On some of the old courses that I know, a common feature is the swale. Grande undulations create a dramatic feel and when they're really large, they often give me this interesting sensation of being dwarfed by the natural environment.

I've always really liked the dramatic, roller-coaster effect that they provide.

These swales also create interesting lies and serve to direct water run-off. They often result in blind shots as well - which may be why I'm not seeing them in newer courses.

Is the swale being consciously erased from modern architecture?

What are your thoughts on the swale?

North Berwick's #16 "Gate Hole" has an incredible five foot deep swale between the front and back plateaus.  I think this predates the swale on every Biarritz green, and has to be seen to be believed.  I hit my second shot to the right front of the green, actually on a closely mown area, and failed to see how the swale cut into my line to the pin.  My putt absolutely and unexpectedly disappeared into that swale!     I was very happy to putt up close to the front pin and made my bogey!  I'll try find the photo of the green that  I posted in May after my trip to Scotland.

adam ....if one was to generalize  , drainage in the past was conveyed more on the surface than now , water was allowed to run atop the ground for a longer distances .....whether by utilizing natural terrain or creating it.

   its easier for todays agronomy to get water in the ground quicker ....long sheet flows can be worrisome to some.....resulting in more catch basins and less long and deep swales.

this is a generalzation  , not my preference.

Is the swale being consciously erased from modern architecture?

General movement is being erased from modern architecture giving way to bowling alley smooth fairways and greens.  Most modern architects think contaiment mounding (of which all are the same size and shape) is interesting architecture.

Adam,
Once again, a great topic of which I hope this post gets more then 3000 hits. You always seem to come up with the best topics. Thanks!

I love swales, especially when they are natural or have been refined from nautral movements. Billy Bell was great at swales because they usually were natural or refined and he used them for surface drainage, unlike Arnold Palmer, King Fizzio, and Jack Nicklaus who seem to nowadays have drains in each and every swale, dip, ridge, grass bunker, friggin' containment mound or anything else to add to the cost and justify their existence.

All of you architects out there that are using these things in hopes of PERFECT drainage to compliment your massive earthmovements on sites that really never needed it---as my govenor Arnold Sharwznegger would say, "Too Hell Vitch You" and may you all be banned from building and designing golf courses forever.