Defenseless courses

[Joe Hancock]

In the Kapalua thread, it was mentioned several times that the course is "defenseless" without the wind. What makes it defenseless? Because of the design element of providing the run in shot? I watch the pros play on Kapalua, and wonder if some of those side hill lies wouldn't provide defense? Maybe part of the idea of the course being defenseless is that it really would play much shorter than it's yardage without wind. What other natural elements or design features render a course defenseless?

Joe

[Jeremy_Glenn.]

What would Kapalua or any other course need "defending" from?  Aren't the players playing against each other?  The course is the stage; it's not the opponent.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

I don't know about you, but my definition of "defenseless courses" is any classic that is about to allow a Tom Fazio associate on the grounds.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Jeremy Glenn,

There is no defense in GOLF.

The object is to get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible.  You play the BALL not the opponent.

JHancock,

The same could be said of Seminole and other courses.

Without the wind, the course is fairly benign and scoring is easier.  But, the wind is the norm, not a quiet day.

Many courses were built with the wind as a design factor,
and some courses like Seminole have winds that usually sweep the golf course daily.  
Typically, the velocity and direction of the wind are the only variables.

As an example, the 10th hole at Seminole is relatively easy with no wind.  But, a wind from the north or east makes the hole considerably harder.

Since the wind is almost constant, a quiet day provides less of a challenge and scoring relief.

[Philippe_Binette]

Kapalua was defenseless because the configuration of the course ( wide fairways, open greens ) was built to be playable in very tough conditions. Without those conditions, the course plays easily.... That's all it means.

In other words, it is too playable for the quality of players...

[A_Clay_Man]

Jeremy- I always was under the impression that in stroke play you are playing against the course and yourself. And in Match play you are playing the opponent.

[Paul Richards]

Kapalua was indeed "defenseless" against the onslaught of Ernie Els this weekend.  The trade winds blow hard over Kapalua at this time of year, but, for four days, there wasn't even a breath of wind.

It reminds me of the 1989 PGA Championship held at Kemper Lakes in Chicago.  Kemper is an extremely difficult course with tons of water, and the wind usually howls out there.  However, for the four days of the '89 PGA, there wasn't a hint of wind, and the pros ate it up, with Payne Stewart winning.

Kemper had been on the Golf Digest Top 100 list prior to that.  But with the pro's shooting such low scores, it's reputation for difficulty was forever marred and it quickly has dropped in most everyone's estimation.