[Ryan Crago]

In many ways, this is preaching to the choir, but bear with me...

In a recent discussion with a respected member of the golf and architecture community, I was told quite directly that "minimalism" was in fact, a trend... a trend that would pass just like bellbottoms, synth rock, and flannel shirts.  

Though I remain thoroughly unconvinced - the economic, environmental, and social benefits (not to mention golf/playing interest benefits)  are too strong to deny - upon considering the history and evolution of a variety a design mediums including golf architecture, there has always been an progression of styles and concepts.  

Is it naive to think that golf architecture would not see continued evolution?  Will the evolution be AWAY from minimalist ethic, or merely WITHIN it?  Are designers in danger of 'pigeonholing' themselves within a certain style, that might go the way of the 8-track?

the questions are numerous, and maybe we need to push the GCA party-line, and our own potentially biased opinions aside to address it.

thoughts?

[Tom_Doak]

Ryan:

Was that RTJ, Jr. you were visiting with?  I've heard him say the very same thing.

I am not too worried about becoming pigeonholed.  We've done a variety of courses over the years.  But, being known as a dreaded "minimalist" is a good thing when the client believes they have an excellent piece of ground for golf -- as most clients with great pieces of ground believe.

The thing about evolution is that there is never a final state, and the trend line may or may not be a reflection of what's good; it's only a response to the sites one gets to work on.  If there aren't any more great sites, or if environmental laws further force architects to do unnatural construction in order to preserve the pristine environment around the course [or to only build on landfills], then minimalism will fall back in favor of more heavy earthmoving.  But as long as there are good sites, there are going to be architects who can figure out how to make good use of them without changing the world.

[Chris Moore]

Seems to me that it is just a label, like "conservative" or "liberal".  Labels tend to obscure or distort the details.  

[Tim Pitner]

It certainly is a trend from a marketing perspective.  You didn't used to see "we only had to move x cublic feet of dirt" as a marketing ploy in the past.  And I suspect that won't last.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Ryan,

I once heard a speech by the founder of Cobra Golf Equipment, and it was based on the idea of the difference of "fads" and "trends" with fads being short lived, and trends having some legs.  It sounds like your gca may have been confusing the two.

Yes, you can bet that it will change, possibly in several divergent directions at the same time, or branching into minimalism, superminimalism, situational minimalism, etc.

In addition to changing with tastes, it will change with sites as Tom D mentions, construction technology, new environmental rules, and things we can't even begin to imagine, like new grasses.  Golf Architects generally do what's best for the client, and minimalism will always be one solution, and a preferred one on great sites.

I would be interested to hear an analysis of the economic and "social" benefits of minimalism.  I understand the theory of economic benefits - and there are some, but not as much as presumed, because earthmoving represents perhaps 10% of the overall budget for a golf facility.  Moving less may reduce ongoing maintenance costs (i.e. avoids the slower mowing production on mounds).

How you think "minimalism" would improve society as a whole?  Just curious.

[John Chilver-Stainer]

Minimalism has always been around.
It just doesn’t always catch the eye of the public.

I suppose you would call more extravagant styles « a trend » since the journalist’s pick up the marketing spin and push a good story – thus the media make the « trend » which in turn influence the public.

More interesting would be if the hîdden « trend » of « Fast and Firm », which is creeping back into the media’s jargon, get’s a good « long run ».

[Ryan Crago]

Tom D,

I certainly appreciate your take... Not RTJ jr. but someone who subscribes to his way of thinking.  

I can see that you would not be concerned with "pigeonholing", as you've carved out a great career and firm for yourself.   I think you'd admit that you have been fortunate to work on some fantastic sites recently... putting that aside for the purpose of discussion and departing from the original argument for a minute, what about the budding architect who is trying to meet his personal ethic of minimalist design - yet, is given a less-than-stellar site to work with?  Is that when "minimalism" starts becoming what Kyle Phillips recently referred to as "Naturalism"?  Its a fine line i'm sure.. and perhaps not even worth identifying.

I am reluctant to label, as Chris said, but trends and marketing seem to be the drivers of new course development.

Jeff,

very briefly, social well-being is an equal partner in the legs of sustainability as i'm sure you know... all three (enviro, economic, social) being inextricably linked... therefore, minimalist design CAN ultimately benefit the environment by preserving or restoring natural systems, reducing construction and maintenance costs (every little bit counts), and improving the global image of what "golf course" has come to mean within society (ie/ negative enviro impacts, exclusivity etc etc.. and yes, i am aware of the fallacies.. but they are/were rooted in some truth).  Add to that the idea of public golf, and promoting the game's democratic roots, golf courses can be seen as social amenity by all, rather than just by golfers.

IMHO of course.

and I swear i'll stop saying "minimalism" soon.



 

[Ryan Farrow]

If you talk to someone who knows absolutely nothing about golf architecture and explain to them the current trends in the business they are immediately drawn to minimalism. Most people think that moving excessive amounts of dirt around and building the same holes on different sites is pretty lame.

For a golf course architect or anyone educated in the subject to say minimalism is a trend downright is laughable.

