Design feature as entry point

[Ira Fishman]

When I try to explain to my golfing friends who do not think a lot about architecture why I find the field so fascinating, I struggle. I can mention particular courses or concepts such as strategic v. penal, but those are broad topics that are not concrete to them. I wonder if there are design features that they probably have encountered that would be an entry point for a fuller exploration. For my wife, false fronts, speed slots, and recently the Redan have registered with her. That probably is because watching the ball move on the ground is so attention grabbing and concrete.


For me, it was how the bunker at the corner of number 12 at Mid Pines in relation to the angle of the green affected the strategy of the hole. And then it was the 3-5 stretch of quirk at Lahinch that got me hooked.


Other suggestions on what features I should relate to my friends? And yes, I know that most golfers will never really care.


Ira

[Ben Hollerbach]

In my experience, going to micro too soon will just confuse someone who has not considered architecture before.

My go too is the basic strategy around a hole design players will see in virtually every course they play. A mid length par 4 with a fairway bunker on one side of the landing zone and a corresponding greenside bunker on the opposite side short of the green. This is a good example to discuss how tee shot selections impacts the difficulty of an approach shot. A challenging shot will have to be hit at one point on the hole, as a player you have the choice as to where that shot is played.

Typically after this brief example their mind is a bit more primed to think of strategic intent around a design feature and the cause / effect relationship to architecture.

[Joe Hancock]

My observations have been that really bouncy turf is the best introduction to architectural features, and their relevance to the game. When the golfer is forced to find a different way to play because of the ground, they start to understand things like contour, bunker placement, etc.

[Steve Lang]

Grandpa Joe,


You mean like the Par 3's at The Mines?




Ira, I typically start with big view... what's that feature doing there?  Did the designer get paid by the yard, cubic yard or per diem???  Small view discussion only works when one can hit the ball distance and where aimed, so most appropriate for discussing greens first.

[David_Tepper]

Ira -

You might start by discussing 2 or 3 of the holes at Augusta National. Just about any (maybe even every) U.S. golfer has watched the Masters over the years and has some sense of how the holes look and play, especially those on the back-9.

Holes 12 & 13 offer a lot to talk about in terms of their design.

DT 

[Cal Carlisle]

Since these are typically discussions we have while golfing, I usually ask what their two favorite and least favorite holes are on the course we are playing (assuming they've played it before). What do they like about their favorites? What would they change about the ones they don't like. The exchange usually expands from there. Many just think it's too much to think about.

[Kyle Harris]

Green to next tee walks/other negative space.


If they’re cart riders then get them to consider the walk.

[Ally Mcintosh]

In my experience, going to micro too soon will just confuse someone who has not considered architecture before.

My go too is the basic strategy around a hole design players will see in virtually every course they play. A mid length par 4 with a fairway bunker on one side of the landing zone and a corresponding greenside bunker on the opposite side short of the green. This is a good example to discuss how tee shot selections impacts the difficulty of an approach shot. A challenging shot will have to be hit at one point on the hole, as a player you have the choice as to where that shot is played.

Typically after this brief example their mind is a bit more primed to think of strategic intent around a design feature and the cause / effect relationship to architecture.

This is exactly how I introduce the topic.

[archie_struthers]

 
Joe Hancock well said! Ira it's nice to see your partner might be leading the family forward LOL

[Peter Sayegh]

Bunker placement.

[Ira Fishman]

Joe Hancock well said! Ira it's nice to see your partner might be leading the family forward LOL

Archie, the wallpaper on her phone is a photo from The Island Club!