Proper tree usage for a Parkland course.

[mike_malone]

  After a few days walking all over Aronimink I can confidently say they are a prime example of how trees are to be used on a parkland course.

      First of all, they have eliminated all of the evergreens which obscured views and allowed no recovery.

      Secondly , they trimmed up the hardwoods to allow air and sun on the course and to allow for the recovery shot.

      Thirdly, the trees are really bunkers in the sky. They knock balls down but don't otherwise penalize.


   Yesterday had one classic example. On #6 Tiger blasted his drive over the trees on the right of an uphill dogleg right 400 yard hole to 59 yards from the green. He then hit one of the most incredible shots----he failed to make the green!

  Scott McCarron hit the trees and fell back to 150 yards from the green. He then threaded one between two trees and ran it up on the green.

    I saw several examples of how the trees either cost the player significant yardage or difficult recovery shots.

    So, on a parkland course trees should be trimmed up and  underbrush removed to allow for golf to happen.

[TEPaul]

I pretty much agree with you AKA Mayday. However, when one says that trees should be "trimmed up" to allow for golf to happen, there most certainly is the matter of HOW HIGH. Some think, and perhaps to some extent even Aronimink's architect, that perhaps in some cases the trimming up may've gotten a bit too high. 

[Jeff_Brauer]

I agree, but will add that many hardwoods are trimmed up for clearance reasons, just above head hieght of a man on a tractor.......I recall looking back while mowing rough at Glencoe Golf Club in 1973 and knocking myself right off a tractor when my head hit a low hanging branch.

[mike_malone]

 I might add that providing shade is important and also allowing wind to move through the course rather than being restricted.

[Adam Clayman]

Mayday,
 There's lots of very good reasons and ways to improve the over treed course. You've covered most of them, but I feel there's still more to learn for most.
I play one here in town, and it's a joke how much they (the trees) adversely affect the enjoyment. Yes, there are instances where the recovery is challenging, but for the most part it proves nobody knows when to say when, (or where) on plantings.

Maybe there's a book in it for someone?