Design theory

[teal]

All,

I never really paid much attention to course design on a whole. I like certain holes to be sure but as far as say an over all desired affect? Nope.

I was wondering if some of the more learned here could answer a question.

Do you think course designers plan their holes to compliment or play off another? Do designers look to affect the whole experience or just put the holes in with an overall idea of par, and then simply go with whatever he can fit into the limits of the property?*

*To explain does the designer think "Man hole 5 was really tough, I am going to make hole 6 a bit easier so the golfer doesn't get too discouraged in the middle of the round" Or "Put some easy holes first so they get in a rythm and then slaughter them with a monster par 5 covered in sand and water." Or is it mostly - "I have x acres to work with a x million for bulldozers. Let's fit 18 holes in here somewhere."

[Dent]

It all depends on what kind of course designer they are. I know cheap Par 3 courses in my area aren't about that which I can really tell. They are the type of X acres, with X budget. They just wanna squeeze in 18.

Golf Architects can possibly be the most creative people on earth. They definatly consider the surrounding holes & hazards. I think they almost have the "Be the player" mentality when they are building the course. They think what the player will think. They try to make it challenging and discouraging, but not "walk off the course" discouraging.

[teal]

I understand that on each hole but do you think they try and string some holes together? That is a continuation of hole 3 in 4?

I liken it to sporting clays, station 2 might have everything moving left to right real low and fast, and 3 will be the same but slower then 4 goes right to left fast and high - just to break up your last 2 station habit.

[erova]

if you're interested in golf course architecture, try reading geoff schackleford's Grounds For Golf.

http://www.amazon.com/Grounds-Golf-H...3630918&sr;=8-1

then if you want to go a bit more in depth, you should definitely consider Tom Doak's Anatomy of a Golf Course.
http://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Golf-C...3630945&sr;=8-1

[hurley9192]

I'll second Erova's suggestions...2 very good design books.

A good designer will always look at the flow of holes, how they play against each other, where they fit in the round and topography. This all fits inside their canvas which is x acres and x dollars.