fill in the blanks: "Royal Melbourne reminds me of....

[PThomas]

______________ [state the course(s)] because __________________"

[George Pazin]

Augusta before the addition of rough and more trees.

Probably because it seems to provide great width while using great green complexes to create interest.

[RJ_Daley]

All of the Sand Hill courses, Bally, Wild Horse, Bayside, SHGC, Prairie Club, and DR.  Because, of firm-fast-width, options, bunker array including some fall-in close to the greens, contours, and even some de-greening fast and contoured putts,  and sand base.

Rustic Canyon may also remind me, but then I never played RM....

Each have a little something different.  Many except the pines course at PC, don't have the inclusion of some trees as strategy consideration. 

[Pete Lavallee]

We discussed this during golf on Sun. I suggested Augusta, but my buddy Sam countered that Augusta was not raw enough to compare with RM. We both decided that the new raw look, bermuda fairways and crowned greens of Pinehurst #2 were the closest we can come here in the US of A.

[Ian Andrew]

Prairie Dunes

1. The incorporation of native plants into the design
2. The blur between golf and natural areas
3. The emphasis on very strong green contours
4. The width off the tee
5. The fact that the bunkering incorporates the native plants giving both courses a special sense of place
6. The short grass around the greens for recovery options
7. Turf maintained tight to bunkers
8. The modest length of the course despite being tough as nails for a good player
9. The fact that an average player is able to get around the course comfortably
10. The strength of the par threes on both courses

[Tom ORourke]

Shinnecock Hills. Natural, flowing, great greens, the need to shape shots.

[Bill McKinley]

Seminole because of the greens, they had a similar tint to RM's when I played it and some of the bunkering is similar to me, but I have never played RM.

[Bill Brightly]

Shinnecock. Majestic setting. Great use of width. Seemingly plenty of room to drive the ball, but always a preferred angle to play from that is not readily apparent without knowing the course. Great green movement.

[John Mayhugh]

Prairie Dunes

1. The incorporation of native plants into the design
2. The blur between golf and natural areas
3. The emphasis on very strong green contours
4. The width off the tee
5. The fact that the bunkering incorporates the native plants giving both courses a special sense of place
6. The short grass around the greens for recovery options
7. Turf maintained tight to bunkers
8. The modest length of the course despite being tough as nails for a good player
9. The fact that an average player is able to get around the course comfortably
10. The strength of the par threes on both courses

Thanks for that.  I like your thinking.

Now, a question:  would Prairie Dunes be better with less gunsch?

[Sean Leary]

John,

Without question. I believe it keeps PD from being in the very most upper tier of courses in the world. I look at the old pictures and wonder what could be.

[C. Squier]

I watched the coverage as well thinking how many characteristics RM shares with Prairie Dunes.

I don't mind the gunsch as much as Sean, but I'd be up for a thinning of it. A few days in shorts at the Dunes can be heck on your legs!

[Ian Andrew]

I don't mind the gunsch as much as Sean, but I'd be up for a thinning of it.

This is more than rough. It's a native tall grass prairie which has been actively cultivated by Stan George over a long time. I think it represents one of the larger remaining areas of native prairie grass.

[C. Squier]

I don't mind the gunsch as much as Sean, but I'd be up for a thinning of it.

This is more than rough. It's a native tall grass prairie which has been actively cultivated by Stan George over a long time. I think it represents one of the larger remaining areas of native prairie grass.

I fully realize that. I'm just saying I wish some of the heavier areas would be thinned out. Much of it isn't grass, but bush.

[Sean Leary]

I watched the coverage as well thinking how many characteristics RM shares with Prairie Dunes.

I don't mind the gunsch as much as Sean, but I'd be up for a thinning of it. A few days in shorts at the Dunes can be heck on your legs!

We are actually copacetic on this Clint. Corridors are fine, its the density of the gunsch..