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GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: mike_malone on February 18, 2023, 03:08:51 PM

Title: Are the Riviera putting surfaces the equal of Augusta?
Post by: mike_malone on February 18, 2023, 03:08:51 PM
The complexity and the interest seems tip top.
Title: Re: Are the Riviera putting surfaces the equal of Augusta?
Post by: Tim_Weiman on February 18, 2023, 03:12:53 PM
The complexity and the interest seems tip top.
Mike,


It has been a long time since I played Riviera, but I don’t remember there being much interest on the greens. Seems like the interest was in the strategy of playing the holes rather than putting.
Title: Re: Are the Riviera putting surfaces the equal of Augusta?
Post by: mike_malone on February 18, 2023, 04:10:43 PM
The complexity and the interest seems tip top.
Mike,


It has been a long time since I played Riviera, but I don’t remember there being much interest on the greens. Seems like the interest was in the strategy of playing the holes rather than putting.


The pros seem baffled and cautious.
Title: Re: Are the Riviera putting surfaces the equal of Augusta?
Post by: Matt_Cohn on February 18, 2023, 06:22:22 PM
The complexity and the interest seems tip top.


The variety in size, shape, and design is the equal of anywhere. I think that's the most notable aspect of them.
Title: Re: Are the Riviera putting surfaces the equal of Augusta?
Post by: mike_malone on February 18, 2023, 06:51:28 PM
The complexity and the interest seems tip top.


The variety in size, shape, and design is the equal of anywhere. I think that's the most notable aspect of them.


I’m trying to think which one is easy.
Title: Re: Are the Riviera putting surfaces the equal of Augusta?
Post by: Ben Sims on February 18, 2023, 08:33:16 PM
Riviera is Ballyneal’s brother from another mother. That’s the best comparison I can make with Riviera and other great courses. The variety from hole to hole is quite distinct. Combined with the challenge around the greens, it makes for a very memorable golf course.


But as good as the greens are, there are at least two sets of greens in California that better Riv. And even those two, in my mind, don’t equal Augusta’s greens. 
Title: Re: Are the Riviera putting surfaces the equal of Augusta?
Post by: Tom_Doak on February 19, 2023, 01:18:31 PM

The pros seem baffled and cautious.


I used to be pretty good at reading greens, but down in the valley, those are really hard to read.  You have to keep in mind the general fall toward #6, but it's much harder when you're down in the valley . . . you just have to estimate what to add to the break.


I never thought about it before, but after #1 you play four holes down valley.  The back to front greens like 2 and 3 don't pitch back toward you as much as they appear, so you think there is less break in general.  And then #4 goes away down valley and breaks a ton, and you're confused.
Title: Re: Are the Riviera putting surfaces the equal of Augusta?
Post by: Kalen Braley on February 19, 2023, 03:12:19 PM
15 has always seemed to be a bit of mystery never having seen it in person.

And how does Tiger put into the bunker at 6? ;)
Title: Re: Are the Riviera putting surfaces the equal of Augusta?
Post by: Niall C on February 21, 2023, 07:46:54 AM

And how does Tiger put into the bunker at 6? ;)


Maybe he was putting from the wrong angle ?  ;D


Niall
Title: Re: Are the Riviera putting surfaces the equal of Augusta?
Post by: Alex Miller on February 21, 2023, 03:42:00 PM
15 has always seemed to be a bit of mystery never having seen it in person.

And how does Tiger put into the bunker at 6? ;)


Quite frankly one of the worst decisions I've seen from him. Would have thought he could have played it left and wrapped it around with the sideboard / backboard.




I think the speeds which these greens play to for the tournament (and frankly probably often at Riv and other Poa greens of SoCal in the winter when they're best) brings out the interest as well.