[Mike_Young]

I don't think minimalism has or will ever be a trend.  I just think it has been described in different ways.
I do think that it has helped bring about changes in the architecture business for the better.  I think you see many more architects today that do not hide the fact that they are also in the construction of the course.  During the nineties it was not considered "professional" by many to be building your own project yet it was being done under the table by a few.   I think the current trend has also changed the way drawings are viewed.  We used to do twice the drawings knowing they would never be used but needing them in order to justify existence.  Now we just design our project and work to have it open and functioning.  And each is different.

[Forrest Richardson]

I think "minimalism" is not a trend. It is simply (when honestly pursued) a way of building and a means by which design is kept in check. Simply put: The design follows nature with no hesitation.

On the other hand, the pursuit of that "classic look" is probably a trend indeed.

Again (as I have recounted this many times) ... a graphic designer named Charles Spencer Anderson shook the world of print design many years ago by regurgitating old 30s, 40s and 50s images and using them on annual reports, brochures and packaging. America (and the world) responded and we went through a period of retro design using old imagery and not much fresh. This was not to say that the designs were bad...how could they be? They were all the best old designs just re-born and used again, all be them in different settings and with a bit of fresh text and color.

In golf design the pursuit of "that classic look" may be exactly what the project calls for...but, yes, it is a trend.

Give me fresh, innovative and new designs — that transcends trendy-ness.

[Mike_Young]

I think you got it there FR.

[Doug Ralston]

It's an expression of art [No! Not Art, art]!

Like all art forms, golf course design has a lot of ways to express the insights of the creator. Minimalism is a very cool one IMHO. But I also think Victoria National is special. I CAN love more than one art form in this field as in painting, sculpture, chess etc.

Looking forward to playing the Notre Dame course by C&C, my 1st chance to see their work. Where else in IN, OH, KY should I look for 'minimal'? I have seen, and loved, Art Hill's venture in that direction [if you would call it that].

But try not to close your mind by obsessing on 'minimalism'; it is a great concept, but not the only worthy one. Okey Doaky?

Doug

[Ryan Crago]

so what i'm hearing then:

minimalism is an approach to design that might be better defined as "low impact" or "least possible impact required to provide inspiring golf" (though, neither are nearly as sexy... or marketable, for that matter).

under this approach however, we can find assumingly endless numbers of design, aesthetic, and maintenance regimes, as evidenced by Doak saying that they've built "a variety of different courses" over the past few years, all under the minimalist philosophy.  If one were to categorize these regimes, each could be defined as "trends", under the greater umbrella.  "That Classic Look" as identified by Richardson as example.

Green building architecture advocates often talk about how they look forward to the day that the term "green building" doesn't exist... or need to exist... rather, that green building just becomes the most logical, best and economical way of building.  in other words, a best practice.

does this differ in golf architecture?  shouldn't the "minimalist" or "low impact" approach not simply be a best practice?  

have i simplified too much? or stating the obvious?  i feel like the definition is misunderstood by many, including the gca who originally told me that it was merely a trend.

[Phil Benedict]

It seems to me that the nature of the sites is the key.  Many of the key "minimalist" shrines are in really remote places - Bandon, Sand Hills, Cape Kidnappers, where somebody with a lot of money decided to build a golf course(s).  Friars Head is an exception as far as being remote but big money is critical here as well.  Are there any minimalist shrines in Florida, which is easy to get to but the land is pretty featureless?  

Are fake mounds, waterfalls and signature holes a trend?

[Tom_Doak]

Ryan:

I do think of my approach to design as something of a "best practice" solution to creating interesting golf holes, but others would disagree.  And the Big World Theory clearly protects the rights of others to take a much different approach to earthmoving, as long as they aren't doing anything ecologically or financially unsound.

But even the term "best practices" has gotten abused over the past few years ... in many cases it seems to be code for "we are going to be just as sound as the next guy" without committing to anything in particular.  It's no wonder that non-golfers mistrust the permit process.

[Cliff Walston]

Personally, I find this thread very interesting and appreciate you starting it Ryan.  

Tom D, how would you fit something like The Rawls Course into the "minimalism" rubric?

By the way, I have played it twice this summer, and for a guy growing up playing golf in the pine coridors of the south, I think it is one of the most fun courses I have ever played.  

[Brian Joines]

I think that the minimalist approach will only be a trend if the player's interest/love for this style is also a trend. Most of the minimalist courses seem to be very successful, ie. Sand Hills region, Bandon, Sebonac, Friar's Head etc. etc.  If this style is still appealing to the golfers, I don't see this architectural style fading. (until, God forbid, we run out of good land)

[Gary Daughters]

Jeff Brauer:

Thanks for making the distinction between trend and fad as it is not unimportant.

But here's where you hit the home run:

"Yes, you can bet that it will change, possibly in several divergent directions at the same time, or branching into minimalism, superminimalism, situational minimalism, etc."

Maybe you're just free-forming there, but if you have concrete ideas as to what any of those concepts might entail I'd be fascinated to know what you're thinking.

Several months ago I started a thread that I named "Beyond Minimalism," and was disappointed that it never got any legs.  

Those of us who are not GCAs have the luxury of looking at what you do as an art form.  And so we expect it to evolve.

You guys in the business of product delivery may view it differently.  As in.. if it ain't broke don't fix it.

[Tags:]

Tags:

[Tags:]

Tags:

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()