What is the most important part of a golf course?

[anthony]

The singular most important part of a golf course, in my opinion, is the greens. If a course has poor greens, it really sucks the life out of a round no matter how nice the rest of the course is. I can deal with fairways that are a little neglected or a crappy clubhouse with a crabby person behind the counter, but bad greens are the worst. Secondly, I'd say the tee boxes. Especially on Par 3's and holes where you're hitting an iron off the tee (doglegs, layups, etc). You shouldn't be at a disadvantage because the tee boxes are so torn up you can't find a flat spot to stand on.

[mtsalmela80]

No doubt. The course I play after work is a nice 3000 yard 9 hole course. Decent length par 4s, etc. BUT, the greens have nipples all over them. Everywhere where a aeration was taken out earlier this year, grass is growing up and the ball makes like a mogul skiier on its way to the home. You simply cannot putt like this, depending on how many bumps the ball hits, pace is a big X variable.

Originally Posted by anthony

The singular most important part of a golf course, in my opinion, is the greens. If a course has poor greens, it really sucks the life out of a round no matter how nice the rest of the course is. I can deal with fairways that are a little neglected or a crappy clubhouse with a crabby person behind the counter, but bad greens are the worst. Secondly, I'd say the tee boxes. Especially on Par 3's and holes where you're hitting an iron off the tee (doglegs, layups, etc). You shouldn't be at a disadvantage because the tee boxes are so torn up you can't find a flat spot to stand on.

[Jwat381]

I  haven't had the luxury of playing a large amount of courses at my age yet, but of the ones I have played, I think the greens really are the biggest factor. That being said, my biggest pet peeve is bad fairways. Because I live in Oregon, the courses are more or less wet a good portion of the year, but when you play a course with good quality turf and a better base, it doesn't effect the game so much that you feel like you're hitting out of mud every shot. Layout is very important, obviously, as you can only play so many straight holes with similar distances so many times. Another thing for me is the setting i.e. how far away from busy roads or neighborhoods the course is. I want to feel like I'm in my own little slice of paradise during my time on the course. Ocean Dunes and Emerald Valley are the two courses that I have been fortunate enough to play that epitomize these features. Great layouts and good surfaces in a serene environment. That's golf for me.

[Jwat381]

That is very frustrating when you have to re-tee the ball a few times to find a spot that feels flat with some good ground to hit off. I'll find a nice patch of grass but then my feet are uneven, or something along those lines. I try to take advantage of the 2-clublengths behind the markers as often as I can when the boxes are really poor.

Originally Posted by anthony

The singular most important part of a golf course, in my opinion, is the greens. If a course has poor greens, it really sucks the life out of a round no matter how nice the rest of the course is. I can deal with fairways that are a little neglected or a crappy clubhouse with a crabby person behind the counter, but bad greens are the worst. Secondly, I'd say the tee boxes. Especially on Par 3's and holes where you're hitting an iron off the tee (doglegs, layups, etc). You shouldn't be at a disadvantage because the tee boxes are so torn up you can't find a flat spot to stand on.

[limoric]

For sure the greens are most important. If they roll true, it should not matter the condition of the rest of the course. Nothing sucks more than perfect fairways and shitty greens, but the reverse can still produce an enjoyable round in IMO...

[k-troop]

I have a 4-part golf course evaluation system.  All four parts are given equal weight.

1. Course layout.  Design, variety of holes and shots, risk rewards, etc.

2. Course conditions.  Speed and smoothness of greens, tight fairway lies, consistent sand, etc.

3. Amenities.  Clubhouse, locker room, 19th hole, pro shop, range, etc.

4. Cart girls.

Patents are pending.

[MizunoPez]

Greens for sure, more importantly, green speed consistency.

[caniac6]

Greens complexes. That includes greens contouring, bunkering, chipping areas & greens surface quality, I think that, along with fair landing zones make courses the most fun to play.

[Th3R00st3r]

Originally Posted by Clambake

Really cute cart girls.

I came here to post this.

Seriously, I think the shape the greens and areas outside of the greens. That's where most of the strokes are. If the greens are well manicured, then I'm happy.

[stogiesnbogies]

I am not a long hitter so the shortgame is 100 percent of my game.....definitely the Greens!!!      : )

Recently my club had an insect infestation which damaged virtually all the greens....absolutely ruined my game for several weeks....recently they have improved and so has my pitching , chipping and putting....

[preisman]

Greens are a bit part of what I look for. The next is design/layout. One of my favorite courses is usually in poor condition, but is so much fun to play.

[JerseyThursday]

Originally Posted by Clambake

Really cute cart girls.

And, pencils with erasers. Always the first indication if a course is quality or not.

[briggek8717]

It's close, but I'll say layout.  Course conditions is a very close second.  I don't care how well groomed the course is, if every hole is right next to the previous one and straght, I'm going to be bored with it.

[scratcher]

Practise facility, greens and hot dogs, but not nescessarily in that order.

[Matthew Brett]

100% the golf greens.  Have you ever played on a course with rock hard greens?  Sure, divots everywhere on a fairway would bother me.  Sure, uninteresting terrain makes me bored.  There is nothing worse than a green that plays like concrete.

[John King]

For me its the tee boxes. I cant stand being on a tee box that has no flat area  on which to stand or tee your ball.

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by John King

For me its the tee boxes. I cant stand being on a tee box that has no flat area  on which to stand or tee your ball.

I agree.  I've played on courses with nice greens but bad tee boxes, but never on a course with great tee boxes and anything less than great greens.

Brandon

[mosnas]

Gotta say course consistency as far as length of grass.  My home course is nothing special long greens rough like fairways and isn't cut daily.  But the part that bothers me the most is that the greens on the 1st hole will be much slower than the 6th.  Because of this it makes it impossible to get a consistent putter stroke from any distance.