We see many splendid photos of holes. Most are taken from the players view, ie front on. I however, like to look at greensites from the sides and from the rear as well.
I recently played the wonderful Beau Desert, laid out in 1912, which has a terrific set of Herbert Fowler greens. As a short case study I took some photos from the sides and from the rear of a few of the greens and thought I'd share them with you.
I'd be interested to see photos of other greens photo'd particularly from the sides or rear. To me there is a very different perspective in seeing a green from the sides or from the rear and I'd been be particularly interested to know what emphasis architects place on this element from the design, construction and playability perspectives.
As an opener, here is a view you will probably have seen several times before, taken from the rear of the terrific par-4 5th hole with it's interesting raised middle section.
Appreciably downhill par-4 6th green, first from the front, and then in the further photos from the lower left side.
One aspect of this hole that intrigues me is the trench to the right of the green in the first photo,
photo repeated again below. Presumably a trench such as this is not only a golfing hazard but also ensures that any heavy run-off or storm rain water running down from the hill above the green does not end up on the putting surface. I believe there is a similar trench at the rear of the 13th at ANGC. Seems like a good idea. Any thoughts or examples of other use?
Par-3 7th hole from the rear. The green crests about 1/3rd of the way onto the putting surface and then falls away to the rear with the grass bunker on the high side. As the further photos show this green tilts a great deal from high to low side.
Par-4 8th from the left side. Deep grass bunker and heather. Green slopes down appreciable from the centre to the front.
Drivaebale short par-4 9th from the left side - don't go long! Par-3 10th hole in the background.
Short Par-3 10th from the front tee. Green has step in the middle and the top tier slopes severely from back to front. The sting in the tail is over the back of the green though. Only very skilful or very jammy up-n-downs from over this rear of this green (2nd photo).
Longish par-4 11th. Wonderful green IMO - 3-putt heaven! I wonder if the green was originally 20 yds alonger?
Longish par-4 12th. The terrific double-dog-leg hole. Again photo from the rear.
Green of the downhill par-4 13th as viewed from the 8th fairway - again don't go long! The rough can be pretty viscious at BD.
Uphill par-4 14th hole. The green is nearly 50 yds long and has a distinct hump or small burried elephant near the front. Not only is there a trench at the back but theres' also heather clumps on the rear bank too.
Long par-5 15th from the left side. This long green, which is slightly waisted in the centre, slopes severely from front down to the rear and is a right devil to putt on.
Par-3 16th from the rear. Lots of contour within the green, which is waisted in the centre, where there is also a step/change of level.
Par-5 18th from the right rear. This time the bank is at the front of the green. The green slopes very severely downwards from rear to front.
As mentioned above, my intention is not to highlight lovely Beau Desert, that's been done very nicely a few times herein already, but to try to examine green sites from the side and rear perspectives. In this case they happen to be Herbert Fowlers greens at Beau Desert.
Thoughts and other examples?
atb