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Ronald Montesano

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #25 on: November 22, 2009, 01:23:34 PM »
Mic Whitt,

What type of golfers are the "haters"?  Handicap?  Ball Flight?  Courage?  I bet that there is a commonality.
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Michael Whitaker

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #26 on: November 22, 2009, 01:24:41 PM »
Quote from: Joe Bausch on November 22, 2009, 10:39:02 AM
I think Strantz's True Blue in Myrtle Beach is polarizing.

Joe - I can't imagine what is polarizing about True Blue. Maybe when the course first opened, but after it was softened for the general public it has become quite a joy to play. I have not heard complaints about True Blue in years... just the opposite... it mostly receives adoring praise.
 
« Last Edit: November 22, 2009, 01:35:43 PM by Michael Whitaker »
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Michael Whitaker

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #27 on: November 22, 2009, 01:28:02 PM »
Quote from: Ronald Montesano on November 22, 2009, 01:23:34 PM
Mic Whitt,

What type of golfers are the "haters"?  Handicap?  Ball Flight?  Courage?  I bet that there is a commonality.

No commonality at all. Some are 15+ handicappers, a couple are 2-3 handicappers. It seems what they have in common is a distaste for blind shots and severely contoured greens. They are from the school that believes courses should be "fair."
 
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"Solving the paradox of proportionality is the heart of golf architecture."  - Tom Doak (11/20/05)

Michael Whitaker

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #28 on: November 22, 2009, 01:33:59 PM »
Quote from: Michael_Hendren on November 22, 2009, 01:03:35 PM
While I "like" Tobacco Road, I was astonished by now much less I "liked" it the second play.

Mike, this is a very interesting comment because nearly everyone I have played Tobacco Road with has enjoyed the course much more on the second and subsequent plays... mainly because they had an idea of where they were going, which added strategic decision making to their play.
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"Solving the paradox of proportionality is the heart of golf architecture."  - Tom Doak (11/20/05)

Matt_Ward

Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #29 on: November 22, 2009, 01:37:06 PM »
Polarizing means a clear split between those who love / hate a respective course.

No doubt the inclusion of Old Head sounds about right -- I can even say the same thing for Wolf Creek although I like it for what it offers in being so different than the classic design types fawned over on this site generally.

To a lesser degree there are people who don't like courses that really can kick your butt -- WF/W comes to mind. People will opt for WF/W lite with the likes of Fenway and possibly even QR. Not much love for the brute in Mamaroneck although I think it's first rate in so many ways.
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Michael Whitaker

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #30 on: November 22, 2009, 01:42:31 PM »
The course in South Carolina that has the greatest polarizing effect is The Ocean Course at Kiawah Golf Resort.
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"Solving the paradox of proportionality is the heart of golf architecture."  - Tom Doak (11/20/05)

Mac Plumart

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #31 on: November 22, 2009, 01:44:52 PM »
PGA West??

PGA tour players boycotted it,  but it stills seems to be a draw to the tourist/amateur golfers.
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Jaeger Kovich

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #32 on: November 22, 2009, 02:03:06 PM »
Michael - I agree with comment on The Ocean Course... played it on the same trip as TR, about a week ago... It might be on the top of my list for most polarizing.

I would also include Kingsbarns and The Castle Course in my top 3... from what I understand, although I have yet to see it, Fishers Island, may be on this list as well.
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John Kirk

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #33 on: November 22, 2009, 02:32:34 PM »
In my universe, Stone Eagle is quite polarizing.

In the universe, I'll nominate The Old Course at St. Andrews.  Some people think it's the greatest course in the world.  Others think it's quite pedestrian and overrated.
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Sean Leary

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #34 on: November 22, 2009, 02:37:29 PM »
The Prince Course on Kauai. Get ranked very high in many lists. I didn't like it..
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Ryan Admussen

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #35 on: November 22, 2009, 02:41:12 PM »
I'll throw Glen Abbey out there, I've heard/read many differing opinions from pros and amateurs alike
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Mark_F

Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #36 on: November 22, 2009, 03:01:13 PM »
St Andrews Beach Gunnamatta Course has to win the prize here.
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Jud_T

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #37 on: November 22, 2009, 03:03:23 PM »
John-re TOC, do you know anyone who has played it more than twice who feels it's weak?
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Dan Herrmann

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #38 on: November 22, 2009, 03:26:52 PM »
Ryan,
You're right about Glen Abbey.  The whole experience was polarizing to me.  Some very fine holes and some horrible ones - some are actually consecutive to each other.

