[Sean_A]

I don't give Muirfield the kudos of the loop in a loop design because it was done not long before at Stoneham.  Colt somehow stole Willie Park Jr' thunder likely because of the Open status of Muirfield. 

I think my favourite routing is Ballybunion.  Its wonderful how three short holes; 8, 13 & 15 lurch the course in seemingly unexpected directions, but allows for multiple visits to the seaside.  The same is true of the 16th which allows a last visit to the seaside for the 17th.   

I also think Pennard is a wonderful routing.  It gets the golfer round a harsh site with minimal climbing.  Both loops make it back to the house (fairly rare for links).  The routing allows for maximum views from either nine.  Several dramatic and memorable shots are set-up.  The golfer has to attack the wind from all directions. 

Ciao       

[Jaeger Kovich]

Matt, Im not sure I'd through Mid-Pines in the mix before No. 2,

Sure the routing on Pinehurst's best has changed since its opening, Ross worked on it himself for a good 30 years, but there are no real weaknesses in my mind. Green to tee walks are very short, even for a classic that has been lengthened a bit for championship play. The playing corridors here are plenty wide and rarely are balls lost, a fabulous trait for a tree lined course. Ross doesn't squeeze 1,9,10 and 18 in front of a clubhouse, it wanders around finding the pines looking for optimal strategic interest. The course is constantly changing directions, even the stretch with 4 straight par-4's all play in different directions. There are some many great stretches you could argue all day where the best 3 consecutive holes on the course are. Due to its location and routed for strategic purposes rather than aesthetic, the flow of a round here is one of my favorites.

One thing I noticed when thinking about my favorite Tillinghast (my fav classic arch) courses, that routings are not his strong point. WF, Baltusrol and Ridgewood are to impersonal and can be cramped individually although amazing design given the task of creating multiple courses. QR has a Murifield routing but with the  first 8 holes OB right, even I wouldnt argue the routing great. BPB crosses roads and is a noted hard walk, although Tilly definitely figures out to use the best parts of the property here very well. Im not a big fan of the overlaps and crossovers at Fenway... Im interested to see SF and Somerset, I have a feeling they may be his best routing efforts.

From what I've read, seems like a few Maxwell routings probably belong on this thread for incorporating local high points into his minimalist design and the pin wheel layouts too.

[Tom_Doak]

One thing I noticed when thinking about my favorite Tillinghast (my fav classic arch) courses, that routings are not his strong point. WF, Baltusrol and Ridgewood are to impersonal and can be cramped individually although amazing design given the task of creating multiple courses. QR has a Murifield routing but with the  first 8 holes OB right, even I wouldnt argue the routing great. BPB crosses roads and is a noted hard walk, although Tilly definitely figures out to use the best parts of the property here very well. Im not a big fan of the overlaps and crossovers at Fenway... Im interested to see SF and Somerset, I have a feeling they may be his best routing efforts.

Interestingly, if Somerset Hills has a flaw [and as its consulting architect, I use the term very tentatively], it is that some holes are too close together, rather than too far apart.  There's really no place to put in a back tee on #9, where the cross bunker is now too short off the tee, because of the proximity to #8 and to a local street.  But, the proximity of 1, 9 and 10 to the pro shop is amazing, and the 18th finishes just on the other side of the clubhouse.

[Matt_Ward]

Tom D:

And the 18th at SH is really a dull closer.

[John Shimp]

I think shinnecock is hard to beat. I love the way the prevailing wind (typically off the ocean therefore usually play holes 2, 3, 12, 14 with) seems to be taken into account and all of the changes f direction in the routing. Each 9 has at least one hole e, w, n, s.  I also like the way the hills are used (1,2,3,9,10,11,12,14,15,18).  Just a great routing.  All around invigorating golf.

[Jason Topp]

After thinking about this for a few days, my answer is -- I don't have a clue.  I can't differentiate between a great routing and a great golf course. 

My knowledge about routing is pretty much limited to obvious examples of bad routing - such as long green to tee walks or the fact they wasted all of the oceanside property on Poipu Bay on a three hole downwind stretch at the end.

