Have Golf Course Rankings Been Shaped by Left Brain Thinkers

[Peter Pallotta]

I asked Pat Mucci a question on his recent PV thread that I hope he gets a chance to answer.  But in asking the question it brought to mind another question, and this thread.

In popular psychology, the theory of the structure/function of the mind suggests that the two sides of the brain lead to two different modes of thinking. Put simply (crudely?), left-side dominant types tend to be logical/rational, to think sequentially and analytically, to strive for objectivity, and to explore the individual parts/elements instead of the whole; while right-side dominant types, on the other hand, tend to be intuitive, to think randomly and holistically, to value subjectivity, and to look at the whole instead of at individual elements/parts.

Have the traditional crop of course rankings/best of lists been shaped by left-brained types? If so, has that been changing recently?  

Peter

PS - the question I asked Pat is: if a group of very accomplished amateurs can "appreciate" but not "love" PV, is its greatness as much theoretical as it is actual/practical, and much more a matter of the head than it is of the heart?

[Jim_Kennedy]

PP,
I don't know if you could ever get an answer to the question. People may favor one side of their brain, but it's not like they're 100% one side or the other.

Here's one test ( I took it - came out 59R/41L):
http://www.wherecreativitygoestoschool.com/vancouver/left_right/rb_test.htm

edit: PV is 'actually' great because it exists, it was theoretically great when it was on paper. Loving or not loving it is immaterial, no?   

[Carl Rogers]

Probably because:

Left Brain quantifies and is easier to express ....

while Right Brain experiences

[Mac Plumart]

Jim, my results...



Thank you for taking the Creativity Test. The results show your brain dominance as being:


Left Brain Right Brain
66% 34%

You are more left-brained than right-brained. Your left brain controls the right side of your body. In addition to being known as left-brained, you are also known as a critical thinker who uses logic and sense to collect information. You are able to retain this information through the use of numbers, words, and symbols. You usually only see parts of the "whole" picture, but this is what guides you step-by-step in a logical manner to your conclusion. Concise words, numerical and written formulas and technological systems are often forms of expression for you. Some occupations usually held by a left-brained person include a lab scientist, banker, judge, lawyer, mathematician, librarian, and skating judge.


I am a portfolio manager and a rater of golf courses...but not a skating judge, yet.  

[Dan Herrmann]

Myers-Briggs is your friend....  I'm an ENFP, and I look at golf courses with the same eye as I look at fine art.  A great golf course tells a story to me.

And, yes, I know that a lot of you think I'm crazy

And, yes, ratings seem to be left-brain oriented.

[Peter Pallotta]

My right brain ways (69 R / 31 L) intuits a reason why a course like NGLA ranked in the bottom 50 for so many years, and why a course like Pasatiempo didn't even make the list for 25 years.  If you left brainers want to say their recent (re) ascendency is because of differing maintenance practices or renovations/restorations or greater exposure, be my guest -- keep nibbling around the edges of logic and individual factors, and missing the whole!!  

Peter

[Mike Nuzzo]

Peter
A data point for you:  my results  48/52
Which is what I'd prefer given how competent my analytical side performs
Cheers

[Alex Lagowitz]

I feel rankings are very left-brained.
They often follow a points and checklist versus a wholistic approach.
Parallel holes?
Number of left to right and so on....

I am very right brained and take a wholistic approach.  Sometimes I may incorporate small details but a great golf course should not be picked apart, but rather approached from the outside looking in.