Technically if everybody is playing the same hole, it's fair. But, 'form should follow function.' You shouldn't be having a 460 yard par 4 hitting into a postage stamp that slopes away from the golfer. That stuff should be reserved for holes with short iron approach shots, again...'form following function.'
There's a course outside of Atlanta that's only 6,600 yards and it's probably the most difficult under 7,000 yard course I've ever played. And out of any course that I've every played, only playing Kiawah from 7,300 and Bethpage Black were harder. I've played Oak Hill a few times and thought Oak Hill was easier.
Basically, it's in an area that is about as hilly as you can play. It's fairways are postage stamps and all but about 3 greens have huge tiers into the green. The first 3 holes start out okay, but then 4-12 are about as ridiculous as it gets. And the other big problem is that you can't miss left or right just a little or your golf ball is off the face of the earth.
Golf is supposed to be enjoyable and I'm not sure what this architect was thinking when he built it (and he's a pretty reputable architect). The end result for 'not being fair' is a course that nobody wants to play and really just a waste of space.
I find most of the time with golf course design, less is more.
3JACK
Hi Jack,
It sounds like "Country Club" designing. Ya know, so the members won't get bored after 10 years and they can win a little cash when they bring guests to play.
On the other hand, if its a public course, I think wrong Venue. Public courses should be for everyones enjoyment.
It sounds like "Country Club" designing. Ya know, so the members won't get bored after 10 years and they can win a little cash when they bring guests to play.
On the other hand, if its a public course, I think wrong Venue. Public courses should be for everyones enjoyment.
It originally started off as a Country Club. Then it basically shut down (IIRC) and then was bought out by another corporation. I am part of a unique membership here in Atlanta where there's an LLC that owns 21 courses around the Atlanta area. They charge a monthly fee for membership and then every time I want to play...and I can play any of the 21 courses...I pay about $25 (cart & greens fee). The thing is that I'm technically a member at only 2 of the courses and I'm allowed to make tee times 7 days in advance. In the other 19 courses, I pay the same price, but I only can make tee times 3 days in advance.
Anyway, this course barely has anybody playing there because it's just a ridiculously tough layout. Number 12 for example is about 450 from the tips, par 4. You have to hit over these woods and into a ridiculously small landing area. Almost guaranteed to lose your ball and you may go too far with driver and hit into a big pond. The pond goes right up to the green where you have about a 200 yard shot into the green. Oh yeah, it has a gigantic tier right in the middle of the green.
So sure, it's technically fair if everybody is playing the same hole. But, it's not going to make anybody want to play it again.
Another course I play is about 15 minutes down the road from this one, a Palmer design, that's about 6,900 yards, doesn't have a bad hole on the course, very picturesque, etc. Love to play it.
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