Which architects past and present are the most artistic?

Nobody comes close to Mike Strantz, who was trained as an illustrator and worked for a few years as a commercial artist. His design work shows it.

If sticking to golf architecture, how about Desmond Muirhead? (Stone Harbor CC, et al.)

Tom,

What is your definition of "most artistic" as used in your question?  On paper?  On the ground?  In the mind?

Then I guess it is a matter of taste as is most things artistic.  There are different schools of artistry.  I prefer the natural school of golf architecture.  This subset can be looked at in two ways--immediate natural look and an evolutionary natural look.

The day Mackenzie finished Cypress Point it looked mature, having an immediate natural look.

The day Flynn's crew stopped work at Shinnecock Hills was not the final effect Flynn was looking for.  He designed and built in an evolutionary sense.  The effects of nature--growth and erosion would finish the job.

With today's modern equipment and skillful designers and shapers, the mature look can be immediately created.  The teams of Doak, Hanse, Coore and Crenshaw and others are wonderful at the various techniques that accomplish this.

Without a doubt Robert von Hagge.  Having seen original oils and sketches I have not seen any other work by the aforementioned people that really compare in quality.

I've seen a number of Ron Prichard's bunker drawings; they are beautiful and show a great sense of perspective and drawing skill.  

I once asked Ron what would be the first thing he'd suggest to someone wanting to become a golf architect.  His answer, learn how to draw.

At our Aberdeen office we have an artist employed on the books to sketch our ideas.  

I don't think anyone comes close to what he does.  Linda Hartough is probably the only one who is better but she does it from finished holes our guy does it before the hole is started.

Brian

"How many modern day architects still rely on hand drawn plans & sketches. It looks like it is dominated by computer
graphics and auto cad details? "

Johnny,

Ron's pencil drawings are sketched by hand and are as good as many artists I've seen come out of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.

Great pic, Tommy.

I love Gil's drawings in Geoff's book, and I love the drawings of Don Placek from Renaissance Golf. I'd bet a good bit that each has done some interesting artwork separate from their golf related drawings. And Gil is certainly an artist when it comes to designing and building courses.

I remember once a good while ago that Golf Digest ran a piece on drawings done by various people within golf - I think they were auctioned off for charity. Ben had a really nice drawing, Tom Fazio's was pretty good, and Steve Elkington's was excellent.

Ian Andrew has an excellent eye, as evinced in the photos he's posted - I'd bet he can draw well as well.

I don't know why this sticks in my head, but I feel like Jeremy Glenn posted something on here that showed some real artistic talent. Maybe it was a routing or something like that.

Jonny,

Are you going to the conference?  I am also staying an extra week after the conference in Edinburgh if you want to meet up, if you guys are there.

Brian

Robert Trent Jones was a very talented artist, by all acounts Pete Dye can't draw at all. But if you compare courses like The Golf Club, Casa de Campo and Harbour Town to Firestone, Dorado Beach and Palmetto Dunes which man appears to have more artistic flair?

TE
You seem to be obsessed with the Arts and Crafts movement....don't let it get under your skin.