How often is an aerial shot the only option on a Links Course?

[Pat Ruddy]

Sorry, an addendum.....
Aerial doesn't equate with penal.
Variety is the spice of life and that is one of the charms of links life.

[John Chilver-Stainer]

Mark,

Thanks for the insight into Deal.
Will the on-going renovations have any effect on the “bump- and runability” of the course?


Evan,

A very good example of no “bump and run” here. The green has a deep ledge to stop the ball running through, however putting down the hill when it’s fast will require a good touch.


Brian,

Terrific photo of the 15th Green at Royal Aberdeen.  Do you know if the bunker always stretched across the full width of the green? It has a sort of “modern” look about it.  Is it possible that the left hand side “feed” was deliberatly blocked off by some “well meaning” Greens Committee to make the approach more difficult – a pity if it was.


Phil,

Thanks for your insight into Machrihanish.
On their web site the open sand dunes appear to have come more into play than now !!
http://www.machgolf.com/machrihanish-past.php


Tom Doak,

Thanks for the run down of your courses. It gives a good insight in to your course playability.

If I may ask the question – do you design intentionally for certain holes to allow the ball to bounce and be fed in from off the green as the only reasonable strategy – in other words a direct shot to the green would probably run through -  and if so how often would you consider doing it in a round?


Pat Ruddy

Thanks for your informative comments to the question and the list of “must aerials” of some of the links courses in Ireland.
 I can not agree more, that variety is the spice and charm of the links courses. The opposite being one dimensionality and repetition.  

I think the penal philosophy and aerial shots can be closely related. The penal philosophy of hazards blocking off the line of play  more  or  less dictates an aerial shot and would certainly restrict the amount of “ground strategy” available.

I’m certainly not against the odd aerial approach, in fact the odder the better. The heroic aerial shot over a valley or water is always a highlight in any round however too much of it and the highlight dims. The more humble “bump and run” using side hills and “feeds” from fairway undulations can be just as satisfying and, when successfully carried out, more rewarding.

[Pat Ruddy]

John Stainer
We agree on so, so much!
However, I do feel that the word "penal" can be over used.  I much prefer "adventure" and such should attach to the ground ball game, too.
It is not necessarily "penal" to ask a player to display this skill or that at intervals .....  
After all, ACHIEVEMENT is what it is all about.