[Willie_Dow]

The best routed courses are those you can remember every hole you have played.

Pete Dye has one here in Vero Beach - The Moorings - every hole was in my mind after playing my first round.

I think Alice had something to say !

[jim_lewis]

Willie:

Using the criterion you suggest, I can't imagine a better example than Pine Valley. I think that most people who play it only once can remember every hole (and most every shot) months, or even years, later.

[mike_beene]

carnoustie is interesting because the holes change directions on a fairly open property and still feel separate.I have never had trouble remembering the holes there.

[Scott Warren]

New South Wales GC
For a windy site, I love the fact the four par threes and four par fives each face to different compass points.
I love the way the routing takes you to the seaside at 5/6, then back inland before returning to the coastline at 13/14.
Also, it's clever the way 14 (a short four) and 15 (a very long four) play in opposite directions, likewise the short par five 5th (unless in a southerly) and longish par four 7th playing in opposite directions in quick succession.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Amazing to me how many of the classic old school golf course are being mentioned here and so few new courses.
I understand the need fro housing on most new deals and thus a less afvourable routing.
To my mind newer routings like Ballyneal and Sand Hills deserve alot of praise for the ease of flow they both represent and in addition to sme of those already mentiones Garden City Mens Club, superb routing.
All the par threes run in different directions, tees and green sclose to one another..perfect.

[C. Squier]

Michael, you're right....not many modern examples.  However, I felt that Hidden Creek's routing was outstanding when I played it.  Friars Head ain't to shabby either.  Those two just off the top of my head. 

[Tom MacWood]

There are different kinds of great routing, to me.
 
Great routing on great property: Shinnecock Hills, Muirfield etc...

Great routing on difficult property: Montebello, Capilano

Great routing on no property (small site): Merion would get the nod

I like the way Philippe differentiated the routings. Which is the most challenging?

Under the difficult property category I add Cape Breton Highlands and Yale. Stanley Thompson made a career laying out courses on difficult sites.

[Jim McCann]

In GB&I, I think the following half dozen courses are exceptionally well routed:

Scotland - Muirfield and Gleneagles (Kings) with honourable mentions to second tier personal favourites at Elie and Irvine.

England - Sunningdale (Old) and (New) with Ganton and Royal Birkdale not far behind (if not in front, now that I think on it).

Ireland - Lahinch and Enniscrone, with the European Club just out of the frame.
       

[Anthony Gray]

  The figure 8 routings around the water.Pebble Beach..Teeth of the Dog..Whistling Straits..CRUDEN BAY.

  Anthony

[JNC Lyon]

I love the routing at Garden City.  The course starts in the noisy, bustling town center, with the Garden City Hotel as a backdrop.  The first three holes are very close together and tight to the property boundaries.  This part of the course is a bit noisy and seems a hub of activity.  Everything changes when the golfer rounds the corner and gets to the 4th tee.  The noise quiets down, and the course opens up onto the Hempstead Plain.  From here, the routing slashes back and forth across the gentle land forms of the plain.  The course constantly switches directions to bring in new challenges from the wind on every hole.  At the 11th green, the course begins a slow march back toward the club, broken up by the switchbacks of the 14th and 15th holes.  The 16th hole brings the golfer to the end of the plain.  17 finds the course wedged back into the town of Garden City, with the road and Garden City High hard right off the tee.  The brilliant Eden par-three 18th finishes directly on the clubhouse porch, attached to the practice putting green and next to the first (or 19th) tee.

The routing at Garden City has it all: changes of scenery, changes of direction, the best use of an awkward property, endless configurations for late afternoon rounds, and a homeward march that will lend drama to any match.  Garden City's style of starting and ending in a town, with the outlying holes as a total escape from the world, recalls the best links courses in England (particularly Deal and Burnham and Berrow) and Scotland (North Berwick, Royal Dornoch, Brora).

[Patrick_Mucci]

Matt Ward,

I'm surprised you and others chose Merion.

I've always felt the crossovers were a negative, especially when you had to walk through the clubhouse.

