Temporary Greens?

GreeBo

What does anyone think about temp greens?
In my course we have PGA standard greens so they are only closed for frost.
The temps are pretty much cut out all year round but are typically not even close to the standard or your local par 3.

They frustrate the crap out of me as they are a total lottery to hit to and putt on. They are only in play during frost which means you end up putting through clumps of ice from everyones shoes. The ground is lumpy and rock hard. A lottery.

My "idea" is to have a flag for the temp with a 6 foot circle and a 10 foot circle around it. If you are inside the 10 footer u take add 2 to your score and move on. Inside the smaller circle you add one and move on. No one putts so its equally fair/unfair for everyone.

Ok it means no holes in one and no chance for zero putts (chip in etc) but in winter golf on temps its more about just getting out there really. It will also make the game much quicker and mean less works for the green keepers. Spray some paint at most once a week.

What does anyone think about this idea?
Im thinking of running it past the committee.

stevire

Yes, I agree with scoring zones

I wouldn't agree with the idea, for rec golf maybe but competition no way. A golfers putter could seperate him from the rest of the pack and what got him to where he is. With the idea of being in a scoring zone then I think he'll be at a disadvantage and the weaker golfer putter may score some unrealistic scores. This will effect handicap etc, and may not be a true reflection of the golfer.

I don't think it'd be a true test of putting skills and some of the weaker players of the short game would thrive if it ever came into play.

Temp greens, I'd admit can be frustrating. But generally they are smaller and less challenging at times. They also shorten the hole by a good 60/70 yards, in my home course, 4th hole is a 487 yard par 5 (from whites) in full greens. But as you play blind over a hill after 200 yards, when the temp green is in place the hole is approx 300 yards long!! (the flag can just be seen over the hill, obviously to avoid overhitting to the usual green)
I think that advantage speaks for itself. Holes shorter allow players to get there in less shots. The disadvantage is of course the quality of the temp green but the shots you save in getting there should make up for it.

Mister Sifter

Other ideas!

As you say near the end of your post, winter golf is all about just getting out there and keeping the swing going. I don't really have to play on winter greens, but when i do, i just accept that they're never going to be great and get on with it. When it comes to playing in December, january, February, i don't see too much point in moaning... if i can get out at all it's a bonus.

If the weather had been so bad that players were leaving behind ice clumps on greens i don't think i'd bother playing.

kingshankly

What about the idea of artifical greens every winter roll them out on the rough don't have to be too large . Would be maintenance free and protect your greens over the winter. Would also be an ideal putting surface. When spring arrives(if ever) roll them up and throw them in the shed . I know you will be left with a patch of dead grass but as it's in the rough shouldn't take to long to repair. Although the initial cost might be high I reckon over the years you will save money not having to repair greens or worry about creating good temporary ones

f22

N/A we dont have temps

Personally, I'd rather stay at home than play temporary greens. I'm all for protecting greens but trying to put on a shaven piece of fairway is a waste of time in my eyes.

GreeBo

N/A we dont have temps

stevire wrote: »

I wouldn't agree with the idea, for rec golf maybe but competition no way. A golfers putter could seperate him from the rest of the pack and what got him to where he is. With the idea of being in a scoring zone then I think he'll be at a disadvantage and the weaker golfer putter may score some unrealistic scores. This will effect handicap etc, and may not be a true reflection of the golfer.

I don't think it'd be a true test of putting skills and some of the weaker players of the short game would thrive if it ever came into play.

Temp greens, I'd admit can be frustrating. But generally they are smaller and less challenging at times. They also shorten the hole by a good 60/70 yards, in my home course, 4th hole is a 487 yard par 5 (from whites) in full greens. But as you play blind over a hill after 200 yards, when the temp green is in place the hole is approx 300 yards long!! (the flag can just be seen over the hill, obviously to avoid overhitting to the usual green)
I think that advantage speaks for itself. Holes shorter allow players to get there in less shots. The disadvantage is of course the quality of the temp green but the shots you save in getting there should make up for it.

Yes but that shorter advantage is the same for everyone. You will still be playing against each other and not the course.
Your handicap doesnt come into play on temp greens anyway so you dont need to worry about getting cut etc. All the comps will be NQ anyway.
Also, I dont see how a smaller temp green is "less challenging" than a larger green. In fact I think its the total opposite!

I agree that having a great short game can be used to separate yourself from everyone else, but not on temps. There is no skill in putting or chipping to a temp green. Its pure blind luck whether or not it stops dead or hops 12 feet in the air.
Its slower as eve good golfers go over and back past the hole as the ball jumps and hops.
Its wasted effort by the greens staff to keep these things going.

I honestly cant see 1 positive to them other than they let you to continue to play in frost and you will get that with my idea. I also dont see any negatives to the scoring zones other than you cant have a hole in one or a chip in.