Showing posts with label #2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #2. Show all posts

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Green Theory Notes

Some notes on our Green Theory and what we created at Wolf Point (2nd green pictured above):

There are no rules - the following are some observations from our work.
Greens fit the client and the business model, including maintenance goals
An open green front for run-up shots – few forced carries
Each green will be original and different from the rest and in the same family or seem related.
Proportional variation - some may look the same but play different.
Fit settings without any conspicuous or artificial mounding
Contours vary from subtle to bold – with no distinct levels or shelfs – more like soft organic folds
Accentuated by micro movement and drainage exit points in multiple locations
Simple circular mow patterns that would ideally blend into the subsequent teeing complex
Start with a minimum of pin settings and area based on amount of play
Rewarding of multiple approach angles based on client – front, left, right, back and multiple - which is generally accomplished with varying tilts and surface biases
(Based on client as a private club may have more greens that run away from the player)
Wolf Point is unique in total rounds will never be over a few thousand – so we designed as fun as possible – the client will be playing every single day – we needed to keep it interesting every day.
Preliminary sketches may look simple – but they are rather complex upon description
Their interest comes from the 3rd dimension

From above the greens appear as circles or ellipses – no squiggly mow lines creating artificial interest – same with the fairways.
Wolf Point greens are Emerald Bermuda – in fitting with the clients maintenance requirements
The immediate surrounds are also Emerald Bermuda – allowing for full circles and uniform water requirements
The greens mix was excavated from on site – at an installation cost of way less than $1 a ton. Morris Brown and an agronomist preferred the native materials over a spec mix.
The roots are currently over 8” long and performing great in this drought year.
The above two items saved approximately $500,000 at Wolf Point and will be a consideration for all my future warm season projects.
Greens should roll at speeds appropriate to the clientele and slope
At Wolf Point they will roll up to a 10+ and are VERY FIRM
Sizes range from 4,500 to 10,000 sft.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Eagleman2


It only took one more round to see someone else hole out a shot for an eagle 2 - the last one by Don.
This one our guest hit a 6 iron from the big fairway bunker - pictured above - one hop or two right into the hole. Don and I were witnesses.
Our guests loved the course and sure had fun - even without that incredible shot.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

"What makes you think you can design a golf course?"


When I first started my journey from working as an aerospace engineer to golf course architect there were quite a few naysayers, bad advice givers and mostly those that didn't respond to calls or e-mails - all understandably so.  And eventually there were many who were more than helpful - thank you.

On Friday a young man from Texas A&M met with me in my office about his potential future in the golf design business. I think some would say "Don't even consider it!" and would probably be accurate - it will be a tough road for anyone for the next few years. But I do think there is certainly room for an excellent project for me, just like I think there would be some opportunities for this young man to find an start. He didn't know what questions to ask yet, but I'm sure glad I was able to offer some suggestions with potential.

Pictured above is proof that even a small bunker can create a big penalty.  It is me trying to hit the 2nd green.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

The 2nd Green from two perspectives

Above is the 2nd green again. This picture was taken from just behind the bunker. Notice the contours.

When I take a few steps back, and get a few feet in the air, the green changes completely (see below). I hope it is evident that the tee shot placement in the fairway matters a great deal.


From the left side of the fairway the right side of the green falls away from the approach, and from the right side of the fairway the left side of the green falls away.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

#2 from a secluded forward tee

Per a recent request - here is a view from a tee - #2 from a secluded forward tee. There is a short carry across the native to reach the fairway. I haven't shown many tee shot pictures because the native will take a growing season to get healthy again. We chose to not irrigate the perimeter for cost and environmental reasons. Typically the irrigation installed in the native areas is only temporary - and eventually abandoned or wasted. And often when grown back with irrigation, they become over grown and a long term management issue. Our native grasses were there before, and will be back again - in time.

After you choose which side of the fairway to hit - based on hole location - you must avoid the bunkers that look like litter blowing across a field. Both times I played last week - with Don - my approach bounced to the back edge of the green - after what I thougth were well placed shots - and left me with very difficult putts. It will take a few plays getting used to what is now a perfect maintenance meld (tm - Tom Paul). The fairways and greens are both firm and fast. Don is doing an amazing job.


I just added a link to the routing plan to the top right of the blog.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

The 2nd Green - The Dictator

The most dictating green on the course is the second. The second fairway is also one of the widest on the course. Depending on hole location the ideal approach shot should be hit from either the right or left edge of the fairway. So the hole can dictate a 75 yard difference in the optimum approach spot. I pitched a bunch of balls to the green from the middle of the fairway just about 60 yards out - it was definate proof of the holes strategy. Here is an older picture - thankfully now committed to the archives.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

The 2nd - earlier this spring

Each Monday I’ll be talking about one of the golf holes more specifically – not a generic bland description, but a feature that I like or I think is special. More than any other hole on the course, the pin placement polarizes which side of the wide fairway is the optimum side. The green is pretty wild. Don spent a great deal of time both tying the green into the surrounds and ensuring it fit into the long views of the ranch portion of the property. The green is in front of the scraper in the background. I’d say this hole looks easy and plays hard. Into the prevailing wind doesn’t make it any easier. You can see there was a little water in a fairway bunker earlier this spring – we were still finishing the drainage.
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