With all of the trees and shrubs bare, does winter provide the best time to study a golf course's architecture ?

I am often amazed of how much more you can see the slopes on a green during the winter.  My guess has always been the lower angle of the sun provides this effect.

Access is also a bit easier.

I really, really hope your theories are correct. I'm off to see a potential golf course site in Nova Scotia, Sunday. And, I'm scared!

It's gonna be cold, which is fine. I just hope there's no snow on the ground. If your theories are correct, I'll have a good look at the property!

This would probably explain why I have never been fully able to appreciate Ted Robinson's brand of golf architecture-the humidity and the sunlight always seem to be the same here in SoCal!

It is also the best time to take green committee members around so they can see for themselves the effect a prudent tree removal plan would have.

"2.  If a course needs to be denuded of vegetation in order for it's greatness to be revealed, it is not a great course.  Great courses reveal themselves even when fully clothed, just like great women."

Rich,

Great courses are still great even if tree proliferation impacts the effects of wind, strategic play and agronomic conditions.  The architectural underpinning remains.  But wouldn't the course be even better if with a sound tree removal plan where encroachment compromises playability?  If this is the case, the winter season (Tommy N--here in the NE at any rate) is an excellent time to show what can be and it does register even with some of the most dense members of green committees.

Tom

As usual you are terribly, tragically worng.  But, as it's just golf and women we're tallking about, iit doesn't really matter.......

  Good topic.
  Played Shinnecock yesterday and played shots from a variety of tee boxes. Given the rough was cut down we got to play a few shots from different angles, since we normally wouldn't have found the ball in summer. Winter gives you a cleaner perspective on the flow of the terrain. The summer  obscures the overrall contours. When there is no high grass the routing becomes much more visible.
  I really found the view walking up the 14th even more striking than in the summer. It was something to see the large hill on the right completely barren and the way the green teased you from a distance.
  The other thing you take note of (from the 13th tee box) is the incredible string of golf holes there will be looking west as you see Sebonack take shape. With the Peconic Bay in the distance I don't think there is a better view in golf.

 ...  Played Shinnecock yesterday ... Winter gives you a cleaner perspective on the flow of the terrain. The summer  obscures the overrall contours. When there is no high grass the routing becomes much more visible.
  I really found the view walking up the 14th even more striking than in the summer. It was something to see the large hill on the right completely barren and the way the green teased you from a distance.
  .....

Brian,

  The 14th has always been my favorite at Shinnecock. Here's a picture from summer 2003. Although the grass is high, the recent tree clearance has made visible even a right-side flag. I'd love to see some winter pictures.

Neil