Golf Club Atlas

GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Ian_L on August 18, 2017, 12:58:39 AM

Title: Is Variety in "Obviousness" of Strategy Important?
Post by: Ian_L on August 18, 2017, 12:58:39 AM

Should golf course architects try to introduce variety into how clear the strategic options they present are? Should a golf course have:


- One or two holes where it's almost impossible NOT to understand the options presented (a double fairway or heroic second shot over a lake as extreme examples)


- A few holes where the strategy is clear if you look for it


- A few holes where even the most perceptive player will have to play the hole multiple times before understanding the tradeoffs in various approaches to play


Might hitting the less versed player over the head with obvious strategic choices make him more interested in golf course design, while more subtle nuances would simply keep going over his head? Or should the architect simply let that player look at the pretty views and focus on providing strategic interest for those already predisposed to it?

Title: Re: Is Variety in "Obviousness" of Strategy Important?
Post by: Jay Mickle on August 18, 2017, 09:08:56 AM

Think Tobacco Road.

Title: Re: Is Variety in "Obviousness" of Strategy Important?
Post by: Mark_Fine on August 18, 2017, 09:12:02 AM

Ian,
Variety is very important but sometimes less is more and when architects try to over complicate things and over design, things go sideways. 
Mark