Does scale, large scale, lull the golfer

[Patrick_Mucci]

into thinking that the pending shot is easier when the target is a large green  ?

[Mark_Fine]

Of course it does.  That is why on older courses, restoring (or call it what ever the hell you want  ) greens back to their original sizes and shapes not only makes the golf course easier for the higher handicapper, but often harder and more interesting for the better golfer.  The reason is that many of the most interesting hole locations are located along the edges (closer the the green side hazards).  When greens shrink the better golfer just aims for the middle as there is no real advantage to play to the edges.  The green side hazards become disconnected and are all but out of play except for the higher handicapper.  With the larger green, the higher handicapper is thrilled because they have a better chance to hit the green.  And if they miss the green, the hazards are now more connected and they can even chunk it back on from a bunker vs having to play a long bunker shot which is one of the hardest shots in the game.  The better golfer playing to a larger green with hole locations on the edges closer to the hazards will end up short siding themselves more often because they are no longer just playing to the middle.  That temptation is restored and more fun and interest is returned to the golf hole for most everyone! 

[Joe Hancock]

Pat,

Three of us, all fairly accomplished golfers, played Tamarack CC in October, albeit in a light snow/ sunshine mixed up weather day. The greens are huge, and, on the first tee looking over to #3, I mused, "how could anyone miss THAT green?" At the end of the day, one ball found the green in regulation out of all the par 3's.....1 for 12.

I think you're right.

[Thomas Dai]

Ah, complacency!


Would the 9th at TOC might be a good example, not just the green but the complete hole? Seems such an easy hole but it's surprising the number of times folks, even those playing in The Open or Dunhill Links make a right mess of it.


Atb

[Sean_A]

into thinking that the pending shot is easier when the target is a large green  ?

I actually find it harder to play to a large green because the target is far less defined.  Same for a green which has the fairway flowing into it. Its even worse if the green slopes a lot from back to front.  These are two great examples of why range finders shouldn't be allowed. Deception is taken out of the hands of archies. 


Ciao

[Patrick_Mucci]

Sean,
 
I agree.
 
An enormous amount of the game is removed by allowing devices that dial in the exact yardages.
 
Visual deception is lost due to technology.
 
Still, as much as what the indicator states, sometimes the visual is hard to overcome.
 
 

[jeffwarne]

Sean,
 
I agree.
 
An enormous amount of the game is removed by allowing devices that dial in the exact yardages.
 
Visual deception is lost due to technology.
 

I agree.
The bigger advantage, especially when playing an unfamiliar course is the telescoping effect when looking thru the rangefinder, allowing you to better see the green, flag, slope and terrain.
I never used to use one when competing until I figured that out.
I still refer to fixed points to the center of the green when available though, and I rarely use the device off the tee as I'm terrible at shooting yardages to things other than flags.