Sticking to Canada - McBroom's Bell Bay (Nova Scotia) gets a lot of good press, but when I played it I was completely underwhelmed.
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John Kirk

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #39 on: November 22, 2009, 04:48:22 PM »
Hi Jud,

Not off the top of my head, but I think it's easy to see why it would not be worthy of immediate praise and appreciation.
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Mike Hendren

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #40 on: November 22, 2009, 04:54:46 PM »
Quote from: Michael Whitaker on November 22, 2009, 01:33:59 PM
Quote from: Michael_Hendren on November 22, 2009, 01:03:35 PM
While I "like" Tobacco Road, I was astonished by now much less I "liked" it the second play.

Mike, this is a very interesting comment because nearly everyone I have played Tobacco Road with has enjoyed the course much more on the second and subsequent plays... mainly because they had an idea of where they were going, which added strategic decision making to their play.

Michael, the whimsy wasn't so novel the second go 'round.  Not unlike a good but not great joke that's just not funny the second time you hear it.  While Tobacco Road is whimsical, novel and fun, I didn't find it all that mysterious from either the tee or the fairway.

Mike
« Last Edit: November 22, 2009, 04:56:23 PM by Michael_Hendren »
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Sean_A

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #41 on: November 22, 2009, 05:30:30 PM »
I am really struggling to find a course I hate.  For me it is usually more a case of a course not living up to expectations or reputation.  I know many say they hate courses, but I take these statements as a gross exaggeration or incorrect verb usage - just as people are mistakenly wont to say they love a car or whatever.   With this in mind I have heard plenty of people wonder what all the fuss about Hoylake, Carnoustie and Troon is about.  Same goes for Tobacco Road and Mid-Pines. 

Ciao
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Tony_Muldoon

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #42 on: November 22, 2009, 06:00:55 PM »
I've met a number of people in Ireland who who put The European Club in this category.  Comments like, "Didn't have enough balls to finish the round", "Where's the fun?"  For these people it was a once only play, and they advised me to go to X,Y or Z instead.
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Scott Warren

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #43 on: November 22, 2009, 06:04:23 PM »
Great call, Tony. I'd even say TEC polarised me within the round!
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DMoriarty

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #44 on: November 22, 2009, 06:17:01 PM »
Black Rock seems to generate some pretty polar opposite views.   Golf Digest has pronounced the 28th best course in the United States, so that magazine's raters must think quite highly of it.   If I had free access and time, I would be surprised if I could not find 5 times that many courses I would think better.   I don't think I am not alone in assessment. 

While the critics around here try to keep it to themselves, Rustic Canyon seems to be pretty polarizing.   Some see a field and some bunkers in need of repair.   Some see an excellent golf course.
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John Kirk.   I am surprised that you see Stone Eagle as polarizing.   I can see that some might not like it if they have strong opinions on the severity of the site, but I find it hard to believe that most of those who play it don't find the golf shots to be quite fun. 
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David Schofield

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #45 on: November 22, 2009, 06:20:13 PM »
Polarizing?  Merion, although for different reasons than the OP based this thread's premise upon...
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Anthony Gray

Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #46 on: November 22, 2009, 06:50:26 PM »

  I just do not like Tobacco Road. Just not for me. The lines off the tee is why. I can understand why some like it.

  Anthony

« Last Edit: November 22, 2009, 06:53:20 PM by Anthony Gray »
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Pete_Pittock

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #47 on: November 22, 2009, 06:53:43 PM »
In Oregon Sandpines, Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails.
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Tim Gavrich

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #48 on: November 22, 2009, 08:11:01 PM »
I rather like Sugarloaf up in Maine but suspect many people find it too hard or unfair.

It sounds like Liberty National was about as polarizing a course as the PGA Tour has seen in a while.
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Tim Bert

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Re: What course is the most Polarizing?
« Reply #49 on: November 22, 2009, 08:14:53 PM »
Arcadia Bluffs - I have not played it but it seems to generate strong opinions one way or another.

For me personally, the River course at Blackwolf Run.  While hate is too strong a word, it is probably my least favorite "top caliber" course I've ever played.  I see it so high on many lists, both magazine ratings as well as personal rankings, and I just scratch my head.
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