What's the "Right" Way to Modernize a Course?

[knockdstiff]

Yes - some length increases have been necessary to keep courses relevant. Guys should not be playing for a million bucks and a major title on a 6500 yard course and just driver-wedge everything. But for various reasons I don't think we need to get into here - just adding length can't go on forever, and guys are still making a mockery out of 500 yard par 4s anyways.

 

Seems to me the way to "protect" courses in the way that has been intended all along is to simply tighten the fairways, lengthen the rough, and dry things out a little bit. Don't take away driver as an option, but demand precision.

 

Why do those who are in a position to worry about keeping courses relevant spend huge amounts of money on more land when (it seems like) they could get a lot farther by just cutting less grass? Is it a ratings thing? Am I oversimplifying this? Probably?

[Emthree]

Just need to make it more like a US open with easier greens. When the rough is rough and the bunkers are hazards. Brings short knockers back into contention too, look at the past US open champions.

 

I do like to watch the odd course where the name of the game is to blast in as many birdies as possible though.

[Llortamaisey]

Not Caddyshack 2

[teejaywhy]

Tournament ball.

[knock it close]

Courses need to be designed better. More of an emphasis needs to be placed on angles and precision. Also firming it up so it isn't plug and play makes it tougher on the best.

[MtlJeff]

first of all, the question should be "how do you modernize a course that's intended to be used by the top 0.1% of golfers"

 

The average golfer has plenty of difficulty on any course. I see too many threads about the out of control ball, and the 300yd drive, and then when you play in the actual real world, it's a total non-issue. I read guys like Jack Nicklaus talking about the higher costs for maintaining 7400yd courses, and i wonder who the heck they are building these courses for? A resort course not intended for tour use that's 7500yds long is simply idiotic, and deserves to go out of business , because 99.9% of players will not play the tips.

 

There is no need to change 99% of the golf courses out there. Many of them don't see their own tips used on more then what could be described as an infrequent basis

 

For pros, and courses designed or expected to host PGA tour tournaments, i would say to tighten fairways and grow rough. Players hate that....but stop coddling players. They enjoy their paychecks, trust me they will not quit and go apply at Applebees. Tighten fairways , grow US open rough, and have greens play fast. You could simply do that and it's problem solved. The issue currently is that the tour coddles players, the players complain about rough...so the venues are too scared of the "independant contractors" to grow rough...because then players won't show up and their tournament dies. It's easier to just make a bombers course that plays fairly easy so the top players will attend. It's more about money for the sponsors then what's best for golf, the game, or the courses. Want Rory Mcilroy to show up? That's how you do it...

 

Not an easy problem to solve in reality.

 

Changing the ball is the worst possible answer. Because it punishes the people who arent causing the problem, and who have enough problems with golf. It punishes the average player because the tour and its sponsors are terrified of standing up to pros who complain about long rough

[One_Putt_Blunder]

TPC Scottsdale IMO a really good answer to OP's question. Not much length was added but fairway bunkers either reworked or added to landing distance. Not just for pros but if ams are playing correct tees they're in play for them too.

 

In a bit of a give and take the white tour sand was added and sand save % is up due to the better consistency of the sand.

 

 

Before the 2014 renovation it was holes 15-18 and 14 of the most overrated holes in Phoenix with an insanely boring front 9. Post reno its a very good course and much more interesting off the tee vs being a bomb and gougers paradise before.

[Forged4ever]

Take a look at Merion, 6800 and change.....

 

It's still relevant~

 

Ask Phil.....

 

Oh, and yea, their showers are the finest showers I have ever been in~

 

Ya just can't beat Eastern Old School :)

 

Fairways & Greens My Friends,

RP

[Thunderfist]

I second what the op is saying. I'd like to see the long tine rakes for the sand bunkers. Then bring in some grass bunkers as well. I know this doesn't fit the "green" way but the grass bunkers is for pga courses where money is not a big issue.

 

Also as in all others sports, fans love to see the pros score. Defense is no longer allowed so why would the pga tour try to be different imo.

[awil]

Grew up playing a course that hosted a lot of prestigious USGA events in the 50's through the 80's and was some sort of tour stop in the early 2000's . Members would always point out to be the hill John Daly flew it to off on the par 5 third that's pretty much where members try to land there second shot .

 

A well designed course should inherently create risk reward for the par 5's

If there's not enough risk for tour players they'll destroy the hole

 

Add a few bunkers short of the green 20-30 yards and there's a few less birdies .

Play old school Severely sloping greens and that's another way to modernize courses

 

The biggest reason though a lot of these courses are unable to hold events anymore is they simply don't have long or big enough driving ranges , and enough room for all the cooperate hospitality and bleachers that the modern tour stop has all but made the norm for golf . I know that's the biggest reason for the course I grew up playing . They simply couldn't handle the tents , and bleachers and crowds the modern tour is drawing . It could hold its own I'd say at 6900-7100