[John Chilver-Stainer]

I’m harping on an old favourite here – but why not?

If  “firm and fast” is the mantra, but wedges into Par 4’s or 2 shots into Par 5’s are considered non “de rigeur”, then the dilemma is perfect. Brick hard fairways tend to deliver plus 300 yard drives or much more, leaving the wedge second shot.

Rather than putting the tees further back what should be done?

The answer - ditches ŕ la Carnoustie demanding distance control (the dreaded lay-up)  or “no argument” bunkers like the Cardinal or Hells Half Acre. Or one of my favourites – just ending the fairway early like Woodhall Spa with a berm or a stone wall in North Berwick.

So rather than add tees further back to increase the distance, why not start blocking off the fairways like our old favourites?

Are there any modern designs emplying these attributes?

[Jon Wiggett]

John,

I now firmly believe that distance does not make it harder for the top players which when realised by developers and GCAs will be a positive thing as it should spell the end of the 7500+ yarder

How about designing greens that are easier to play to with a running shot rather than an aerial one? It would be good to see more running approaches played.

Jon

[Sean_A]

Nothing wrong with a dead end fairway or two, but its no god-sent solution to smash mouth golf.

Ciao

[Jon Wiggett]

Nothing wrong with a dead end fairway or two, but its no god-sent solution to smash mouth golf.

Ciao

Sean,

I agree if there is a reason such as a wall as in North Berwick or a burn as in Carnoustie but just having a strip of rough across the fairway is pretty lame IMHO. I do like a berm or mini alps as used so often by GCA's prior to the 1930's

Jon

[Ally Mcintosh]

Nothing wrong with a dead end fairway or two, but its no god-sent solution to smash mouth golf.

Ciao

Sean,

I agree if there is a reason such as a wall as in North Berwick or a burn as in Carnoustie but just having a strip of rough across the fairway is pretty lame IMHO. I do like a berm or mini alps as used so often by GCA's prior to the 1930's

Jon

It works quite well on a few heathland courses but the strip is always heather (which looks better), quite often mixed with sand and frequently at a natural break in the topography.

[Bill_McBride]

Worst ever was Vaderamma during Seve's Ryder Cup.  Blocked the fairway with deep rough, stifling the longer hitting US players.  Tiger backed at least one wedge into the fronting water hazard. 

[Jay Flemma]

Pete Dye said he'll sometimes run a burn around a portion of a fwy to block guys trying to drive it 300.  Personally I like making greens smaller.  They can bomb it all they want, but can they get up and down when they miss the green:)

[Colin Macqueen]

Gentlemen,

I am all for the occasional ha-ha, embankment, burn or dyke but I was mulling over an ancient thread "Crinkliness versus Smoothness" (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,5230.0.html) and wondered if the following approach could entice the architect.

Re-introduce, with a vengeance, the "crinkly" fairway, with the venerable Smith's potato crisp profile (now possibly extinct!), in the area where the "bombers" may reach and just beyond a choice landing zone. The bombers then have to show prowess with their short irons from varied, devilish and interesting lies whilst precision in reaching the landing zone will allow a fine exhibition of mid-iron play.

Cheers Colin

[John Chilver-Stainer]

Colin,

I vaguely remember Seve, as consultant redesigner, using this trick at Valderama when it used to host the Volvo Masters final event of the European PGA Tour.

The Par 5 17th was generally attacked in 2 shots and when Jiminez took the hole apart in 1994 with an Albatros and an Eagle I can imagine Seve, felt it was time to make it difficult for the long drivers so he added a herd of mounds and bumps in the landing zone. As well as some other controversial adjustments
 
The original course was constructed in the early 70’s by Robert Trent Jones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZq2djiRo6Q&feature=endscreen&NR=1

[George Freeman]

Pete Dye said he'll sometimes run a burn around a portion of a fwy to block guys trying to drive it 300.  Personally I like making greens smaller.  They can bomb it all they want, but can they get up and down when they miss the green:)

That doesn't do much good for the 18 handicap...

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