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BrianMcL

Volcano greens
« on: March 13, 2004, 01:37:44 PM »
What is with pushing up dirt 20-30 feet to create a green site?  I realize you can create some “dramatic” bunkers by cutting them into the faux hill, and you can get 15 feet of movement into the green.  The recovery shots from left right or long are often inordinately difficult.

I played a recently remodeled course in the Dallas area this week and hole after hole had volcano greens.  They took a nice lay of the land course, increased greens fees 50% and ended up with a course that is less playable than before, with some greens that are only missing windmills.

Forrest Richardson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Volcano greens
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2004, 01:54:05 PM »
Of course...the only true "volcano" greens are those at the Volcano Golf & CC on the Big Island of Hawaii — but they hardly meet the description above.

What you are describing is a push-up green, but perhaps to excess. Aside from the occasional existing feature which might suggest such a design, I'm not sure there is a trend or rationale for anything so penal sounding.

I found a "nice" and suitable spot for a green at The Hideout (Hole No. 13, 520-yards) and it approaches 15-20 feet on the left, back and front (maybe 10-feet) in terms of elevation above the surrounding terrain. The long shot inbound — let's say a second shot vying for the green — is a troublesome undertaking. However, the controlled short iron has little difficulty in holding the surface.

A Pete Dye course here in Arizona (Red Mountain CC) has a severe Redan green — although pointed at the golfer in true Redan meaning. I've seen players hit from one side to the other at the narrow front, finally giving up and hitting 70-degrees away from the target just to stop their ball on the putting surface! It was fun watching this, I must admit.
— Forrest Richardson, Golf Course Architect/ASGCA
    www.golfgroupltd.com
    www.golframes.com

Mark_Fine

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Volcano greens
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2004, 01:55:53 PM »
Flynn did one at The Naval Academy in Annapolis.  

johnnyjumpstart

Re:Volcano greens
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2004, 03:46:49 PM »
 Sequoyah State Park in Oklahoma has an 18 hole course with a wonderful Volcano green on a par 3. johnny

Mike Hendren

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Volcano greens
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2004, 04:03:11 PM »
Rees Jones has relocated and dramatically pushed up the first green at Belle Meade.  Rather than volcano, the membership is calling is a "birthday cake" before the course even reopens.

Mike
Two Corinthians walk into a bar ....

ian

Re:Volcano greens
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2004, 04:04:38 PM »
This is my absolute favourite 'Het Gridle (sp.?)" at Gleneagles (Kings), by James Braid. This is one of my favourite threes in the world. I remember this being around 165 yards which was quite fair.



There are two examples at the CC of Buffalo and I posted both. Always wanted to build one this dramatic.

wsmorrison

Re:Volcano greens
« Reply #6 on: March 13, 2004, 05:02:23 PM »
Mark,
Right you are.  Flynn's volcano green is #17 at US Naval Academy.
Regards,
Wayne

Jeff_Mingay

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Volcano greens
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2004, 05:15:05 PM »
Ian,

How about Stanley Thompson's 4th at Highlands Links?

And, there's also Donald Ross' awesome 13th at Franklin Hills in Detroit.

Both short, short par 4s.
jeffmingay.com

Joe Hancock

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Volcano greens
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2004, 05:17:55 PM »
The 15th at Pilgrim's Run is a good'n.

http://www.pilgrimsrun.com/course/15.htm

Joe
" What the hell is the point of architecture and excellence in design if a "clever" set up trumps it all?" Peter Pallotta, June 21, 2016

"People aren't picking a side of the fairway off a tee because of a randomly internally contoured green ."  jeffwarne, February 24, 2017

mark chalfant

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Volcano greens
« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2004, 05:19:20 PM »
    The   eighth  at  Misquamicut  RI,     c.170 yds,
is a beauty