Himalayas Impersonators

[Paul Carey]

I am doing some research on Himalayas like putting courses.  There is a lot of information on Thistle Du and Bandon.  What other courses have been built in the past and what are the positives and negatives?  These items may be design, location from the clubhouse and/or bar, difficulty etc.


For example I think Thistle Du is brilliant.  Due to the amount of play there is a lot of room (unlike the previous version) it is right next to the clubhouse and bar.  I bet the 91st hole at Pinehurst is setting records for alcohol sales.


Thanks!


Paul

[Ally Mcintosh]

There is one primary reason that the Himalayas in St.Andrews is so successful: That is because it is public, connected to the strand and frequented more by non or occasional golfers (passers-by) than it is by those in the town to play the courses. It is a very different type of facility than high-end clubs / pay-and-plays where the only catchment are those hardcore golfers staying on site.


That’s not to knock the clubs adding this facility because it’s a wonderful addition anywhere.


Still, it’s that public putting green idea that has always intrigued me. To that end, I’ve pitched an idea to Strandhill GC in Ireland that they can use 2 spare acres of land adjoining the beach strand / surf shops / pubs / ice cream parlours to create a jointly run putting green, accessible from the main beach road in the village where an outdoor market resides. Huge walk-by trade in the summer months.


The idea has gone down very well with everyone. Hope we can bring it to fruition.


(Apologies for not really answering your question.)

[Derek_Duncan]

Paul, the putting course outside the cabins at Gamble Sands is out of this world. The contours are extreme(ly fun), it's perfectly positioned for "night games" and during the day there are great views of the Columbia River Valley.

[Paul Carey]

A couple more details.  The area is about 20,000 square feet of sand a couple hundred yards from the ocean.  The potential site would be contiguous to the club and an out door bar/restaurant that gets quite busy.  It would not be "public" but well placed and we have a lot of short term members that rent for a week or more in the summer.

[Duncan Cheslett]

Dr MacKenzie designed a putting course in The Pavilion Gardens, a public park in Buxton, at the same time that he was working on Cavendish GC.


It was built but subsequently abandoned in the 1950s, presumably as it was not paying its way.


An old photograph exists which shows it to be very undulating in the manner of the Himalayas. Evidence of this remains on the ground - I must pop by and take some photos.


http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,37383.msg767794.html#msg767794

[John Mayhugh]

There is one primary reason that the Himalayas in St.Andrews is so successful: That is because it is public, connected to the strand and frequented more by non or occasional golfers (passers-by) than it is by those in the town to play the courses. It is a very different type of facility than high-end clubs / pay-and-plays where the only catchment are those hardcore golfers staying on site.


That’s not to knock the clubs adding this facility because it’s a wonderful addition anywhere.


Still, it’s that public putting green idea that has always intrigued me. To that end, I’ve pitched an idea to Strandhill GC in Ireland that they can use 2 spare acres of land adjoining the beach strand / surf shops / pubs / ice cream parlours to create a jointly run putting green, accessible from the main beach road in the village where an outdoor market resides. Huge walk-by trade in the summer months.


The idea has gone down very well with everyone. Hope we can bring it to fruition.


(Apologies for not really answering your question.)

Completely agree with Ally.

[Thomas Dai]

I go along with Ally too.
Once upon a time many, many town/city parks had a muni putting green (and often a pitch and putt course too) and they were the places many of us first played golf, frequently with Mum and Dad, brothers and sisters, grandparent, cousins, friends etc. It seems like most of these facilities have now gone. A great shame. Bringing them back in some way or another would be wonderful.
Atb

[Kalen Braley]

Whats the annual cost in materials, mowing, labor, etc to keep one going, assuming they are approx 1/2 acre in size?

[Pete_Pittock]

There used to be a lighted one at Sagebrush     Gearhart Golf Links has one near their 1st green/9 tee area. It is circled by mounding and has a small bar.

[Brian Ross]

Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan built an awesome 30,000 SF putting green behind their distillery, named Welter's Folly. Golf needs more of this.


https://www.journeymandistillery.com/golf

[Howard Riefs]

A few more new ones...


Sea Island
Driftwood Putting Course
1 acre
https://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/sea-island-renovation-plantation-course-update
 
Streamsong
The Gauntlet
2 acres
https://www.streamsongresort.com/streamsong-black-course/

[Paul Carey]

Thank you.   I appreciate your help.

[Bill Gayne]

I like the creativity.


https://www.richmond.com/food-drink/restaurant-news/hotel-greene---the-indoor-mini-golf-place-with/article_d9cd3cbb-a6b9-500d-9db3-506bc58e0739.html

[Chris Macios]

There is a putting course in North Berwick adjacent to the club, not to be confused with the children’s course out by the 16th hole. I believe the putting course is maintained seasonally and is open for all to enjoy. Even more “in town” than Himalayas

[Ryan Hillenbrand]

There used to be one at Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, until a sinkhole swallowed it up 2 years ago

[Tony_Muldoon]

There is a putting course in North Berwick adjacent to the club, not to be confused with the children’s course out by the 16th hole. I believe the putting course is maintained seasonally and is open for all to enjoy. Even more “in town” than Himalayas

I've played this. It's not really Himalayas terrain nor is it particularly well maintained,with holes  not moved for weeks  on end. It's cheap with a man taking fees and lending clubs for a few months each summer.  Doubt it pays its way as it never seems that popular. I think there's a better one out by the Glen club.


By contrast new style crazy golf centres are doing a roaring trade in UK.  Not cheap to construct, with Astroturf and a theme like Pirates or Jurassic World, both with spectacular waterfalls with blue water and music blaring. Round London they have been the saviour of Driving ranges which are never full these days.  Not cheap to play either.