What makes a good course?

drollab

Peoples opinions vary on what courses they think are the best in Ireland so I am interested to see what people think makes a good course.
Is it water hazards?
Scoring opportunities?
Wide fairways?

It might be easier to say what people dislike about golf courses.
Im not looking for examples of courses so don't start slating courses!!!

slumped

i think it's the aesthetic value a course has.

the natural beauty, be it rough terrain of a links or the classic styling of manicured parklands fairways.

presentation is important (edging on bunkers, pitch marks being repaired etc)

And as a 19 handicapper I think no rough, no water and 230 yard par 4s are brilliant.

S

PhilipMarlowe

Interesting question, though probably impossible to answer

Assuming there isn't history attached to the course (like st andrews or something), the setting has a huge influence for me. For eg, driving into mount juliet gives me the drools...
After that, design is key, and that's so hard for me to explain. IMO, you shouldn't need to hit 'trick' shots, generally hate blind shots and 90º doglegs... like some risk/reward holes and some genuinely tough par 4's.

Design is hard to explain... my favourite hole on my home course is a straight par 4, not overly long, practically flat and has no bunkers! It happens to be completely surrounded by mature trees - lining both sides and wrap around behind both the tee and green... so it's incredibly well 'designed' into the terrain (15th in gowran park, jeff howes).

WHIP IT!

Variety, really...

I like a course where you need to think about every shot, including the tee-shot. You don't just get up, blast away with the driver and then walk down and see what you're faced with...

It's good to have to "plot" your way round as they say...

I like to have at least one long par-three that's like 3/4 iron and at least one short, tricky one that's a 9iron or wedge... Also a reachable par-five is always fun - but it must be risk-rewad, not just short for the sake of being short.... And a seemingly "unreachable" par-five as well...

I don't mind doglegs as such but who wants to be hitting "blind shots"?? :rolleyes: Ridiculous - why would you not want to see the shot you're playing? That's why you go play golf...

Aesop

A lot of of what Whip it said TBH with one addition...

One thing that drives me nuts about courses is where holes are built on top of one another. You know the ones that have the tee box for the next hole about 10 yards from the green, crossing fairways, tee boxes hitting out over greens, the sound of fore's echoing from every corner of the course etc etc....so to answer your question...

I love courses that each hole looks like it's completely independant without reference or regard to any other hole on the course. Carlow is a good example.

WHIP IT!

Aesop wrote: »

A lot of of what Whip it said TBH with one addition...

One thing that drives me nuts about courses is where holes are built on top of one another. You know the ones that have the tee box for the next hole about 10 yards from the green, crossing fairways, tee boxes hitting out over greens, the sound of fore's echoing from every corner of the course etc etc....so to answer your question...

I love courses that each hole looks like it's completely independant without reference or regard to any other hole on the course. Carlow is a good example.

Most definitely +1

rigal

WHIP IT! wrote: »

Variety, really...

I like a course where you need to think about every shot, including the tee-shot. You don't just get up, blast away with the driver and then walk down and see what you're faced with...

It's good to have to "plot" your way round as they say...

I like to have at least one long par-three that's like 3/4 iron and at least one short, tricky one that's a 9iron or wedge... Also a reachable par-five is always fun - but it must be risk-rewad, not just short for the sake of being short.... And a seemingly "unreachable" par-five as well...

I don't mind doglegs as such but who wants to be hitting "blind shots"?? :rolleyes: Ridiculous - why would you not want to see the shot you're playing? That's why you go play golf...

Yeah I think you nailed it with most of those points. A good course should be a bit of a mental challenge alright.

I have to say though I enjoy the odd dog leg that involves a blind shot. It gives you a clear risk-reward based decision to make on the tee. The anticipation you feel when walking around the corner after hitting a good one is a buzz. This can sometimes turn to misery though if your ball is nowhere to be seen!

Both courses at Ballyliffen have a few such holes. If any of you are up around Donegal you should check them out....

markymac

Again I would agree with a lot of the above. A pet hate of mine is blind shots, which are especially a pain if you are playing a course for the first time, it's not too bad for members as you get used to it and know where to aim.
I like a mix on the par 3's, my own course doesn't have a short par 3, which is disappointing. Again, I would agree with having to think and plot your way around, I think this evens it up for people rather than making courses longer, just make it that you have to be accurate (ish).

I always like it when a course is well looked after & well maintained, it makes it more pleasurable to play, for me anyway.

stockdam

It's obviously personal taste.

I prefer courses where every hole is like an oasis......isolated and "hidden" from the rest of the course.......I don't like flat and open courses. Tree lined or dune lined holes are more interesting. I don't like up and down courses where you play up to a hole then play almost the reverse hole back again.

The condition of the course is also important. Greens must be well maintained, fairways mown and bunkers with good quality sand.

Lastly, I hate courses that are bunged and you are always waiting or else being pushed if you are looking for a ball.

Oh and a free bar on every hole (ok I'm dreaming now).

GreeBo

IMO there is a big difference between a true blind shot and a dog leg.
On a dog leg you are choosing to hit a blind tee shot, you are taking a risk and cutting the corner, but you dont have to to play the hole.
True blind shots (tee miles below fairway for example) to me a are a sign of a poorly designed golf course.