Walking v Playing

[Josh Stevens]

Can you really appreciate a course without a bat in your hand?

I am being pushed by some mates to go to the Masters this year as someone has cancelled, and while tempted, I have this strange sense in the back of my feeble brain, that I will just get pissed off watching golf on a course I will never be permitted to play.

This is perhaps a little bolshie of me, but every tournament I have ever been to (not many I confess as I find it all a bit too hard) I have actually played the course, either before or after.  This includes all of the Open Rota, one US Open, two PGA venues, and most of the Aussie venues

On one hand I would love to see Augusta in the flesh, but on the other, I sense that seeing it from behind the ropes, knowing I will never take divot, will somehow not meet my expectations, and may just put me in a shitty mood which will not make my wife pleased at the expense.  Not being able to see it from the centre line of the fairway is problematic as the angles don’t work.  Not being able to have a few putts on those greens is problematic as one can’t really get it first hand, and the whole lack of access thing that pervades America would definitely be a problem as I just think its sad pompous nonsense and they really should get over themselves.

Can one really appreciate some stunning architecture from behind the ropes, in the knowledge you stand no chance of ever being able to tee it up??  I fear I cannot.  Do I need to grow up?

[A.G._Crockett]

If there is one place on the planet where the answer is "yes", it would be ANGC because of the obviously high level of familiarity we all have with the course from watching TV.  In fact, you'll be stunned at how much more hilly the course is than what you could see watching TV, and you'll get a far, far better sense of the contour of those greens.

But with very few exceptions, I have had very little interest in walking a course without playing.  Kind of like looking at the menu in a great restaurant but knowing that I can't afford to eat there.

[Carl Rogers]

For me, it is easier to observe and begin to understand a parts of a course more completley while not concentrating on playing.
ie.14th green at ANGC and all that goes on there

[jeffwarne]

Can you really appreciate a course without a bat in your hand?

No,

with one exception

Augusta



and what makes you so sure you won't get a future invite?
worst case I could show you the Rae's Creek route in

[Stewart Abramson]

I agree with AG Crockett's comments. However, to me, going to the Masters is not simply about  walking the course to see the golf holes. It's not like you'll be there by yourself on a Thursday morning in June. It's the Masters. It's an event. It's Disney World for old men who like golf. If your mates have to push you and the only reason you are considering attending  is for the architecture, don't go. I'll PM you with my address so you can send me your ticket as I'd love to go again.

[Thomas Dai]

Turn it the other way around - if you don't go, and don't make a plan to go at some future time, do you reckon you'll regret it forever? You only live once.
atb

[Joe Sponcia]

Josh,

Without a doubt go.  I see something different every time I go and like you, will probably never play the course. One of my favorite parts (now) of attending is standing from afar and watching people step onto the grounds for the first time.  For many, it is a pilgrimage of sorts.  A dream just to walk onto the turf.  It is the only place in my 42 years on earth that I can truly say is better than you can imagine in person. 

[Mac Plumart]

Is this thread about walking vs playing or about you griping you can't play Augusta...and then putting down Americans cause they are "pompous" and should "get over themselves"?

Based on your post...no, I don't think you should come to GA.

On the topic of walking versus playing, ideally you should do both. Perhaps walk a round or two, then play it to see if your observations were solid, then perhaps repeat this cycle a few times. This makes for great learning.

The one issue I struggle with regarding walking only is how the ball will react to the turf and greens. Especially if I am not on my home turf. I know, pretty much, how the balls will react to GA clay and our Bermuda and bent. But throw in fescues, different soil mixes, and various grasses, I really need to play or, at least, hit a few balls.

[Terry Lavin]

Forget about the unrelated question: If you have a chance to go to the Masters, just go. If you're incapable of being surprised, or being susceptible to sports bliss or enjoying old-fashioned Southern hospitality, stay home and watch it on TV.

[Keith OHalloran]

So, according to you, walking Augusta (a top 5 course in America) would get you "pissed" off and not being able to walk down the middle and hit balls may make you so "shitty" that your wife would not be happy when you got home, yet Americans need to  "get over themselves". Gotcha  

[Carl Rogers]

Are you really debating with yourself that the Masters is not on your life time bucket list?

[Tim_Weiman]

Josh,

Contrary to what some here have suggested, if you are a student of golf architecture, I think it is far better to walk a course - hopefully with a knowledgeable member playing - than it is to jump right in a play the course.

Playing the course should come second because far too often people get hung up on playing their game, on their score, rather than really focusing on architectural features.

Perhaps my best experience at a famous course with lot to offer architecturally was at Crystal Downs. I would later have the opportunity to go back and play the course a few times, but for my first visit I got to walk the course with Dick Ford, a long time member who knew the course intimately. Dick was also gracious enough to answer countless questions on virtually each hole.

