[Matt_Cohn]

...is to make the green any shape other than circular. Agree or disagree?


I'm not saying "the only" or even "the best", and certainly not always; the consensus best hole in the world, #16 at Cypress Point, has an almost exactly circular green — but it's completely appropriate for that hole.


But a strong proportion of boring holes that I play tend to have round greens, and it seems to me that almost all of them could be made far more interesting with a different green shape and no other changes.

[Doug Siebert]

A non-circular green makes the green either narrower or shallower depending on the angle from which you're approaching it - making the angle of approach matter more than it otherwise would.

[JMEvensky]

But a strong proportion of boring holes that I play tend to have round greens, and it seems to me that almost all of them could be made far more interesting with a different green shape and no other changes.

I disagree.


My strong proportion of boring greens tends to be flattish --so I'd say adding more contour would be the most interesting improvement. I can live with round contoured greens better than flat oddly shaped.


This is probably a regional difference--you live in a hillier area than I.

[Kalen Braley]

I'd say for a non par 3, (and perhaps even the occasional par 3)...

...stick in a centerline bunker somewhere and make em think about it.  Even a small principles nose like #14 at ballyneal can be super effective. 

P.S.  As small as it is, my playing partner aimed right at it and actually found it...he was miffed, but I said you hit it where you was aiming!! 

[Peter Pallotta]

The easiest way?  I think it is to align the fairway at a 70 degree angle to the tee.

Peter

[Adrian_Stiff]

The commercial answer is put water in front of it.

[Kalen Braley]

Fair enough Peter and Adrian,

But I would guess doing either of those isn't near as easy as adding a small bunker or a few undulations in the green...

[Peter Pallotta]

Okay smart guy, how about aligning the tee at a 70 degree angle to the fairway...

 

[Kalen Braley]

Okay smart guy, how about aligning the tee at a 70 degree angle to the fairway...

 

That's a bit easier, but that still requiress more land and wider playing corridors to get the offset.   

[Mike Nuzzo]

I disagree.
The easiest way is to add three dimensional interest to a green.
I once saw a master plan presentation where the architect compared the old circular greens to the new and improved jigsaw puzzle greens - blech.
Some of the best greens look like a circle from above.
The interest comes from the shaping.
And it is nice to have a clean height of cut vs. a squiggly one that looks less natural.
Cheers

[Mark_Fine]

Matt,
I am not sure that green shape is the secret to making a hole more interesting?  I agree that yes it can add interest but lots of design features can add interest and many of them can be simple. 

I will say though that architects like Ross for example, NEVER designed greens that were perfect circles.  I always tell people if you see a Ross green that is round, it has been changed over the years (many times simply from maintenance practices).   

[Ronald Montesano]

the sooner you make the hole interesting, the better, methinks...


A) Do what Ross did from time to time, which is aim the tee away from the fairway landing zone;


B) Do what Kalen said, and slap in a centerline bunker in the "should I/Shouldn't I" zone;


C) Lay down a bunker 40 yards shy of the green, with enough "up" to make the golfer think there's green right behind it.

[Sean_A]

Matt

Wouldn't a green shape have to shape around something to be truly interesting? 

In any case, the question for me isn't that interesting because variety of the essence of architecture so it doesn't much matter what is the easiest or 4th easiest solution to a problem.  All "solutions" are good if well used in a well balanced manner.

Ciao

[Thomas Dai]

In addition to comments above how about small, low height mounds and grass hollows positioned to interact with dead ground (if available). No need to be more than a couple of feet in height/depth and with sides that give awkward lies and stances. Easy to construct, low maintenance and hopefully subtle enough to confuse the player. Can be located just about anywhere but particularly in tee shot range or around a green.
Atb

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