Genetically combine 2 courses to make a better course

[Jason Thurman]

Imagine if you could blend Erin Hills and Cape Arundel to produce a delightfully quirky, championship-caliber but sporting test of golf. Hopefully get Cape Arundel's glorious tidal river setting, but a little more of Erin Hills' topography. Find a Mama Bear sort of Just Right scale. Could you even handle the righteousness of the funk?


What other courses do you wish you could mix up genetically?

[Ira Fishman]

The dunes at Ballybunion Old and the greens at Woking.


The setting at Crail Balcomie and the routing at Pasatiempo.


The holes along the cliffs at Bandon Dunes with those at Pacific Dunes.


The scale at Yale with the intimacy of Mid Pines.


Ira

[Jeff_Brauer]

Presumably the tournament rotation at Royal Melbourne?

[Tom_Doak]

The project I’ve just finished at St Patrick’s was originally 36 holes years ago, and I’ve taken all the best bits of land to route one 18-hole course.  But it’s got my DNA on it now.

[Sean_A]

I don't need to dream about two two different properties. Combine the 18s at Enville to make a great 18.

Ciao

[John Mayhugh]

Presumably the tournament rotation at Royal Melbourne?

I'm guessing you've never played Royal Melbourne East?

[Tim Martin]

The scale at Yale with the intimacy of Mid Pines.

Ira

Despite the scale of Yale there is an intimacy that begins on the 6th and continues to the finish as a result of the holes being so secluded from one another. I think Pine Valley is another example of epic scale that seems intimate for the same reason.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Years ago the upper and lower courses at a Baltusrol were combined. Not sure if it still works with redesign of the the lower.

[Ira Fishman]

The scale at Yale with the intimacy of Mid Pines.

Ira

Despite the scale of Yale there is an intimacy that begins on the 6th and continues to the finish as a result of the holes being so secluded from one another. I think Pine Valley is another example of epic scale that seems intimate for the same reason.

Tim,


That is a good point. And it has been way too many years since I played Yale, a problem that I hope remedy as soon as non-Connecticut residents are allowed back.


Ira

[Tom_Doak]

Despite the scale of Yale there is an intimacy that begins on the 6th and continues to the finish as a result of the holes being so secluded from one another. I think Pine Valley is another example of epic scale that seems intimate for the same reason.

I’ve always talked about intimacy in golf course design as just the opposite of your example; for me it’s about having the holes interact with one another, not being by themselves.  But it’s a topic not often discussed, so I have no idea which of us holds the majority view.

[Jay Mickle]

It seems to me that intimacy requires contact in both golf courses and romantic relationships. And occasionally romantic relationships with golf courses.

[Philippe Binette]

I've never been there... but according to what People say


Take the first 17 holes at cypress point and change the 18th for the 18th at Pebble Beach (or pretty much any decent 18th hole).. and there you go !!!

[Sean_A]

Despite the scale of Yale there is an intimacy that begins on the 6th and continues to the finish as a result of the holes being so secluded from one another. I think Pine Valley is another example of epic scale that seems intimate for the same reason.

I’ve always talked about intimacy in golf course design as just the opposite of your example; for me it’s about having the holes interact with one another, not being by themselves.  But it’s a topic not often discussed, so I have no idea which of us holds the majority view.

Tom, that's how I think of intimacy. The design (likely through necessity) brings golfers together, uses the property to showcase itself, the house is well incorporated into the course, few extraneous walks.

Ciao

[Thomas Dai]

I’ve always talked about intimacy in golf course design as just the opposite of your example; for me it’s about having the holes interact with one another, not being by themselves.  But it’s a topic not often discussed, so I have no idea which of us holds the majority view.

Tom, that's how I think of intimacy. The design (likely through necessity) brings golfers together, uses the property to showcase itself, the house is well incorporated into the course, few extraneous walks.
Ciao

I go along with this.
Recently played a course where in the main there were trees and brush and scrub down to ground level between each hole. Felt very confined. Hard to find balls too. On some holes however, the lower tree branches, brush and scrub had been cleared down to ground level and there were views through to other fairways and greens. Infinitely better plus the playability and agronomy aspects were enhanced too.
Atb

[Sean_A]

I’ve always talked about intimacy in golf course design as just the opposite of your example; for me it’s about having the holes interact with one another, not being by themselves.  But it’s a topic not often discussed, so I have no idea which of us holds the majority view.

Tom, that's how I think of intimacy. The design (likely through necessity) brings golfers together, uses the property to showcase itself, the house is well incorporated into the course, few extraneous walks.
Ciao

I go along with this.
Recently played a course where in the main there were trees and brush and scrub down to ground level between each hole. Felt very confined. Hard to find balls too. On some holes however, the lower tree branches, brush and scrub had been cleared down to ground level and there were views through to other fairways and greens. Infinitely better plus the playability and agronomy aspects were enhanced too.
Atb

Yes, it's difficult to create intimacy when golfers are frustrated 😎.

Ciao

[Mike_Trenham]

At Philadelphia Cricket - swap out the two par fives on Wissahickon for #3 and #6 of Milita Hill

[PCCraig]

WBYC and any golf course built on sand.

[Thomas Dai]

Any under the radar wee gem with the longterm budget/staffing level of a elite big name.
Any elite big name with the longterm budget/staffing level of an under the radar wee gem.
The outcome might be interesting, eye-opening maybe, especially for those who consider conditioning highly important. Mind wee gems wouldn’t really be wee gems anymore on such a basis and elite big names would likely be considered goat tracks and seldom be visited!
Atb