Others were terribly critical of the original crossovers at Atlantic, but, gave Merion a pass.

I don't think anyone argues that Merion is a terrific golf course, but, I still view the crossovers as debits.

[Adam Clayman]

Matt Ward,

I'm surprised you and others chose Merion.

I've always felt the crossovers were a negative, especially when you had to walk through the clubhouse.

Others were terribly critical of the original crossovers at Atlantic, but, gave Merion a pass.

I don't think anyone argues that Merion is a terrific golf course, but, I still view the crossovers as debits.

I'm in agreement with Patrick on being surprised by Merion's mention. While I consider the course to be one of the 10 best I've ever played, the walk to 14 tee is most awkward.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Jim Lewis,

Hard to go wrong with Wanamoisett.

But, Ross's other gem, Seminole would get my vote.

The use of the two major ridges, the transitioning into and out of those ridges is quite clever, as is the use of the water features.

When you consider that the site is usually swept with good winds, from 360 degrees, and that the course retains its overall tactical balance/challenge, irrespective of wind direction, speaks to the genius of the routing.

[Sean Leary]

Matt Ward,

I'm surprised you and others chose Merion.

I've always felt the crossovers were a negative, especially when you had to walk through the clubhouse.

Others were terribly critical of the original crossovers at Atlantic, but, gave Merion a pass.

I don't think anyone argues that Merion is a terrific golf course, but, I still view the crossovers as debits.

I'm in agreement with Patrick on being surprised by Merion's mention. While I consider the course to be one of the 10 best I've ever played, the walk to 14 tee is most awkward.

Pacific Dunes has an awkward crossover as well and has been mentioned a few times too.....

[Bill_McBride]

  The figure 8 routings around the water.Pebble Beach..Teeth of the Dog..Whistling Straits..CRUDEN BAY.

  Anthony

Pebble Beach really could be the most creative routing of all, with the way Neville and Grant start off inland, emerge onto the water at 4 and then 6-10, duck inland for several holes and emerge onto the coast again for the 17-18 finish.  It's brilliant how they used that twisted figure 8 to such great advantage.   

The relocation of 5 makes it 7 straight holes along the cliffs, but this benefit is offset by the big hike back to the sixth tee.

[Sean Leary]

  The figure 8 routings around the water.Pebble Beach..Teeth of the Dog..Whistling Straits..CRUDEN BAY.

  Anthony

Pebble Beach really could be the most creative routing of all, with the way Neville and Grant start off inland, emerge onto the water at 4 and then 6-10, duck inland for several holes and emerge onto the coast again for the 17-18 finish.  It's brilliant how they used that twisted figure 8 to such great advantage.   

The relocation of 5 makes it 7 straight holes along the cliffs, but this benefit is offset by the big hike back to the sixth tee.

Uh, oh. Flowus Interruptus rears its ugly head again....

[Scott Warren]

Ireland - Lahinch and Enniscrone, with the European Club just out of the frame.   

Jim,

What is it about TEC's routing that impresses you so greatly?

[Alex Miller]

Matt Ward,

I'm surprised you and others chose Merion.

I've always felt the crossovers were a negative, especially when you had to walk through the clubhouse.

Others were terribly critical of the original crossovers at Atlantic, but, gave Merion a pass.

I don't think anyone argues that Merion is a terrific golf course, but, I still view the crossovers as debits.

I'm in agreement with Patrick on being surprised by Merion's mention. While I consider the course to be one of the 10 best I've ever played, the walk to 14 tee is most awkward.

Pacific Dunes has an awkward crossover as well and has been mentioned a few times too.....

Where's the awkward crossover at PD? I don't remember one...

[mark chalfant]

Prairie Dunes,    for the way it hugs the land and for the variety of par fours

Metacomet in RI, remarkable use of ravines/gullys/swales  on 93 acres

Garden City,  for  its intimacy and for the reasons that JNC Lyon so nicely outlined

Royal Dornoch for its green sites   

[Tags:]

Tags:

[Tags:]

Tags:

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()