[PCCraig]

The putting green at my home club was built on top of an old asphalt parking lot 50+ years ago and needs, in the somewhat near future, to be rebuilt for better drainage, etc.

I came across an old picture of a "Ladies Putting Course" taken in 1899 at my home course in it's earlier years.

The current putting green area isn't small, but it isn't huge either...I would say it is roughly 8,000-9,000 square feet.

My question is, has the popularity of installing putting courses (like those at Bandon, Pinehurst, St. Andrews, etc.) reached the local club level yet?

Would you find it to be a fun idea to build a putting course at your home course? Or a dumb one?

Does a putting course "work" if it's only 6 holes, or 9 holes? Does the green have to be very undulating to make the concept "work?"

Here is a picture of the current putting green to give you an idea of the space available to work with:

[Thomas Dai]

Location, location, location I suggest.


At a private club if it were located close and visible from the patio or through some windows then probably yes. If out of sight or where folk have to walk even a little way to get to it then it probably won't get used much. Shame really, great feature to have.


I have often wondered about combining a putting green with a bowling green. I recall the putting green at Royal Lytham being pretty similar to a bowling green but that was decades ago so I could be wrong.


Atb

[David McIntosh]

Thomas,

I was at Lytham last month and the practice putting green is still the same as you remember.

David

[BHoover]

I think it ultimately depends on the particular club and the membership. If the club is primarily focused on golf, then I think it's a great idea.

[Greg Chambers]

The idea of a practice green is that it should closely mimic the days playing conditions on the course (or so they say).  Also, apparently, people like to just practice their putting.  If a putting course can satisfy these needs, then I think it can work.  But if it sacrifices these needs, then you're going to have some pissed off members on your hands.

[D_Malley]

I think the concept makes more sense at a public/muni golf club.

[Terry Lavin]

We just tore down our pool at Beverly and this concept was recommended by Ron Prichard our consulting architect. In doing some research it appears we had an 18 hole Ladies Putting Course a hundred years ago. Not sure if it will fly but I love the concept.

[PCCraig]

I think the concept makes more sense at a public/muni golf club.

Why is that?

[PCCraig]

The idea of a practice green is that it should closely mimic the days playing conditions on the course (or so they say).  Also, apparently, people like to just practice their putting.  If a putting course can satisfy these needs, then I think it can work.  But if it sacrifices these needs, then you're going to have some pissed off members on your hands.

At my home course, we have a proposed master plan which would add a practice putting green next to the first tee (connected to it, actually). Our current putting green is across a street and next to our clubhouse and a slightly elevated patio with tables/chairs where people eat and drink during the warmer months.


Can you have a putting course set up on a green with more subtle undulations? Or is that a more boring version of the more popular Punchbowl esque putting courses?

[Josh Tarble]

We just tore down our pool at Beverly and this concept was recommended by Ron Prichard our consulting architect. In doing some research it appears we had an 18 hole Ladies Putting Course a hundred years ago. Not sure if it will fly but I love the concept.

Oh wow...that would be awesome! Like anyone needed any more incentive to hang out/drink/gamble at the Bev!

[JJShanley]

I'd settle for a pop-up bar that stays open past 5pm at my home course.  Could run out of the starter's hut.

[John Cowden]

The Commons (by Doak) has been open at Ballyneal for a couple months.   It's great fun, true to the greens on the course, enjoys lighted pins in the evening, and is just a few steps from the bar.  Perfect! 

[V_Halyard]

Our 9th and 18th Greens sits adjacent our lounge and patio and frequently host chip offs and putt offs. Sometimes these are associated with an end of round scenario and other times associated with a stein of lager or craft brew.  There is a putting green adjacent our parking lot away from the building  but there always seem to be players there with a flat stick including days when the course or clubhouse are closed. There are also lunchtime chipping and putting regulars that visit prior to returning to a work after lunch meetings.

In our case, the concept would be quite viable and we have discussed with Ron Prichard.  It would deliver pre-round activity and post-round enjoyment. A near lounge/patio adjacent location would be optimal but not essential. More important would be the delivery of top conditioning and quality course condition mirroring slope.

[mike_malone]

Thankfully we have Flynn's unique creativity that doesn't force a template on the land.

