Tree Removal at Classic Courses

[DeadMan]

Donald Ross course...

[JonMA1]

This is just a personal preference and not how I think all courses should be. I like a lot of trees or least enough to make an errant shot costly (not necessarily a lost ball). I also find courses with a lot of trees aesthetically pleasing and more enjoyable to play than those with fewer trees.

I don't disagree with keeping the original design or any of the other benefits for removing trees.

[iacas]

16 hours ago, JonMA1 said:

I like a lot of trees or least enough to make an errant shot costly (not necessarily a lost ball).

What makes you think hitting a ball into the rough is not "costly" at many of these courses with less trees?

Often, a shot into the trees is less costly than a shot into the rough (or fescue) on a course with few trees. The grass is thinner under trees.

16 hours ago, JonMA1 said:

I also find courses with a lot of trees aesthetically pleasing and more enjoyable to play than those with fewer trees.

Yeah, nobody likes sweeping vistas where you can see seven, eight, nine holes all from one location. 😛

Teasing a bit, but… not entirely. I just think maybe you haven't played the right courses.

[JonMA1]

1 hour ago, iacas said:

What makes you think hitting a ball into the rough is not "costly" at many of these courses with less trees?

Often, a shot into the trees is less costly than a shot into the rough (or fescue) on a course with few trees. The grass is thinner under trees.

The courses I play have both trees and fescue/heather and rough.

Never said or meant to imply courses with less trees were without hazards or less difficult. Two different kinds of trouble.

1 hour ago, iacas said:

Yeah, nobody likes sweeping vistas where you can see seven, eight, nine holes all from one location. 😛

 Teasing a bit, but… not entirely.

In all fairness, I was clear it was a personal preference.

1 hour ago, iacas said:

I just think maybe you haven't played the right courses.

You are probably correct, but we will likely never know.

I have played this course which is considered one of the more beautiful courses in the country. And yes, it was beautiful to look at... so long as I wasn't playing golf. After the first few holes it became underwhelming. Well-maintained and as challenging as other courses, but to me, boring to play.