What can we expect from a Tiger design?

[Shane Gurnett]

Its only a matter of time, isn't it, before the great man lends his name to one? His views on design are not well publicised but I get the feeling that he has a good feel for history, and the great courses as well (major wins at Pebble, Old Course should help).

Any thoughts?

[Chris Kane]

Shane, interesting question!

From what I've heard, he has a good feel for history, has played most of the top courses, and enjoys them, but some interesting comments have come out of his mouth in the past.  Here's one ->

Talking of Southern Hills: "its what I love about the classic courses, everything is laid out in front of you, there are no hidden surprises"

Wouldn't be at all surprised if it was monster-length with 250 bunkers just to get more attention.

The guy doesn't seem to be very adventurous with his play...just witness his strategy on risk-reward holes in majors, even when he's leading by a street.  It would be a shame if this approach carried over into his designs.

I could see him as a another Nicklaus: loved by the general golfing community but with little respect from the so-called elite like this site!

[Craig_Rokke]

I think what we could expect depends a lot on:

who's designing the course with/for him
who the target market is (ie.  resort golfers in a touristy area)who's puttin' up the money

Do you guys think that there's any chance that the course would be less than 7500 yards? I certainly htink the course would have to be big in scale. Would Earl Woods be a controlling factor?   Would it perhaps feature reproductions of some holes where he's had his biggest triumphs?

[A_Clay_Man]

I personally hope he doesn't follow in the steps of some of his predecessors. I think any economic driven decision has been taken out of the question. So, if he does attempt one I hope thats all he attempts for awhile. This implies that he will build a special place not one thats phoned in.
I personally think Mr. Woods has the potential to be much more than a developer or archie. His impact on the world should reach beyond the mere microcosim of golf. But I may be letting my lack of racial predjudices shine thru. I wonder what JakaB thinks?

[Robert_Walker]

This question is like wondering what kind of symphony hall Mozart would have designed.
Until further notice, Tiger Woods, Grand Slam Winner is a golfer not an architect.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Shane,

Time alone will tell.

Do you think the same question was asked about Nicklaus and  Palmer 40 years ago ?

How do you think their designs turned out ?

Is being a GREAT player an iimpediment or an asset when trying to become a good golf course architect ?  
Or, does it mean absolutely nothing ?

Being an artist/architect and being an athlete are not related, they are seperate talents.

But, that's just my opinion.

[BillV]

Pot bunkers, perhaps?

[Craig_Rokke]

If the pot bunkers are in play!

[Paul Richards]

Like another long hitter, let's hope he does a better job
than John Daly as an architect!!

[Jim_Kennedy]

Chris,
Tiger's play at TOC showed a tremendous amount of respect for the playing ground. I don't feel he could have maneuvered his way around as efficiently as he did without studying and understanding the risk or reward of all the available routes that each individual hole offered.
He is a creative shotmaker, therefore I don't feel he would be one or two dimensional as perhaps some other players-cum-architects work has been judged to be.

Patrick,
If pros and architects enjoyed the same relationship 40 years ago as they do today, then we would have been asking the question about AP & JN.
I think their courses reflect their respective games and personae.

 
 

    

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Tiger Woods, winner of 4 Majors in a row in succesive year's,:) would be such a heavily marketed "Product" that whatever course he leant his name to would more then likely get only one grand opening visit--He would be that busy.

In all likelyhood he would be design firm would be IMG. That is a guess, but a logical one. I'm sure it is all being planned out or the future, as I write this.

[Tim_Weiman]

Tommy:

I have no idea about Tiger's interest in golf architecture or how much IMG might want to push such an opportunity.
But, I've never heard any of the IMG boys talk about Tiger building golf courses.  

What I have heard them talk about is how focused Tiger is on what he wants to accomplish, specifically, braking the records of that guy who became the best golfer from Ohio.

[RJ_Daley]

There is no way that man has the time to do anything in the realm of actual golf course design.  So, it would either be a BS job with his signature for a million bucks and him making limitted appearances, or nothing at all.  The time it would actually take for him to involve himself in a respectable effort would cost him, even if they gave him a million for a couple of weeks worth of actual on-site collaboration with a real architect.  His time is more valuable than that.  Only if some unfortuante physical injury or accident befalls him and prevents him from playing, might we see him actually spending time at something like this, IMHO.

[Tim_Weiman]

Dick Daley:

There is no way IMG would bother Tiger for $1 million that required a couple weeks work.

Just in case you think that is an outrageous statement, keep in mind that General Motors offered considerably more for one days work, that is playing at a golf outing for GM's big customers.

[Jeff McDowell]

I read a Tiger interview a year or two ago, and he said he was interested in designing golf courses. However, before jumping into design he wanted to get a better handle on some of the functional aspects of design such as drainage. Take that for what it's worth.

IMHO, it's only a matter of time.

The one thing I feel is different between Tiger and many other touring pro designers is that Tiger has clear tournament goals, which are his primary focus. I feel the other pros just want to make as much money as possible with as little effort as possible.