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Golf Course Architecture / Re: Winter Tour 2023-24: Galloping Round GATEHOUSE GC

« Last post by Andrew Slane on Today at 07:07:44 AM »

Many happy rounds here in my youth whilst on holiday, before the architecture bug struck. I do recall some wonderful views in good weather and always enjoyed the "hike" element. The greens were tiny & a real defence, looks like that hasn't changed - good to see!

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Golf Course Architecture / Re: Every club should do this!

« Last post by Mark_Fine on Today at 07:01:58 AM »

Pierre,
You are correct about some destination courses adding short courses.  I wish more would do it and or have the means and land to do it.  Many existing clubs/courses don’t.  Many classic courses as you probably know sold off their extra land if they had any and are locked in. Some don’t even have room for a decent driving range or warm up practice area.  My home club does still have land and is actually considering building a 9 hole par three course.  At one point there was talk of selling it off which would have been a big mistake.  Once it is gone it is gone. 


I have a project underway where we are planning to expand the existing nine hole par three course to 12 or 15 holes.  It will come down to funding as the first order of business is enhancing the current practice area/range as well as renovating the championship course. 


This idea is all about getting more people into the game of golf and making it more fun.  Most of us want to see the upward spike in golf we have at the moment to continue.  This 25 yards to start concept (Operation 36) is very popular at our club and elsewhere around the country.  Let’s hope it keeps growing. 

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Golf Course Architecture / Re: A Course with a Fairway Height of Cut of ≥ 1 inch and Green Stimp of ≤ 8

« Last post by James Bennett on Today at 03:23:35 AM »

I played at a 9 hole holiday island course in the Whitsundays (NE Australia) called South Molle.  It no longer exists.  Executive course length - lots of par 3's and a couple of short par 4's.


All the grass was cut at about 25 mm (about 1 inch).  Greens were small and sloped.


It was impossible to play shots to the green with a 7-iron because there was not enough room on the greens to land a ball and stop it.  Spin was impossible to impart because of the fairway length, and you couldn't run up a ball using the approach because of the velcro nature of 25mm grass.


Golf was an aerial game only, and required a wedge (with skilled play) to get around.


If the height of fairway cut was a half-inch, I might be interested.  Not at 1 inch or over.


James B

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Golf Course Architecture / Re: Every club should do this!

« Last post by Pierre Cruikshank on Today at 12:02:24 AM »

I'm fortunate enough that my home course has a 6 hole short course (1652 yds) with holes ranging from 133 yds - 410 yds. Most beginners, older players, & kids spend time on the short course.

When my siblings and I were learning to play golf my father would not allow us out on the golf course until we learn how to putt. We each spent nearly 3 years on the practice putting green. He would take us to the club, give us our putter then go play golf with his friends.

Something I'm noticing now is a lot of clubs are building short courses. This seems to be common for destination courses - Sand Valley, Citrus Farms, Pinehurst, Prairie Club, Old Saw Mill GC, Miakka GC, etc . My club in S. Carolina is planning to build a new short course - par 3s.

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Golf Course Architecture / Re: Every club should do this!

« Last post by Mark_Fine on Yesterday at 10:42:37 PM »

Just to be clear, this idea is NOT just for kids.  This is for all ages of players, young and old who are beginning to play golf and who want to play on their “home” course.  While this might be a surprise to some, there are MANY golfers playing or trying to play the game who will not shoot 36 or better from starting 25 yards in front of every green for 9 holes.  Furthermore, as they “graduate” to starting from 50 yards, 75 yards,..etc, believe it or not, this is Not chip and putt for many of these players.  When they get to 75 yards for example, many are still hitting woods to get to the green. 


And again as pointed out by others above, at many existing courses/clubs there are no options (extra land or money) to build a “short” course for these players.


This is a great idea/option to use their existing course for all ages and as I said, even accomplished players would benefit from playing nine holes once in awhile at their home/regular course from these starting points to see what they could shoot. 


And for the skeptics, go to a club/course that is doing Operation 36 and it might be eye opening for you to see who is participating.  It will also put into better perspective what many golf architects have to keep in mind with their designs/restorations/renovations.  Watching many golfers play at a wide variety of public and private courses for hours at a time has made me a very strong advocate of forward tees which we are adding at all my projects these days.  They are good for the game and I love this idea on top. 
 

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Golf Course Architecture / Re: Every club should do this!

« Last post by Pierre Cruikshank on Yesterday at 10:28:53 PM »

I'm fortunate enough that my home course has a 6 hole short course (1652 yds) with holes ranging from 133 yds - 410 yds. Most beginners, older players, & kids spend time on the short course.

When my siblings and I were learning to play golf my father would not allow us out on the golf course until we learn how to putt. We each spent nearly 3 years on the practice putting green. He would take us to the club, give us our putter then go play golf with his friends.

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Golf Course Architecture / Re: Pinehurst No 10 - New Tom Doak design

« Last post by Jerry Kluger on Yesterday at 10:15:42 PM »

I reached out to them as I wanted to take my son to play it for his birthday and the greens fee for #10 is $450.

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Golf Course Architecture / Re: Every club should do this!

« Last post by Rob Marshall on Yesterday at 08:52:38 PM »

The problem with most golfers is laziness, the inability to work on all parts of their game, hence, they have awful short games.


I was a dedicated practicer, I honed my short game. I got up and down at least 50% of the time, so if I hit 9 greens in regulations with a couple of birdies, I'd shot 74 all the time.


I bet 1/3 of my shots around the greens were for gimmes, that's what the average golfer does not do, does not care to do, has no motivation to do and doesn't ever want to put in the time and dedication to do. That's why they are 16 handicaps.

Course I'm a Social/Waiting list member in Naples has great short game practice areas. I could spend all day there. Never get bored with it. Experimenting  playing different shots with different clubs on the practice area opens up so many different options when you get out on the course.


On the original topic, I think it's a great way to get new golfers started. Learning to score is what it's all about.

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Golf Course Architecture / Re: From what ”starting point” should you judge a golf hole?

« Last post by cary lichtenstein on Yesterday at 08:50:36 PM »

How about standing behind the green and looking towards the tee? Gives a different perspective.
As an aside, I believe there’s a Moe Norman story where he asks his caddy what clubs he’ll likely use on a particular hole. Caddy replies Driver, 9-iron so when they reach the hole in question Moe hits 9-iron from the tee and Driver to the green.




Atb

great story, never heard that one before

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Golf Course Architecture / Re: Estates Course at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club, Tom Lehman Renovation

« Last post by Steve_ Shaffer on Yesterday at 08:49:22 PM »

The new Clubhouse will open in May with a 19,400sf building including a Bar & Grille and more.

https://azbiltmoregc.com/adobe-bar-grille/
https://azbiltmoregc.com/phoenix-estates-golf-course/