Why does the course configuration change for tournaments?

[Tommy Williamsen]

It made some sense at the Hoylake Open.  And I can understand that they don't want Congressional to end on a par threeI haven't seen the routing at Sherwood this year but I know in previous years it has been changed.  I have played Sherwood and the change didn't make any sense to me.  There must be some reason but I can't figure it out.

[Brian Laurent]

I have not been to Sherwood, so I can't explain that one...however, some routings need tweaked for grandstands and other hospitality areas.  For example, at Saucon for their USGA championships, they changed the order in which the back nine played, #12 became #18 for tournament play so they could fit a grandstand behind the green.  

[Tommy Williamsen]

That makes sense.  I knew there were reasons.  

[Jeff_Brauer]

At Opryland, the took out a crossover walk to a tee to get crowds around the resort course better.  It causes back to back par 3's as a result.

Of course, I have taken to routing courses with the front and back nines reversed, simply because any pro will reverse them for me to have some input in the design, tournament or not.  As we all know, people love to fiddle with golf courses.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Good point Jeff.  I have been to a number of Courses where they have reversed nines.  I never understood it because it seemed fine the other way.

[JohnV]

So many reasons I'm sure I'll miss some.

1) TV might like a certain 9 better because of sunlight at the end of the day.
2) They might think that a different routing would lead to a more exciting finish.
3) Pace of play issues.  For example, Ghost Creek at Pumpkin Ridge plays 15-30 minutes faster if play is started on #10.
4) Crowd control.  One 9 or one or two holes might be able to handle the bigger crowds that will naturally gather at the end of the tournament.  Both for grandstands and walking issues.
5) One 9 might work better in the morning.  For example we had a course on the Futures where the grounds crew couldn't mow the first few holes of one side early because the neighbors complained about the noise.
6) If one side is much hillier, they would want it early in the round for the crowds and possibly the players.

[Kalen Braley]

I've done this sort of thing even at my local muni.  The back 9 has several holes in a canyon, while the front 9 is on an exposed plateau of sorts, so I'll ask to tee off the back first and play the front 9 last.