I fear that we have forgotten that the game at hand is GOLF. A game that normally requires the players to combat the land as well as the Designer’s cunning. I feel that the Designer has failed, himself, his client and the game of golf (unless instructed to do so by an ignorant owner/club committee) if he allows the long aerial drive to continue on its path uninterrupted. Gentlemen that’s the sole purpose of a Design to test the players, but we have become so scared of upsetting golfers who seem to want it easy, because of that most important of golfing trophies ones score.
Chase your tail for your great scores or lower handicap and watch your game lose all its fun and enjoyment on the way. Of course that does not apply if playing golf is how you make your money, because you are heading head first into being a Tiger Mark 2, - will not be long before first the spitting, swearing then throwing the clubs followed by rather piss poor performance, but if that your life, you can keep it because it is only applicable to a hand full of players.
Come on guys break through this testosterone barrier when it come to your score, pursue it and become a dickhead, let it go and you may well be surprised that you have played better than ever before as no pressure from that sodding Scorecard. Nevertheless the course must represent a challenge, it’s the first line of defence, of players enjoyment and I sincerely believe that both clubs/owners and designers have a very serious duty of care when it comes to our courses. There are many options at the beck and call of the Designer, from the old bunkers through to many other man made hazards. One I love is the old dry stone walls located in the right area forcing a player to plan their shots, not just hit the wham bam thank you Mam scenario we get today.
In my book long drives are of no use on a golf course, they defeat the basics of the game by using brawn in place of brain as well as removing much of the course from the playing zone, which still has to be paid for in maintenance etc. costs.
One day, many a golfer may realise that golf is about using one mind not physical power, it really is a game of chess but on a much larger scale. The course dictates the time to attack, defend, to move forward or hold firm. It’s not about Island Greens, Greens and/or fairways surrounded by bunkers, not forgetting the golfers aid those ‘shallow bunkers’ or protecting a Green with additional bunkers to the rear, lets the wayward ball find its own resting place, all alas is just down to piss poor design.
I firmly believe that Designers need to use their skills and force a stop to the long aerial drives off the Tees and fairways, but in hazards that really test the players. If they want to try that approach and yes make it bloody penal. I love watching skilled golfer finding themselves in surprising locations (for various reason, not just a result of poor shot) then watch some work out their next shot and how to combat this error, surprisingly how many just hit hell out of the next ball believing in power over thought, alas to find themselves still in the sh&t. Roll back, yes but the Designers have it in their ability if only their Clients could actually understand the game.
Easy has hurt the game since WW2, it continues to do so, but when even sites like GCA.com can’t or won’t get together to form a united front, what else do you expect.
The answer as always lies in good quality honest design and re-introducing some of the old design features. The balls are round, they are meant to roll, so let them do so freely pressurising the player to control is game.
Stop pampering to the poor golfer (whatever his scorecard may say).
Melvyn