[Erik J. Barzeski]

Also I would vehemently argue that if you understand architecture you have much more likely chance to play well the first time around a golf course by being able to look at a hole and understand the strategy.

I think this would be my answer… I cannot think of a specific time (I rarely play "matches"), but I know I've stood on the tee of a new hole and used what I know of gca to sort of "figure out" what the strategy was: what the architect was trying to goad me into doing, what the safe play was, what types of shots might be required… what bunkers were more for show than strategic/penal/etc.

More, though, what little understanding of gca that I have makes me appreciate the holes I play more so, and thus appreciate and enjoy my golf more.

[Philippe Binette]

While caddying for a friend at mount Bruno near Montréal...


My understanding of architecture, angle, grades and slopes.. i guided my friend through the course, switching club selection, defining landing spots on approaches...


Gave him 4-5 shots that allowed him to tie the match. Had he not bogeyed the last three holes in a row from inside 100 yards (poor wedges) would have been easy win

[James Brown]

Playing 15 and North Berwick (for the second time and much more informed) with the wind over my right shoulder from 178 yards, I hit a flat out 150 yard shot knowing how much it would release.  Hit it to a foot.  Probably my best example of using knowledge in that way. 

[Ira Fishman]

I certainly can tell when lack of knowledge caused great disappointment. I played PH2 back in 2005 right after the U S Open and well before I had any real appreciation of architecture. On number 10 playing from the regular tees, I hit a 3 iron that rolled over the back. I was pretty pumped because reaching even a short Par 5 in two was not a regular occurrence. The caddy immediately said, "You are dead." Yep, made a double even after hitting a good chip and good bunker shot. And this was not just a failure of not knowing the hole; it was a failure of not understanding Ross.

[Jason Thurman]

Ira, that reminds me of one example I had on the same hole. After missing long on 10 at No. 2, my read of the architecture of the green enabled me to flip a 60 degree wedge up in the air, land it softly, let it trickle just to the right, and into the hole for a birdie to win the hole and move to red numbers for the day.


When I tell people about how I walked to the 11th tee at No. 2 sitting at 1-under on the round, they're usually impressed. I don't mention what happened to my score over the remaining 17 holes.

[Ira Fishman]

Jason, LOL re the other 17. But first, I would take -1 anytime during a round. And second, I have come to learn the hard way that understanding a Ross course and executing are far different. I know that bailing short right on Number 9 at Pine Needles is plain stupid just as is bailing left at Number 12 at Mid Pines, but alas I do both all of the time.

[Jason Topp]

Like John's example, I think it helps most on a mediocre new course.  You can usually guess what a hole will do even if you cannot see it. 


Hitting good shots is much more helpful to winning golf holes. 

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