Multi-Use Design: Tripp Davis & Tom Lehman

[Mike Feeney]

Here's a unique approach -- Revolutionary or Ridiculous? 

Hard to imagine what would happen on a busy day with everyone on different loops -- heimets & body armor?   

From the: "Conceptualized by celebrated golf course designer Tripp Davis and PGA Tour star Tom Lehman, Trilogy® Golf Club at Ocala Preserve is where golf changes forever. Not only does the course include all the challenges of a traditionally-styled golf course, but its revolutionary routing provides maximum flexibility in terms of playability, challenge and time commitment. Not least of all, the course’s footprint — on 50 acres as opposed to the 100+ required by conventional, full-size courses — reduces its environmental impact. The result is a course that can be played in multiple ways, each offering a new experience.

• THE SKILLS COURSE is an 18-hole, par-54 designed to challenge players of all levels with holes varying in length from 63 to more than 200 yards.
• THE GALLERY LOOP is a 6-hole, par-18 course that can be played in less than an hour while still offering a high-quality golf experience.
• THE PLAYERS' LOOP is a 6-hole, par-24 routing with one par 3, four par 4s, and one par 5. Holes vary in length from 155 to 520 yards. The Players Loop can be played in any of four configurations, and it can be completed in roughly 90 minutes.
• THE PLAYERS' COURSE is three rounds of the Players Loop. It can be completed to provide an 18-hole, par-72 routing that plays to more than 6,600 yards and includes multiple tee complexes, meaning that each six-hole loop is distinct.
• THE HORSE COURSE is a unique match play option that allows players to select the tees and holes they wish to play in a golf version of the classic basketball game, HORSE."

[Tom_Doak]

It's interesting:  you can either operate it as an 18-hole par-3, or


a six-hole par-3, plus a six-hole regulation course [simultaneously], either of which you can go around multiple times.


Of course, only having six holes of each limits the number of players you can accommodate, if a fair share of them want to go around a second or third time ... so it seems best suited to a small community.

[Mike_Young]

I don't see why anyone would ever consider it ridiculous.  I would assume the control of the play would be the critical issue and would be handled by the pro or his staff.  If the proshop screws up and puts golfers in the wrong situation that will not be the fault of the architect.  Will probably see more and more of this type thing....

[Greg Tallman]

I think it is a great idea. Of course I do as it validates what I am wanting to do south of the border which is convert 6 holes of an existing course (replacing them on different land) with 13 greens and 15 tees that can play as a 15 hole par 45 or a 7 hole par 25 and nearly anything in between. Almost no limit to the number of setups. In a resort setting with a large family component I really believe this would be a home run. 

[Carl Rogers]

I would think a lot of color coded signage would be needed.  It could be very confusing which green to play to in a couple of circumstances.

Looks like some long walks, too.

Potentially some amazing cross country golf in dizzying number of combinations.

[Kalen Braley]

Confusion is the first thing that came to my mind as well.

That being said, it seems like this could work at a retirement community...where perhaps many players want to limit play and aren't tied to playing 18 hole par 72s and/or care about score.  I can't see any serious golfing types wanting any part of this though.

P.S.  For those who don't have the time to play, I still don't see why the existing "play 9" holes model doesn't work as 99% of courses are built with returning 9s

[Thomas Dai]

Very interesting idea. Hope it's a success. Some of the combinations would seem to provide excellent opportunities for the use of a short-distance roll-back ball. Time and distance and all that.


Atb

[Greg Tallman]

I don't believe the intent would be to have both operating at the same time, just have the flexibility to change it up on different days or even different times of the day. 

Signage would not be an issue with properly conceived cards and tee markers.