What's left to discuss?

[Jason Thurman]

This reply to Ran's recent thread stuck out to me:

Is there any aspect of golf course architecture on this site that has not been discussed, forensically examined, masticated to exhaustion, repeated to the point of funereal boredom, microscopically dissected or viewed through the various prisms of admiration, anger, disgust, indignation and dismay?

Admittedly, it's easy to agree with Mike when we have 11 pages of threads discussing the legitimacy of trail fees on the first page right now. Yet, others would suggest that we've only scratched the surface of discussing and learning about golf course architecture to this point. Who's right?

[archie_struthers]

 

Good question , I'd say drainage is an under analyzed aspect of architecture , but then it's not real sexy . Just critical

[BCowan]

Good question , I'd say drainage is an under analyzed aspect of architecture , but then it's not real sexy . Just critical

+1 for drainage

[John Kavanaugh]

Discuss or posture from a position of ignorance. I've got a few topics I will start when we get through the latest MPT. Hole 7 please.

For one I would love to discuss the importance of structure in our lives and how it relates to golf. Both in design and the culture of where we like to play. Problem is not so much with the topic as it is with the same pat answers from the same posters.

[Jim_Coleman]

   Although drainage is probably the most difficult challenge in building a course, I suspect it is virtually irrelevant to the player.  I'd call it more engineering than architecture, although it is the architect's job.  I suspect that any drainage discussion would become very technical.

[Mark Bourgeois]

There's always room for navel gazing meta threads, apparently.

[Mike_Young]

Reality is always a difficult subject to discuss with an idealistic audience.  It's how history becomes revised whether golf design or wars.   

[BHoover]

Drainage and placement of teeing areas are two topics that come to mind.

[John Kavanaugh]

Another topic:  Par 5 design that takes away the long ball advantage. Examples and why.

[Mark Bourgeois]

Another topic:  Par 5 design that takes away the long ball advantage. Examples and why.

See: Hells Half Acre.

How bout a thread on the architectural history of Merion East?

[Mike_Young]

There are a  few things left to discuss but the site really has no interest in discussing them for good reason.

For example:  let's discuss the Toyotas and Hondas of golf ocurses and how they are designed condtrcuted and sustained instead of always talking of the Mercedes, Rolls etc..

How bout this one:   will the jagged edged bunker concept stand the test of time in non sandy soils? 

and another:  if you were going to learn to shape,  would you prefer to learn in sand or clay and heavy soils?  And, which is the easier to go from and to?   

[Sven Nilsen]

Another topic:  Par 5 design that takes away the long ball advantage. Examples and why.

Already covered by George Thomas.  Which I guess goes to show that how much there is left to learn is very subjective.  And Mucci only has so much time to teach us all.

[Jim_Kennedy]

It'd be a driver/5 iron today at that yardage.

[Sven Nilsen]

It'd be a driver/5 iron today at that yardage.

Jim:

As with all old plans, you have to apply the Peter Kostis Architect Driven Distance Ratio Calculation.  In today's world that hole would be 734 yards.

Sven

[Tim Bert]

I certainly don't know as much about golf course architecture as Mr Thomas but to me that hole looks like a potential disaster waiting to happen for most average for players.

[Mark Bourgeois]

Has this site made a difference? We should start a thread discussing that question.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Has this site made a difference? We should start a thread discussing that question.

The hot dogs are $4.00 cheaper at SS.

[BCowan]

Has this site made a difference? We should start a thread discussing that question.

The hot dogs are $4.00 cheaper at SS.

  , luckily SS is public, a private club would have raised them $4 

[John Kavanaugh]

Another topic:  Par 5 design that takes away the long ball advantage. Examples and why.

Already covered by George Thomas.  Which I guess goes to show that how much there is left to learn is very subjective.  And Mucci only has so much time to teach us all.

That may be one example. It doesn't touch the nuance of blindness or any of a number of other possibilities.

[Sven Nilsen]

Another topic:  Par 5 design that takes away the long ball advantage. Examples and why.

Already covered by George Thomas.  Which I guess goes to show that how much there is left to learn is very subjective.  And Mucci only has so much time to teach us all.

That may be one example. It doesn't touch the nuance of blindness or any of a number of other possibilities.

I'd suggest you start a thread, although I don't think it'll be as popular as the one on getting a dog for your Dad.

[Joe Hancock]

We could start a thread that addressed the topic at hand without it hurting anyone's feelings or becoming a schoolyard argument.

[JMEvensky]

How bout this one:   will the jagged edged bunker concept stand the test of time in non sandy soils? 

   

Just to start the discussion,I'll say no. Pure speculation--the cost to maintain will eventually outweigh the design.

I'd like to read any kind of bunker design/maintenance discussion featuring architects and superintendents. For the 2nd or 3rd largest expense in a maintenance budget,care and feeding of bunkers is very misunderstood.

[Paul Gray]

Another topic:  Par 5 design that takes away the long ball advantage. Examples and why.

Already covered by George Thomas.  Which I guess goes to show that how much there is left to learn is very subjective.  And Mucci only has so much time to teach us all.

That may be one example. It doesn't touch the nuance of blindness or any of a number of other possibilities.

Good point. Start a thread.

[John Kavanaugh]

Paul,

My point is that plenty of great threads exist for the taking. You indicate why they aren't worth the effort.

[Paul Gray]

Paul,

My point is that plenty of great threads exist for the taking. You indicate why they aren't worth the effort.

I just genuinely thought it was a good example of a worthy topic.

I find it a little strange that anyone would suggest we've seen and done it all.