conscious process.
To some golfers it is, to others it isn't.
Architecture comes into focus differently for the wide spectrum of golfers.
Golf has a simple task.
The golfer must get his ball from point A to Point B on a field specifically prepared for play, in as few strokes as possible.
If we start with a playing field that's 3, 4, 5 or 6 football fields, end to end, the task becomes redundant, uninteresting with little challenge and no joy, especially with repeat play
It's only with the introduction of the architectural features that challenge and interest are created, especially with repeat play.
Some golfers understand the features as they relate to their game and the tactical plan they must forge to complete the task, some don't.
Some understand the task, but ignore or can't recognize the tactical signals sent by the features.
Some see the features and signals consciously, others, like TEPaul, see them unconsciously or subconsciously, but, every golfer detects the features. Yet, they don't necessarily understand the signal sent by the features in a conscious sense.
The notion that "golfers" don't care about the architecture isn't true.
They do care, some just can't decode and verbalize the conscious and/or subconscious impact of the tactical signals, sent by the features, and the resultant impact on their brain and their play.
Golfers understand uphill shots, downhill shots, sidehill lies, water hazards, OB, bunkers, doglegs, mounds and other features. They understand them in the moment, when they're confronted by them. They may not understand the interrelationship of all of the features on a given hole, but, they certainly recognize the component pieces that make up a particular hole.
Why do golfers like one course and detest another ?
Something about each course must have registered differently with them.
Why do Bethpage, Kohler, Bandon, Wild Horse and others, attract golfers from near and far if the TASK is the same and the architecture DOESN'T matter ?
The task remains the same no matter which course we play.
(Remember, point A to point B)
It's the architecture that creates the variety, interest, challenge and the joy/despair that forms the overall golfing experience
While the golfer might not be able to verbalize his preferences, there can be but one factor that differentiates his likes and dislikes, the architecture.
The architecture becomes the "chemistry" between the golf course and the golfer.
The architecture, or the introduction and use of features is what the archtitect uses to thwart the golfer from the pursuit of the universal task
of getting the ball from point A to point B in as few strokes as possible.
Like obscenity, the golfer may not be able to define architecture, but he knows it when he sees it.
If any of you don't understand this post, please call TEPaul, collect, at Happydale Farms 1-IDO-NTG-ETIT