It was by far a better experience than playing any famous course without first walking it.

If you want to be a serious student, walk the course first, hopefully with a guy like Dick Ford.

Let me also mention one other experience: visiting Winged Foot with Tommy Naccarato with Neil Regan as our host. We didn't go out to play. Instead, we did something better. Neil took us - with our putters - to greens he felt we really should see and showed us some of the most amazing putts on the course.

Again, it was an experience that exceeded almost every opportunity to study great golf courses I have ever had.

[Josh Stevens]

I never for a second suggested I know the first thing about architecture, and therein perhaps lies the issue.  I have found when watching tournament golf that I have had a greater appreciation of  what confronts a player and what decisions and challenges he/she is faced with,  when I have actually played the course.  Or if I haven't played it previously, I have generally done so soon after the fact and that also helps as I get to see how it plays to very different standards of player. I find this gives me a better grasp of both the course and the skill of these players.

On the other hand, watching from off to the side, on a course I have never played and never will play, does not give me that same thrill.  I guess I am just an unimaginative lump who needs to get down and lick it in order to appreciate it.

As far as the access issue in the US is concerned - that is a separate point, but part of the problem. Private clubs of course can do as they wish but my egalitarian streak feels that custodians of great courses have some responsibility to allow the plebs on from time to time.  I am one for whom the air of uber exclusiveness does not add to the experience, in fact it detracts and so for me, Augusta has never been on my bucket list as a course or a club; it just happens to throw up the best golf year in year out.

[Bill Seitz]

It's worth the visit not only to see the course, but to see how well run they run the event. It's really a first class operation. I've only been once to a practice round, but I had a blast, and that's how I'd suggest doing it. Go to a practice round or two, experience the course, and watch the tournament on TV. Get a pimento cheese sandwich, a few cheap beers (by US sports standards) and enjoy the day. The thing I looked forward to the most was experiencing the course spatially. I know all the holes, but I was really looking forward to experiencing the routing on the round. Definitely a highlight of my golfing life.

[Tim_Weiman]

Josh,

Almost fifty years ago I decided I wanted to see the world's best golf courses. I knew it would take a lifetime and lots of travel, but for the most part access has not been an issue. Oh, yes, there were times I couldn't get access, but generally I have found that if people perceive you really want to study golf course architecture, they will accommodate you.

As for Augusta and attending the Masters, I can never found any hint of snobbishness. The club takes pride in running a really classy event and it really is.

[cary lichtenstein]

You should definitely not go as it will annoy you to death that you will never be able to play. The accommodations generally suck, the restaurants are busy, it may rain and you could get wet and the grounds turn muddy.You would get tired walking up and down hills, watching play from 12 deep and then be tempted to buy memorabilia.

I was there 7 times and hated every minute. Watch it on tv at home

[Ally Mcintosh]

Like Tim said, I find that you can appreciate the features of a course most when walking it and having a ball in your pocket to roll on the greens. But you're not really doing that behind the ropes.

I understand your sentiment. When you love golf courses, the urge / frustration to play when you aren't able can be strong...

[Josh Stevens]

But I hear the city of Augusta is a cultural mecca that should not be missed.  I am used to hills at my home club and I have some memorabilia that I found in the lost property box when I was rummaging through looking for a rain jacket when I left mine at home one day.

The trip includes a few games here and there like Pinehurst No 2, and there is a 50/50 chance of a hit at NGLA, so there are some positives that must be taken into account.

[cary lichtenstein]

"The City of Augusta is a Culture Mecca", not true.

 New Orleans is, New York is, maybe John Daly in his bus in a drunken stupor is. I took my son there about 10 years ago and there was good old John, selling T-Shirts for $20 a pop. His eyes were so bloodshot and he couldn't even stand.

[Chuck Glowacki]

Cary, having lived in Augusta for a number of years I can only assume that Josh had his tongue firmly implanted in his cheek with
his "cultural mecca" comment.

[jeffwarne]

I'm with Tim and Ally re: being able to get a better appreciation of a course when walking - but agree with Mac about ball reacting to turf etc and also judging where the landing zone would be.

Re: The Masters, it is obviously a great tournament but it's not a great spectator course - it's not really practical to follow one player around for 18 holes - especially if they're in the leading groups. If you go, I recommend going on a practice round day as you'll be more focused on the course as opposed to the action.

Josh,
Not sure how long your trip is but NGLA won't be open during The Masters.
Not a lot happening in the Hamptons in early/mid April-and it's raw weather, and most courses wil have aerified greens.

