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.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Blog Action Day - Walk NO GOLF CARTS!



I'm not a big fan of the words "Save the Planet" - I'm a fan of saying "Save Ourselves" more.

My 3 recommendations:

Don't build cart paths.
Walk don't ride a golf cart (if you can).
Ignore the USGA's groove change rule - what a waste of good golf clubs.

Cheers

Sunday, October 11, 2009

There is no Greatest Golf Course!

There is no greatest golf course: there are only greatest golf courses
Is the title of my essay in the most recent of Paul Daley's outstanding books: Golf Architecture a Worldwide Perspective Volume V.

Why does the golf course industry segment courses in a way different from the way that people who play golf enjoy the game and its grounds? Why are there such differences between what the magazine rankings and also players consider to be the greatest course?

Please read the essay here for the detailed answers. The short answer is that there are different types of players and golf courses. The world's greatest courses weren't built for everyone, they were crafted for a specific client. It became much easier to express my existing thoughts after viewing Malcolm Gladwell's discussion on spaghetti sauce. Please read the essay and watch the video - it is worth sharing.

Cheers

Monday, October 5, 2009

Swanson's Yardage Chart in Flash







Want to know the yardages to the 11 target greens at Swanson's Golf Center?
Find the nearest spot, on the 53,000 square foot tee, to the sprinkler in the above flash file.
Click the arrow hands until your spot is highlighted.
Read the measurements to the target greens.

If you have an i-phone give this link a try:
http://www.mnuzzo.com/flash/swanson.swf

Thank you Charlie & LearningEngineer.com

Sunday, September 20, 2009

The Bat Cage Before and After

The Bat Cage was the old range at what is now the Swanson Golf Center.
Every club in your bag would hit a net, unless you were practicing 7 iron stingers.
The satellite dishes did have some sort of appeal - not sure to who.
Here is the short game area that resides over the dead bones of the Bat Cage. The new range is on the other side of the clubhouse.


Thursday, September 17, 2009

The Texas Trophy


Had a fun three days at the Texas Trophy. The annual golf tournament sponsored by the Lone Star Chapter of the GCSAA.
Memorial Park is a very pleasant place to play.
Jason Harsh is the superintendent that keeps everything in order.
The great flags are provided by Gail's Flags in Fort Worth, TX.
I fared a whole lot better in the Sunday teams and all the great camaraderie.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Houston's best golf school!


Congratulations on the opening Matt.
It sure was a great project.
www.swingpure.com

Friday, September 4, 2009

On the Road Again

I thought this traveling roadshow was very cool. Swanson's recently had their high tech trailer decked out. If you see them on the road get your clubs tuned - or you can visit them at Matt's new center - almost completely open. http://www.swingpure.com
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