How do you create GREAT optical illusions ?

[TEPaul]

Some day, in some way, I'd like to see something (for instance) like a par 3 that's near 200 yds long that appears to be near 100 yds long! How could it be done? Not really sure but probably through the interesting use of both topography and scale!

[ginger1]

My favorite optical illusion in golf in the approach to #1 at George Wright Golf Course in the city of Boston, MA. Its a  Donald Ross false front that extends 65 feet forward of the putting surface on this mid length par 4.
I have played this hole many times and this deceptive view causes one to under club by one or two clubs. As a golf course design/builder I am amazed at how the Ross foreman got the elevation just right to make the illusion work. A straight flat grade would not work, the builder tweaked the grade so it looks like a golf green.
Hey golf architecture fans, you should see this course,a Donald Ross design in the middle of the city of Boston, owned by the city. Its unadulturated Ross, without any ego driven green committee modifications. It was almost shut down a few years ago, now it is maintained by the city.

[Patrick_Mucci]

DMoriarty,

With my vision still impaired, I don't know if I would receive the same signals with 20-20 vision.  As to future play, it will be interesting, but, now that I know the bunker is behind the green, I'll not need be concerned about clearing a bunker that isn't there, and will err on the short, not the long side.

Everything about a golf course influences my play, unless I'm in a fog, physically and/or mentally.

In thinking about this feature, I feel that the key is a seemless transition from the front of the back bunker into the green surface, with the front green surface folding down and away into a fairway depression, creating the illusion that the bunker is in front of the green when in reality it is at the rear of the green.  It was a unique configuration and experience.

I'm surprised it isn't done more often.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

What about the third at Pasatiempo?

[Patrick_Mucci]

Tommy Naccarato,

I've never played Pasatiempo.

Could you describe it ?

And, what is and what creates the optical illusion

[DMoriarty]

As to future play, it will be interesting, but, now that I know the bunker is behind the green, I'll not need be concerned about clearing a bunker that isn't there, and will err on the short, not the long side.

Patrick,

It seems that golfers and instructors always advise the golfer to "pick a target."   While you now "know" in your head that the bunker is behind the green, will you be able to pick an actual physical target, or will it be a matter of what you know trying to overcome what you see?    

I dont really expect an answer, but nonetheless ask the question because I think it may get at something fundamental to a good "optical illusion."   Even though a golfer may "know" that the view is an illusion, the view may still put the golfer in the uncomfortable position of having to execute a shot which is contrary to what his eyes see.   In this day of elevated tees and complete and total visibility, shots which mess with the golfer's perspective are a nice change.  

[Mike Benham]

Tommy Naccarato,

I've never played Pasatiempo.

Could you describe it ?

And, what is and what creates the optical illusion

Patrick - here is a link to Carylyle's excellant website.  This is the  par-3 3rd hole mentioned by Tommy.

http://www.golfarch.com/Pasatiempo/pasa_03.asp

[Patrick_Mucci]

DMoriarty,

Because the pin is visible, it would become my aiming point, adjusted for extreme left or right positions.

Mike,

Thanks for the link to the picture, it's a neat looking hole.

But, what creates the optical illusion, and, is the photo taken at the golfers eye level ?

[Eric Pevoto]

I think the use of the copse of trees behind the 232 yard, uphill 17th at French Creek is interesting.  They are at least 250 yards beyond the green, but along with the big cross bunker and horizon green, do a number on depth perception.




Just beyond cross bunker


Chipping area behind green

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Patrick,
Pasatiempo #3 is a very deceptive hole with all sorts of illusions that make it seem much closer then it actually is. I actually almost think I shouldn't tell you what to expect there in hopes the you get to experience it the same way I did some 15-16 years ago, because Pasatiempo is loaded with all sorts of tricks and gadgets.

The entire site is located on a rather large side of a hill rolling downward. The actual fall is almost unnoticable from anywhere on the course, until you walk to the highest point--from the green @#11 to 12th tee. Where this figures at #3 is that the tee is near the lowest point of the course, and the green is situated quite uphill and you just really can't tell how far uphill. On first try, I think most will admit that it throws you for a loop to see yourself come-up rather short, figuring you had more then enough club. As in Carlyle's image, it doesn't look like a very long par three at all--IT IS.

[T_MacWood]

With yardage information so common, creating illusion is almost obsolete. The one place it can still be done is on the greens. Ross had an uncanny ability to build greens...often on sloping property...that produced optical illusions. Putts will often appear to break up hill...The Broadmoor and Westbrook in Ohio are two that come to mind.

[wsmorrison]

William Flynn used optical illusions on greens that are quite sophisticated.  The 3rd hole at Rolling Green is one of the best examples I know.  I don't know how to post photographs but it can be seen in the My Home Course section.  It is a short downhill par 3.  There is a false front that adds to the perceptual miscue.  Only the first 1/5 of the green slopes back to front.  The remainder of the green has a slight slope front to back.  He used the angles of built up surrounds to further the impression that the green slopes back to front, that along with the general downward flow of the ground fools the eye to thinking that the green slopes severely back to front when it does not.  In fact, the ball runs from front right to back left, even with lofted irons when the greens run typically firm.

Yesterday at the Senior PA Amateur, I saw nearly every chip and put from the front of the green fly by the hole toward the back of the green.  Even after this miscue the players were short coming back to the hole.  The majority could not accept the fact that the seemingly uphill putt was faster than imagined.  They certainly were not convinced as the return putts that look fast but were not almost always came up well short.  Many players walk off that green with a dazed look on their face, it is that hard to read correctly.

[david h. carroll]

Geoff--you know, we need guys like you to educate our caddies down at BCC ...also I think the hole you mentioned was 12.

[RJ_Daley]

Somehow, I missed this thread a month ago.  Great explanations Dunlop, and very good pictorial demonstration Eric.  Nothing to add, just good stuff guys!