[jeffwarne]

So I'm listening to a couple of dolts on the Golf Channel drone on about how firm and fast RM is
(they do comment on rain slowing it down a bit)
They mention the greens could run as fast as 15 for the event.

Are they missing the point of firm and fast?
As in firm fairways running out into trouble on marginal tee shots and FIRM greens not accepting shots from poor angles or nonreceptive lies?

Is the architecture that uncompelling that the greens need to run at 15
Was the course boring or unworthy of tournaments 40-80 years ago when the greens ran at half that?
And is it an unworthy test today if the greens aren't running at 15?
Which is it?

No doubt RM is both firm and fast and will be a treat to watch, but aren't most green chairs going to hear the words "15 on the stimp" and focus on that?

Faster greens and tighter approaches in my opinion often lead to softer conditions as the turf tends to need more water to survive.
Are we really promoting fun and interesting pin placements with greens that can accomodate 15 on the stimp?
To say nothing of sustainability

It's doubly disturbing to me when the one recent high profile course that promotes firmness and reasonable green speeds matched with the challenge of undulation, is on another thread referencing bankruptcy

[Dean Stokes]

It is so sad. I have mentioned this several times now that clubs are grading themselves and members like to boast "how fast" their greens are rather than how playable they are......if greens are stimping at 15 on the flat that means a downhill, downgrain, downwind putt has to be running at 25.....AWESOME!

[Randy Thompson]

Somebody just has to have the balls to prep them at 8 and watch the scores go up and
maybe then the speeds can come down.

[Matthew Delahunty]

Jeff,

There is no way the greens will be running at 15. At that speed on RM greens they'd be unplayable.

We had some soaking rain overnight and with more predicted over the week, conditions will be ok.  The forecast for Friday is for 33 degC and some high winds so the course may bear its teeth.  Otherwise, it could be a birdie fest.

[David_Elvins]

Jeff,

The greens won't run at 15.   I haven't been down there yet but firm greens seems to be the priority from what I have read.  

Don't assume that the greens ran at half that 40 year ago.  Lee trevino didn't walk off the course because the greens were at 8 on the stimpmeter.  Royal Melbourne has traditionally had hard and fast greens.  It is not a recent invention.

You also assume that the ground staff will water the greens to keep them alive.  Sandbelt folklore would be that the ideal tournament set up is one where the grass dies on the Monday after the tournament.  These guys no how to prepare fast greens without softening them.

[Scott Warren]

I think the lesson here is to ignore what you hear on the Golf Channel.

[Carl Nichols]

I think the lesson here is to ignore what you hear on the Golf Channel.

Or not listen at all

[jeffwarne]

I think the lesson here is to ignore what you hear on the Golf Channel.

Good answer

David,
i wasn't referencing RM when speaking about the need for speed creating softer conditions.
I have no doubt that weather permitting they will be firm

I was speaking more about clubs in general that cut tighter and closer every year(based on crap they hear on the Golf Channel ), yet approaches(and greens) seeem softer than ever to support such short grass

[Randy Thompson]

I think for the pga championship we had a similar thread where they were prediciting speeds of 15 and when game time came around they were around twelve or thirteen and no more. Gets lots of pre-tournament attention thats for sure! It makes more sence to go to a three inch diameter cup than it does to go to speeds any higher then twelve and a half IMHO!

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