Brian,
ANGC is not a good spectator course?
For starters getting in (free parking) is one of the most seamless experiences in all of major sports venues,..
Second, every phase of your day is orchestrated to avaoid delays.
Shopping, check stands,bathrooms, concessions/prices.

It was the original stadium course, with multiple vantage points created by mounding /created/natural ampitheatres.
I will grant that there are few pinch points due to the lengthening of the course which can cause momentary bottlenecks that previously didn't exist, but their bleachers while not the equal of the Open Championship, provide a high quality experience as well.
but what major course is a better spectator venue, especially for following one player?
None of the US Open courses I've attended was that even possible (Winged Foot, Shinnecock, Merion, Bethpage-where I waited in line 2 hours to get in before simply jumping the fence) and certainly not bottlenecked flat Hoylake which are the only Majors I've attended, but I've been to plenty of PGA Tour events which were a zoo and difficult to see anything.

It doesn't hurt that I've got a home field advantage having attended for 40 straight years, but even for a newbie ANGC is pretty seamless to navigate compared to other majors/tournaments.
I will concede it is a tiring walk, but you won't notice until that night when you're taking in the local "culture"

[BHoover]

I've been giving this some thought. I would almost always rather play a course than merely walk it (although I'd certainly do both), but I can understand that not being able to actually play a course might be frustrating. I think walking and playing each offer different insight into architecture, routing, etc. Even my former home course, which I played hundreds of times, offered a different perspective when I walked along with the players in the US Open sectional qualifier each year, not to mention seeing a different way to play the course than I was used to seeing.

That said, I absolutely would not turn down a chance to see The Masters and ANGC solely out of anger at not being able to play the course. Just go and appreciate the opportunity to experience the event.

[Josh Stevens]

I'm with Tim and Ally re: being able to get a better appreciation of a course when walking - but agree with Mac about ball reacting to turf etc and also judging where the landing zone would be.

Re: The Masters, it is obviously a great tournament but it's not a great spectator course - it's not really practical to follow one player around for 18 holes - especially if they're in the leading groups. If you go, I recommend going on a practice round day as you'll be more focused on the course as opposed to the action.

Josh,
Not sure how long your trip is but NGLA won't be open during The Masters.
Not a lot happening in the Hamptons in early/mid April-and it's raw weather, and most courses wil have aerified greens.

Brian,
ANGC is not a good spectator course?
For starters getting in (free parking) is one of the most seamless experiences in all of major sports venues,..
Second, every phase of your day is orchestrated to avaoid delays.
Shopping, check stands,bathrooms, concessions/prices.

It was the original stadium course, with multiple vantage points created by mounding /created/natural ampitheatres.
I will grant that there are few pinch points due to the lengthening of the course which can cause momentary bottlenecks that previously didn't exist, but their bleachers while not the equal of the Open Championship, provide a high quality experience as well.
but what major course is a better spectator venue, especially for following one player?
None of the US Open courses I've attended was that even possible (Winged Foot, Shinnecock, Merion, Bethpage-where I waited in line 2 hours to get in before simply jumping the fence) and certainly not bottlenecked flat Hoylake which are the only Majors I've attended, but I've been to plenty of PGA Tour events which were a zoo and difficult to see anything.

It doesn't hurt that I've got a home field advantage having attended for 40 straight years, but even for a newbie ANGC is pretty seamless to navigate compared to other majors/tournaments.
I will concede it is a tiring walk, but you won't notice until that night when you're taking in the local "culture"

Hm, maybe 50/50 was generous then.  One of these, friend of a friend of my butchers great aunt sort of arrangements.  Crikey how do you lot manage with such a short season.  WHat do you do all winter,apart from plan for the summer.

[Tim Martin]

Josh-Don't deprive someone of a ticket that really wants to go.

[Tim_Weiman]

Josh,

Let me offer another perspective from Brian and Jeff regarding Augusta as a spectator course (based on five Masters visits).

Overall, I agree with Jeff that it is pretty good for spectators, but you also have to be lucky and very committed if you want a prime seat at key locations, e.g., the Amen Corner holes. You certainly can see the action, but switching back and forth between following a group and getting a prime seat isn't always easy.

I'm pretty certain the very best seats, for example, on 12 tee are reserved and even for those that are not, you have to get there very early.

My advice would be to get there when the gates open (around 7 AM, I think) and first walk the entire course. Then, think about how you want to watch the competition. Again, if it is your first visit, be sure to walk the whole course and do so before the full crowd arrives.

P.S. One other thing. Be friendly and don't be surprised if you meet some interesting characters. We have all heard stories about someone climbing the fence. One old guy I met had an even better story: he claimed he used to ride motorcycles on the course and loved to go flying over certain bunkers. Don't know if the story was true - he claimed it was in the late 1940s/early 1950s - but the sure seemed sincere. Crazy!