask him what were his favorite aspects and why.  Then ask him "what if..." It's amazing how many times you can see the light  bulb go on ".... I never looked at it that way....". 

If it was to comment on another architects work, probably be on the same page as Ian. At that point  it's all about preference. And, even at that point, even if you point out the errors of their way, it's not likely they would A)admit you were right or B) do anything about it.

[David_Elvins]

If you are an architect and are hosted at a course by a proud member and you do not like the course, what do you say when the member asks "What do you think?"

Am not an architect but in this situation I normally insult their wife.  they take it a lot better.

[Jon Spaulding]

"Sean Leahy would absolutely love this place".

[Jason Topp]

If you are an architect and are hosted at a course by a proud member and you do not like the course, what do you say when the member asks "What do you think?"

Am not an architect but in this situation I normally insult their wife.  they take it a lot better.

 

[Dan Boerger]

Tom Doak -- Good for you!

If someone asks for an opinion, I would hope they would be mature enough to weather an honest answer and, perhaps more importantly, understand that it's all just an opinion.