How important is the backdrop?

[Scott Warren]

I suspect the boys at OCM Golf are of the view that the backdrop can have a role to play.

Below: the 8th and 10th at Royal Canberra.

[Scott Warren]

And likewise Dr Alister MacKenzie. The landform in both instances is masterfully placed.

[Tim_Weiman]

Tom,


My memory of the 7th at Barnbougle May be failing me, but despite its proximity to the ocean, I don’t recall even seeing the backdrop. It is the Little Devil that got my attention.


Two other well known Par 3s that, IMO, aren’t about the backdrop include #8 and #15 at Ballybunion. I realize people might quarrel with me on #15 - yes, one can see the ocean from the elevated tee - but my mind has always been on the shot, not the view.


Mark,


I am wondering how you would view #10 at Winged Foot. It has been the subject of paintings, but, wow, it sure seems like a Par 3 that is about golf shots.


Then, too, I sure wasn’t thinking about the view when playing the Redan at North Berwick!

[Tim_Weiman]

Mark,


One other hole worth considering: #17 at Pebble Beach.


Is that hole really about the view?

[Peter Pallotta]

Some of the holes mentioned in this thread and Scott's photos above sure do make the case for the importance of backdrops -- but in shooting fish in a barrel kind of way.
A decent green on an average course is immediately made more pleasing and interesting when the brush and weedy trees behind it are cut away; and even a modestly canted fairway that is visually 'cleared' on the high side and busier-broken up on the low side is definitely more appealing.
Which is to say, re aesthetics: in both cases, the function (including the challenge) of that green and that fairway are enhanced by the form.
I think in the vast majority of cases (i.e. at courses that are not in the top .5 %), it is these kind of 'backdrops' that make the difference.     

[Jeff Schley]

There are about 4 others we could post here as well.  Most beautiful course I have played.  BTW love how they post the per-construction image. Good work Mike.

[Jeff Schley]

Love 16 as well.

[Tom_Doak]

Jeff:


You have my permission to downgrade Cape Wickham all you want for its many beautiful backdrops.


That's sarcasm, but I'm also making fun of how everyone acts like I'm the only one who has had beautiful backdrops to work with, and Mike / Gil / Bill Coore / Kyle Phillips / et al. have not. 


Actually, it would be hard to find a modern course in the top 100 that does NOT benefit from the backdrops enormously.

[Mark_Fine]

As I said in my initial post, we all know backdrops play a role and have an impact on a golf hole.  It just struck me differently for some reason on the hole we just redesigned (I will eventually get someone to post a photo when it is all finished). 


How much weight we give the backdrop is obviously a very personal and subjective matter.  The same goes for aesthetics and every other aspect of evaluating a golf course.  I will leave it at that