"Better layouts=better golf": Ogilvy

[ward peyronnin]

I have been pleasantly surprised at Geoff Ogilvys " fiinal say" column at the back of Golfworld; he gets it and writes thoughtfully ( esp for a jock)'

The latest issues feature confidential ratings of the PGA tour course venues and the old courses rise to the top thankfully. Geoff writes along this theme "how much more interesting golf is when played on a great course" voicing much the same sentiment most on these pages share.

Let us ignore the fact that the Tour is unlikely to compromise the TPC money making turn they have so carefully built and consider whether his statement is really true for the tour and its customers.

Sure the spectators can see the shotmaking and strategy required by "great" venues as defined by the survey but isn't the real product a made for television and  sporting event?

So my question regards the observation that we would all agree with Geoff but does better golf as he is describing translate into a better broadcast product AND are the limitations of television such that they would not be able to capture that better product?


Charlie Rhymer where are you?

[Doug Wright]

Ward unfortunately Geoff's opinion doesn't really matter. The Tour is going where the $$ is and could give a damn about architecture. The USGA at least is trying with Chambers Bay and Erin Hills.

[ward peyronnin]

I tried to qualify the question in light of that Doug. Golfworld did their survey in spite of your dismassal of the relvance.

Sometimes theoretical questions and answers do eventually drive real decisions

[PCCraig]

Ward,

I agree. I really enjoy his column in Golf World and find it to be a breath of fresh air! Coupled with pictures of his and Mike Clayton's work in Australia it's easy to say that he "gets it."  I wouldn't be shocked to hear that he reads GCA every once in a while.

Back to his "Better layouts=better golf" comment, I completely agree. Just look at the difference between Kapalua and the Sony Open. The Sony Open was interesting for about 10 min as the course, from TV, looks the same from almost every camera angle. When players play a boring course, they generally play a boring game by hitting the same type of shots over and over. When they play interesting courses with strategy, they try to play to their strengths and actually think their way around the golf course a bit....much more interesting from a viewer's perspective.

[Jud_T]

Wait till we see some of the recovery shots at the Open at Pinehurst and you'll have you're answer.