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Mike Sweeney

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Rank Trump's courses
« Reply #25 on: December 28, 2018, 08:57:34 AM »

I believe 8,000+ yard courses are in our near future, if there is any concrete evidence supporting otherwise I'd be thrilled to learn?


8000+ yard courses are here:


https://www.golf.com/courses-and-travel/2018/04/24/let-big-dog-eat-myrtle-beach-course-extended-8100-yards


The fact that one out of roughly 80+ courses in Myrtle Beach (used to be 100 courses, I think) went that direction is smart to me. They positioned themselves in this niche market for young low handicap players. When it gets to 10 courses, then you have a movement, imo. I believe the cost/economics of doing this (maintenance, additional land, taxes...) will keep this to a small number of courses. Why would I pay $$$ to play a Doak 5 course from the 8000 yard back tees that I don't need?


My son is insanely long now and also insanely wild. He can't really play 8000 yard golf courses yet, but he will get better when he moves to Florida next summer. Thus, I do see the need for 8000+ courses, I just question how many.


I just got fitted for new clubs, so I am trying to extend my game.  :D
"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us."

Dr. Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

Tom_Doak

  • Total Karma: 12
Re: Rank Trump's courses
« Reply #26 on: December 28, 2018, 09:50:48 AM »
I was never high on Turnberry and thought it was wildly over-rated.  The changes, at least on paper, may be the smartest thing Trump ever got behind.



Turnberry was an 8 on the Doak Scale.  Some people have had it as the best course in the UK, and I agree with you, that's wildly over-rated.


Balmedie is not an 8 on the Doak Scale.

John Crowley

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Rank Trump's courses
« Reply #27 on: December 29, 2018, 12:43:32 AM »
LA course is in scenic location. The architecture comports with the title of this thread - it is RANK (adjective).
To be fair, I can only judge the first nine because I walked off due to lack if interest in enduring nine more.

Sean_A

  • Total Karma: 3
Re: Rank Trump's courses
« Reply #28 on: December 29, 2018, 05:15:01 AM »
I was never high on Turnberry and thought it was wildly over-rated.  The changes, at least on paper, may be the smartest thing Trump ever got behind.


Turnberry was an 8 on the Doak Scale.  Some people have had it as the best course in the UK, and I agree with you, that's wildly over-rated.

Balmedie is not an 8 on the Doak Scale.

Yes, I never bought the 8 rating because I am not convinced Turnberry had even one All-Scotland candidate hole. I would have given it a 6, but not far off 7.  I agree, Trump Aberdeen isn't close to an 8, but a solid 7 is reasonable.  All in all, I think a good compromise between hosting pros, getting folks around the course and playability was struck. If the pro golf ambitions were dropped the course could have been something special.

Ciao
New plays planned for 2025: Ludlow, Machrihanish Dunes, Dunaverty and Carradale

JWL

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Rank Trump's courses
« Reply #29 on: January 07, 2019, 08:51:33 PM »
Steve,   Jack Nicklaus was the sole designer of Ferry Point.    John Sanford was the Construction Manager who put together the development team for NYPR.    Trump didn't build it and doesn't own it.   He operates the course and the maintenance in a long term contract.

A.G._Crockett

  • Total Karma: -1
Re: Rank Trump's courses
« Reply #30 on: January 08, 2019, 03:53:08 PM »
Haven't played any Trump courses.  Won't play any Trump courses.
So I suppose I rank them DFL.  But that's just me...
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

Nick Ribeiro

Re: Rank Trump's courses
« Reply #31 on: January 08, 2019, 09:36:25 PM »
Steve,   Jack Nicklaus was the sole designer of Ferry Point.    John Sanford was the Construction Manager who put together the development team for NYPR.    Trump didn't build it and doesn't own it.   He operates the course and the maintenance in a long term contract.


Does this mean we are allowed to accept and like a "Trump" (maybe) course? Asking for a friend....  :)

Edward Glidewell

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Rank Trump's courses
« Reply #32 on: January 08, 2019, 10:41:49 PM »

I believe 8,000+ yard courses are in our near future, if there is any concrete evidence supporting otherwise I'd be thrilled to learn?


