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Tim Passalacqua

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What makes a great green site on a parkland course?
« on: July 12, 2024, 06:39:38 AM »
I know that some architects say they identify great green sites before they start routing the golf holes at the beginning of a project. What determines a great green site on a parkland course?

Ally Mcintosh

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Re: What makes a great green site on a parkland course?
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2024, 07:29:31 AM »
Depends what kind of parkland site you have in your mind (there are so many answers to this).


But in a really general way, if you are talking about gently rolling farmland, once you pick a site at the end of an attractive / interesting hole corridor, it is usually a good idea to ensure you have one side that naturally falls / drains and to not have any side where there is the chance of a huge wash-out from above. That way you can be a little more minimal in your building.

Tim Passalacqua

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Re: What makes a great green site on a parkland course?
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2024, 02:00:06 PM »
Depends what kind of parkland site you have in your mind (there are so many answers to this).


But in a really general way, if you are talking about gently rolling farmland, once you pick a site at the end of an attractive / interesting hole corridor, it is usually a good idea to ensure you have one side that naturally falls / drains and to not have any side where there is the chance of a huge wash-out from above. That way you can be a little more minimal in your building.


Thank you!

Thomas Dai

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Re: What makes a great green site on a parkland course?
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2024, 02:35:04 PM »
How much does ‘greatness’ depend on the original design and construction and how much on the ongoing maintenance regime?
Many a fine green on parkland courses even those designed by Mackenzie, Colt, etc have been adversely effected by for example, a maintenance regime that has permitted tree and vegetation growth to become excessive near the green in question.
Atb

Jeff_Brauer

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Re: What makes a great green site on a parkland course?
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2024, 04:02:16 PM »
Since greens usually slope back to front, finding a gentle slope facing the LZ is often the best green site.  It is up to the designer whether to take it to the top for a "skyline" backdrop or leave it somewhere just below the ridge to recreate some earth backing to replicate (usually puny compared to nature) sitting lower in some dunes.  Ross did this, as do most other architects.  Better players tend to like some turf above the putting surface to delineate the exact back edge of the green, at least where possible. 


That location also depends on the length you want the golf hole, and whether you are trying to balance cut and fill within the green site.  If you are, the center of the green is usually about the same elevation as the proposed elevation.  Sometimes, you raise it to get the bunker depth you want or drainage from above around the green.


Ally is correct that you prefer the ground to be sloping a bit left or right, in addition to the front.  You can drain a green into a slope, but then it always needs a catch basin somewhere above the green.  These can clog and run over the green which is never particularly desirable....Most greens drain out the front and then the back drains out to the low side.
Jeff Brauer, ASGCA Director of Outreach

Tim Passalacqua

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Re: What makes a great green site on a parkland course?
« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2024, 04:58:54 PM »
Since greens usually slope back to front, finding a gentle slope facing the LZ is often the best green site.  It is up to the designer whether to take it to the top for a "skyline" backdrop or leave it somewhere just below the ridge to recreate some earth backing to replicate (usually puny compared to nature) sitting lower in some dunes.  Ross did this, as do most other architects.  Better players tend to like some turf above the putting surface to delineate the exact back edge of the green, at least where possible.
Quote



Thank you, Jeff.  This is a great observation.  I used to be a member of Columbus Country Club in Ohio designed by Donald Ross. The first and third greens both play uphill to the same ridgeline. Both greens have been cut 5 to 6 feet below the ridgeline providing a much different effect than a skyline green.
« Last Edit: July 12, 2024, 05:00:26 PM by Tim Passalacqua »

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