On Architecture

Random quotes by some of the more famous golf course architects.

Donald RossAs beautiful as trees are, and as fond as you and I are of them, we still must not lose sight of the fact there is a limited place for them in golf. We must not allow our sentiments to crowd out the real intent of a golf course, that of providing fair playing conditions. If it in any way interferes with a properly played stroke, I think the tree is an unfair hazard and should not be allowed to stand. – Donald Ross, from “Golf Has Never Failed Me”

Every hole should be a demanding par and a comfortable bogey. – Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

It is an important thing in golf to make holes look much more difficult than they really are. People get more pleasure out of doing a hole which looks almost impossible and yet is not so difficult as it appears. – Dr. Alister Mackenzie, “The Spirit of St. Andrews”

The difficulties that make a hole really interesting are usually those in which a great advantage can be gained in successfully accomplishing heroic carries over hazards of an impressive appearance, or in taking great risks to place a shot so as to gain a big advantage for the next. Successfully carrying or skirting a bunker of an alarming or impressive appearance is always a source of satisfaction to the golfer, and yet it is hazards of this description which so often give rise to criticism by the unsuccessful player. At first sight he looks upon it as grossly unfair that two shots within a few inches of each, the one shall be hopelessly buried in a bunker and the other should be in an ideal position. If, however, he will give it further consideration he will realize that this is the chief consideration of all good golf holes. – Dr. Alister Mackenzie, “The Spirit of St. Andrews”

By arranging the green bunkers in such a way as to invite play in from one side or the other he can also put a premium on placing the tee shot on the proper side of the fairway. William Flynn, USGA Green Section Record 1927

While bunkers are thought by many to be put in as penalizers they are installed to present a problem or mode of play. – William Flynn, USGA Green Section Record 1927

A first class hole must have the subtleties and stategic problems which are difficult to understand, and are therefore extremely likely to be condemned at first sight even by the best of players. – Dr. Alister Mackenzie, “The Spirit of St. Andrews”

Donald Ross has had a great impact on golf course architecture. He seems to be the standard by which we are all measured today. – Jack Nicklaus

If a hole does not possess a striking individuality through some gift of nature, it must be given as much as possible artifically and the artifice must be introduced in so subtle a manner as to make it seem natural. – A. W. Tillinghast

A golf course is a living and constantly changing thing. – Rees Jones

The first purpose of any golf course should be to give pleasure, and that to the greatest number of players, without respect to their capabilities. – Dr. Alister Mackenzie

Fairway bunkering is there to make golfers think, not just a penalty for errant shots. – Tom Doak

The spirit of golf is to dare a hazard, and by negotiating it reap a reward, while he who fears or declines the issue of carry, has a longer or harder shot for his next play. – George C. Thomas

In general, I believe that to thoroughly enjoy golf, one should understand and appreciate something of the theory and strategy of the golf course. – George C. Thomas

Over the last 45 years, the biggest change I’ve noticed is that the conditioning of golf courses is so much better today. The one place everybody enjoyed going to so much was Augusta because it was always immaculate. But today, you have those impeccable conditions everywhere. – Arnold Palmer, Golf Magazine, April 2004

The object of a bunker or trap is not only to punish a physical mistake, to punish lack of control, but also to punish pride and egotism. – Charles Blair Macdonald

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