8000+ yard courses are here:


https://www.golf.com/courses-and-travel/2018/04/24/let-big-dog-eat-myrtle-beach-course-extended-8100-yards


The fact that one out of roughly 80+ courses in Myrtle Beach (used to be 100 courses, I think) went that direction is smart to me. They positioned themselves in this niche market for young low handicap players. When it gets to 10 courses, then you have a movement, imo. I believe the cost/economics of doing this (maintenance, additional land, taxes...) will keep this to a small number of courses. Why would I pay $$$ to play a Doak 5 course from the 8000 yard back tees that I don't need?


My son is insanely long now and also insanely wild. He can't really play 8000 yard golf courses yet, but he will get better when he moves to Florida next summer. Thus, I do see the need for 8000+ courses, I just question how many.


I just got fitted for new clubs, so I am trying to extend my game.  :D


That's just a marketing gimmick for them -- that course has long had billboards up in Myrtle Beach claiming they had the toughest closing stretch on the Grand Strand. Now they'll get to replace that with billboards about how they're over 8000 yards. It's not an especially good course and there are at least 30 courses in the area I'd play before even thinking about going there. I know the PGA Tour isn't overly concerned with quality architecture, but the quote from the course owner claiming that it will now be a potential tournament venue is hilarious.

A.G._Crockett

  • Total Karma: -1
Re: Rank Trump's courses
« Reply #33 on: January 09, 2019, 10:09:14 AM »

I believe 8,000+ yard courses are in our near future, if there is any concrete evidence supporting otherwise I'd be thrilled to learn?


8000+ yard courses are here:


https://www.golf.com/courses-and-travel/2018/04/24/let-big-dog-eat-myrtle-beach-course-extended-8100-yards


The fact that one out of roughly 80+ courses in Myrtle Beach (used to be 100 courses, I think) went that direction is smart to me. They positioned themselves in this niche market for young low handicap players. When it gets to 10 courses, then you have a movement, imo. I believe the cost/economics of doing this (maintenance, additional land, taxes...) will keep this to a small number of courses. Why would I pay $$$ to play a Doak 5 course from the 8000 yard back tees that I don't need?


My son is insanely long now and also insanely wild. He can't really play 8000 yard golf courses yet, but he will get better when he moves to Florida next summer. Thus, I do see the need for 8000+ courses, I just question how many.


I just got fitted for new clubs, so I am trying to extend my game.  :D


That's just a marketing gimmick for them -- that course has long had billboards up in Myrtle Beach claiming they had the toughest closing stretch on the Grand Strand. Now they'll get to replace that with billboards about how they're over 8000 yards. It's not an especially good course and there are at least 30 courses in the area I'd play before even thinking about going there. I know the PGA Tour isn't overly concerned with quality architecture, but the quote from the course owner claiming that it will now be a potential tournament venue is hilarious.
Edward,
You are correct, 100%; this is a marketing-only move. 

About 30 years ago, when I first started playing golf at MB, one of the first rounds I played was at Eagles Nest because it was one of the very few places, even then, that would allow walking.  It's an ok golf course, and I may (or may not?) have gone back a time or two more, but I have driving by it a hundred times since on my way to another course without even considering playing there.
My assumption about this is that there was otherwise "useless" land available to put in some tee boxes at minimal cost; I can't imagine that a large amount of money was invested by the owners to do this as opposed to other improvements.  MB golf is based on packages, and Eagles Nest, like everybody else in that market, is looking for a way to get included in desirable packages with other courses.
Bottom line is that assuming that THIS course going to 8000 says anything at all about the state of the game in 2019 isn't justified.  What they've done is no different that using the word "links" in a course description, or having a bagpiper, or a sleeve of balls and a free beer with a paid greens fee, or a faux castle clubhouse, or any other marketing tactic in an insanely competitive market.
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

Chad Anderson (Tennessee)

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Rank Trump's courses
« Reply #34 on: January 10, 2019, 10:24:42 AM »
I absolutely loved Turnberry.  It was my favorite I played on my trip to Ireland/Scotland in 2017.  A big part of that was the weather we received.  It rained, poured, hailed, etc throughout the round.  That added to my experience.


And even though I was soaking wet, I went ahead and played the 2nd course.  If you can skip the first 7 holes and just play 8-12, it is fantastic. 
Chad Anderson
Executive Director
Tennessee Golf Association
@tngolf