[Jason Topp]

Pat - I think your putting green is unique in a very good way.  As a guest it is nice to show up at the shop, order a drink and hit a few putts while waiting for the group to arrive.  It is a great social spot in the evening.  I am not sure that eliminating the thing would be a good development. 

I have never really understood the attractiveness of a putting course and most of them I have encountered in the US remain idle.  A putting green presents an infinite variety of putting courses - sort of the sheep's ranch of putting.

[Kye Goalby]

You guys do realize the examples described are built on on native sandy soils right?  The expense of constructing something of a similar scale to the Punchbowl or Himalayas in a location without  such soils might give pause to many.

[Tom_Doak]

You guys do realize the examples described are built on on native sandy soils right?  The expense of constructing something of a similar scale to the Punchbowl or Himalayas in a location without  such soils might give pause to many.

Yes to that.


Big putting greens are expensive to maintain, too.  I'd guess you would be spending an extra $50k or $100k per year for something the size of the Punchbowl, and you can't really charge anything for it.  So it makes zero sense to build such a facility unless you anticipate it getting a lot of traffic.  High Pointe's big putting green was quickly abandoned for a combination of those reasons.


Such a facility only makes sense for a place with multiple courses and enough golfer traffic to make it worth the expense.

[Jay Mickle]

Such a facility only makes sense for a place with multiple courses and enough golfer traffic to make it worth the expense.

Gil Hanse is doing a relocation and expansion of Thistle Due at Pinehurst. Moving it closer to the bar I expect.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,63810.0.html

[Josh Tarble]

I think it was mentioned on here before...but I truly believe a putting version of TopGolf would be a massive success.  Think putt-putt crossed with a bar.  The great thing about the Punchbowl and Himalayas though, is that they are incredibly social.  There aren't fake walls or fountains in between groups.  Pump in music, add waiters and booze...I think there is a market for that, whether it's at a club or standalone.

[Michael Graham]

I think it was mentioned on here before...but I truly believe a putting version of TopGolf would be a massive success.  Think putt-putt crossed with a bar.  The great thing about the Punchbowl and Himalayas though, is that they are incredibly social.  There aren't fake walls or fountains in between groups.  Pump in music, add waiters and booze...I think there is a market for that, whether it's at a club or standalone.

Josh,


It's indoors so not exactly like The Punchbowl or The Himalayas but it's TopGolf meets crazy golf.


For anyone in or visiting London.


http://swingersldn.com/the-venue-new/

[Josh Tarble]

Michael,
That's pretty much exactly what I'm talking about!  Everyone loves having "something" to do when drinking.  Just make golf that "something"

[Kyle Harris]

You guys do realize the examples described are built on on native sandy soils right?  The expense of constructing something of a similar scale to the Punchbowl or Himalayas in a location without  such soils might give pause to many.

Yes to that.


Big putting greens are expensive to maintain, too.  I'd guess you would be spending an extra $50k or $100k per year for something the size of the Punchbowl, and you can't really charge anything for it.  So it makes zero sense to build such a facility unless you anticipate it getting a lot of traffic.  High Pointe's big putting green was quickly abandoned for a combination of those reasons.


Such a facility only makes sense for a place with multiple courses and enough golfer traffic to make it worth the expense.

Perhaps those costs are that high if you're expecting the same maintenance standard as the rest of the golf course's putting greens.

One advantage of having a dedicated putting course could be to design something bat-guano-crazy and keep the speeds/inputs to a minimum. Nice to place to try new agronomic practices, as well.

[BCowan]

The coolest putting green i saw was Mt Prospect's in the Chicago area.  Raynor has to be grinning from above.  It is unique i think, it isn't this constant need to follow trendy shit. 

[Buck Wolter]

Michael,
That's pretty much exactly what I'm talking about!  Everyone loves having "something" to do when drinking.  Just make golf that "something"

Truer words were never spoken

[Michael Graham]

Michael,
That's pretty much exactly what I'm talking about!  Everyone loves having "something" to do when drinking.  Just make golf that "something"

Josh,


Absolutely. Certainly in London over the past couple of years there's been a big increase in pubs/bars that combine bowling, skittles, table tennis etc. with alcohol. It's good to see some variation of golf get in on the action.


A future BUDA venue?

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