the short par four as antidote to 350 yard drives

[Tommy Williamsen]

I can't seem to remember where I read it, it may have been T&L Golf edition.  Nonetheless, Gary Player stated something to the effect that building courses longer and longer just plays into the hands of the bomber.  He feels that every course should have four or five short, but thought provoking par fours and par threes.  There is not a shortage of them and I do not need to inform you as to which ones they are. You have your favorites.
I think he is on to something.  If you agree are five too many--too few?

[JESII]

Shivas

I think you understand the point of the question though don't you.

Tommy

Absolutely correct, and that is why the best architects today are trying to build them more often than perhaps the architects of the 50's - 80's. When you have too many shorts you get complaints from some of the longer players about their driver being taken out of their hands, which is an issue because length is as much skill as a good wedge game. I like the idea of maybe one short par three (>150yds) and two or three short par fours.

Sully

[JESII]

Shivas,

I would argue that only one of those three variables are needed for the longer hitters to get to 350.

Sully

[Donnie Beck]

I don't have any problem with 350 yd drives what I do have a problem with is 190 yd 7 irons.

[Steve Mann]

donnie-

thanks to the loft/lie machine many people are hitting irons farther than ever.  think about this for a moment.....a typical pw loft 5-6 years ago was 50*, now manufacturers are churning out pw's with 44-45* of loft.  so, in summary, the standard lofts on most clubs nowadays are 1.5 to 2 clubs longer than just 5-6 years ago.
 

[A.G._Crockett]

I would add the long par 3 to the short par 4 as antidotes to distance problem.  The most bizarre idea in the world of sports over the past few years has been lengthening golf courses to compensate for golf balls being hit a long way.  

At one point during the debate over the possibility of raising the height of the basket to bring back the little man in basketball, the late Al McGuire said something to the effect of "If you want make little guys more important, put the basket in a hole in the floor.  The higher you put the basket, the MORE important you make height."  He was right, and the same applies to the long ball in golf.

[A_Clay_Man]

This premise is only accurate if those who are screaming that the sky is falling, are wrong. Which is it?

[A.G._Crockett]

This premise is only accurate if those who are screaming that the sky is falling, are wrong. Which is it?

Adam,
I think the premise is accurate either way.  I DO NOT think that the sky is falling, but to whatever extent anyone else does, or distance in general needs to be lessened as a factor in GCA,  I think this premise/approach makes much, much more sense than lengthening courses.

[A_Clay_Man]

Absolutely 100% agreed, A.G.

It's rather obvious, from the scores the pros shoot, on these extended monsters versus what they shoot at places like Pebble, Riviera, and Westchester.

From the first shepherds, and milatary, progression and improving, has been core to the growth of the sport.

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