[Mike Hendren]

Or if you prefer, what it its highest and best use? - or maybe its higher and better uses?

[Bradley Anderson]

Among other things the green is a surface for rolling the ball.

A a superintendent I have taken interest in thinking of my work as providing the conditions that allow for every dynamic of the ball, e.g flight, bounce and roll. Balls bounce better on firm fairways than they do on soft fairways. The ball rolls better on fast greens than slow greens.

So I see the green as a place where the rolling dynamic of what the ball does comes in to play. The future of the game is going to expand on this concept by making the ball roll on the embankments of the greens. I played Old Elm last summer and this concept is presented there probably better than any course currently.

The green is also a target and the pitch and cant of the surface should set up to reward the best angle of approach. That effects the placement of the tee shot. So the green defines every shot on the course leading to the target.

[Lou_Duran]

Great topic Bogey.  Hard to beat first reply by Bradley.

To the extent that this is true: "The green is also a target and the pitch and cant of the surface should set up to reward the best angle of approach. That effects the placement of the tee shot. So the green defines every shot on the course leading to the target." what role does the set-up of the tees and hole locations play in presenting the course at its best?  Should this responsibility (set-up) be given higher attention, say on par with the planning and execution of important maintenance practices such as chemical applications and aeration?

At far too many courses I play, the location of tees and holes seem to have little relation to weather conditions or type of play.  Tees are generally forwards of most plates, sometimes by 20 or more yards, with a rote short-middle-back hole locations six times (with the exception of the few that the hole-cutter forgets or doesn't get to).     

[Peter Pallotta]

Bogey - I think the green is that place on the field of play that separates golf from every other game/sport in the world, and gives the game its special and beloved character. It is on the green where every single golfer, very young or very old, a frail and nervous beginner or a strong and confident champion finds themselves in exactly the same situation and are judged in exactly the same way: that 1 foot putt can be made or not, and that 'stroke' counts just as much a 300 yard drive or 150 yard approach. It really is crazy, if you think of it, and I bet that over the years it has driven many a great golfer more than a little bit crazy at the thought; but it is inherent in the nature of the game.  Like it or not, the green is (and should be) the "great equalizer" in golf.

Peter  

[Bill_McBride]

Is there anything more fun than having the opportunity to play a really cool chip or putt a few times with no one in the fairway waiting for you to finish the hole?

Shots I'm thinking if.....

Putting around the bunker at #6 at Riviera.

Pitching over the green at #18 at the Valley Club to a back pin, and running up to see where the ball finished after rolling back down the hill.

Putting well away from the hole at #12 or 7 at Ballyneal to get close.  

Seen on TV, the crazy putts on #14 at Augusta.  

Is the green the playground of golf?

[Alex Miller]

Great question!

I think Peter and Lou have cited important aspects being both an equalizer and source of strategy. I would add that the green(s) gives a course character, both in how strategy is dictated and visual presentation. A green will make or break the quality of a golf hole, and although generally only one type of shot can be played from it, I would say that it represents the idea that the best golf is played on short grass. As Bill points out, if it is a good one there is often room for creativity as well. I'm not sure its importance can be overstated...

[Mike Hendren]

Bump, if for no other reason than to assist in relegating the annual Flemma-Fest to the second page.  If you prefer, what does the golf architect intend to accomplish with the green?

Bogey

[Lou_Duran]

If you prefer, what does the golf architect intend to accomplish with the green?

Bogey

Depends on the architect.  Hal Sutton at Boot Ranch wants to reward shot making with perfectly conditioned greens that have relatively minor break.  Tom Doak, in my opinion, introduces the element of luck to a great extent on shots to the green and thereafter- channeling an approach 1' on one side of a greenside ridge or mound into a difficult bunker, while another 1' on the other side to tap-in length- and at times embarrasses me on the green complexes.  Depending on the course and probably the client (e.g. Dallas National vs. Vaquero), Fazio sometimes tests all aspects of the game at a very high level (DN), while other times provides more of a good club player examination (Vaquero).  MacKenzie at Pasatiempo with today's speeds just punishes the visitor, while at CPC and the VC, he was much kinder.  Most of Tillie's courses seem more balanced; ditto for Thomas.    

[Greg Tallman]

Different on each hole of a well designed course is it not?

[Tom_Doak]

If you prefer, what does the golf architect intend to accomplish with the green?

Bogey

Depends on the architect.  Hal Sutton at Boot Ranch wants to reward shot making with perfectly conditioned greens that have relatively minor break.  Tom Doak, in my opinion, introduces the element of luck to a great extent on shots to the green and thereafter- channeling an approach 1' on one side of a greenside ridge or mound into a difficult bunker, while another 1' on the other side to tap-in length- and at times embarrasses me on the green complexes.  Depending on the course and probably the client (e.g. Dallas National vs. Vaquero), Fazio sometimes tests all aspects of the game at a very high level (DN), while other times provides more of a good club player examination (Vaquero).  MacKenzie at Pasatiempo with today's speeds just punishes the visitor, while at CPC and the VC, he was much kinder.  Most of Tillie's courses seem more balanced; ditto for Thomas.    

Lou:

Maybe you should play further to the side you want to be on, instead of playing right toward a ridge or mound in the green.  Then you would not have to rely so much on "luck".

[Lou_Duran]

Of course you are right, Tom.  I've been trying to get better for over 40 years so that I could hit a short iron within a few yards of my aim.  Alas, I must not be a good student of the game because, for the most part, I've failed miserably.  But even if could develop Normanesque skills (he once claimed that he could hit an iron to something like 2' of his desired distance), I can't see well enough to know where the ridge or bumps are located, and my memory to draw from prior year's experience is even worse.  Nonetheless, I enjoy your golf courses very much and hope that some day you will get the chance to build one in my neck of the woods.

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