Walk-On's and Walk-Off's

[Steve Burrows]

How heavily does the location of these influence the design of a given green site?  The routing of the following hole?

More often than not, people seem to take the short route to where they want to go, from the fairway, to the cart, to the greenside bunker, to the green, to the next tee, etc.  How much do designers subdue or moderate features to account for this, or to lead players where THEY want them to go?  How are design features compromised for the sake of circulation?  

Also, might turf wear in these areas be a function of poor design?  A function of a poor superintendent?  The players themselves?

[A.G._Crockett]

My experience tells me that this is a cart-ball issue only.  Walkers come at greens and tees from a variety of angles.  Riders ALL come at greens and tees from primarily the exact same angle.  Another unfortunate aspect of cart-ball...

[Steve Burrows]

On the contrary, even predominantly walking courses are subject to this.

Or, for example, consider the 16th green at Augusta.  Even during the relatively light traffic that they get during the tournament, there are significant wear patterns just before the back-right bunker, as players walk to the the 17th hole.  No matter the hole location, players will exit to the right of the green between the bunkers.

Cart traffic exacerbates the situation, to be sure, but it is not isolated.

[Mike Benham]

I know of a private club that has resisted allowing pull carts (trolleys) because they feel that with trolleys, golfers will concentrate their walk-ons and walk-offs to a specific area which will add additional stress to the turf area.

[Rich Goodale]

My local club (Aberdour) changed the routing about 10 years ago to mitigate the minor effects of trolley traffic on one hole and completely screwed up the flow of the course.  I was on the Committee at the time and agrued against it, but was a voice in the wilderness, which is something I am getting used to......

[Kalen Braley]

Come back to us Rich, come back...

BTW, is that coffee in that mug or something with an even higher octane level?  

[Rich Goodale]

Kalen

That the famous Ansel Adams' photograph entitled:

"Tom Paul--Looking for a Clue"

Rich

[David_Tepper]

Steve B. -

I asked a similar question on this board a couple of years ago. Several GCA's who participate regularly did respond. As best I can recall, they did say that they are very cognizant of walk-ons and walk-offs when doing green sites, especially on courses that are expected to have heavy carts usage.

DT  

[Adam Clayman]

The best use of this I have seen is at Lawsonia.
 I disagree with A.G. and think the use of well conceived walk off paths is primarily for the walker.

One fascinating thing Pete Dye did on the original Valey nine at Blackwolf Run was on the 14th hole "Nature's Course". The lack of an exit path at the rear of the green made me think it was a design flaw. After learning more about Pete I had to re-think tht opinion and I came to the conclusion that it was Pete's attempt to allow the golfer a second look at one of the most serene parts of the entire property. The area to the left of the fairway as it tumbles down to the green, and, to the left of the subsequent hole "Mercy" where a small reparian snakes it's way to the Sheboygan river.