Is this architectural knowledge?

[Brian_Gracely]

I love how many on here like to throw around the phrase, "for the unwashed masses".  But are you really unwashed if....

You play at a local course.  For the most part, it's really the only course you know really well.  You've played it in every imaginable weather condition, and in every season.  You know where to hit the ball, and where not to hit the ball.  You have no idea who designed the course, but you don't care because the course hasn't changed in XX years (still has all the same routing, bunkers, tees, etc. as the original pictures in the clubhouse).  

This is a course that gives you a great deal of pleasure and it's where all your friends play.  For that reason, you have no good reason to seek out other courses in the area.  

Is this the "unwashed masses"?  

[Sean_A]

Sandbox

You have described at least half the members at my club.  These guys are interested having a quiet game with their mates at a club that is affordable, offers some challenge and offers some birdie opportunities.  They sound quite clean to me!

Ciao

Sean

[Scott Witter]

Who cares if it is the "unwashed masses" they still love the game for what it is.  You can consider me one of them if need be and if there must be a label.  I don't care what level of course it might be, a so called "upscale and over manicured" layout, a new minimalist beach club, or a municipal goat pasture, you still have to go from tee to green and negotiate the trouble in between and roll one or two putts.

Too many of us get hung up on the "ultimate experience" and we have forgotten about the pure spirit of the game.  Yes, there is probably the majority of us who would rather, with enough money, play the beautiful, or the perfectly strategic and engaging architectural wonder on earth, but we all started somewhere, as a child, without knowing better, with no bias, or preconceived notion of what a course was or is supposed to look or play like.

I think Sean has a good perspective and like the Aussies, we should look at their example of playing and enjoying the game for the honor of our club/course.  Play it as it lies, for better or for worse....it is just a game, and if you are in a match, are we all not playing the same ground, no matter what condition it may be in?

[Pete Buczkowski]

Brian - I think you just gave me the title of my MHC piece.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Brian aka sandbox, Unwashed masses should be droped from the depression times vocabulary it grew out of. You describe the vast majority of golfers in America and I am thankful we have so many people who enjoy the game with their friends at whatever course happens to work for them.

[RJ_Daley]

This is a course that gives you a great deal of pleasure and it's where all your friends play.  For that reason, you have no good reason to seek out other courses in the area.

I think most avid local golfers have played most or all of the other local courses, but have found their favorite in terms of playing quality and more importantly, a group that they most prefer playing with in membership or regulars, etc.  So, they go to enjoy themselves, not judge all the design nuances of the course, endlessly.  They made a quality judgement once, and that is that.  

But, for those same every day regulars that play 95% of their rounds at their "home" course, I think there is an added excitement when they play another very good course.  Unlike the wandering golfer who never finds a home, and falls into the mode of seeking all new experiences to better the last; that golfer may get bored more easily and miss the essence of the game in the bond with his home course and home buddies and home competitions.

In my own case, I play and greatly enjoy a home course and list of regulars who have very little idea of golf course design or even maintenance meld concepts.  But, they love to play, and keep it real in friendly games of skins, nassaus, etc.  So, I don't get to have the kind of design and comparative discussions with them.  I come here for that.