J Drew Rogers

Enjoyable Golf

My Daily Journal from England – Day 2

Wow.  Sunningdale proved to be heathlands golf at its finest. The weather today was something on the line of a complete washing machine cycle.  Sun, then wind, then driving rain… then sun, and repeat again. We played Sunningdale, the New Course… which is hardly such, but nonetheless the newer of the two courses, designed by […]

My Daily Journal from England – Day 1

To Heath and Links Study Tour is now underway in England.  Today found us all arriving to London, getting our bearings and making a refreshing and insightful tour of Sunningdale Golf Club and their noted “Lost Holes” by Harry Colt on the New Course.  Without getting into complicated details, a number of holes were repositioned […]

My Daily Journal from England

Recently my marketing manager (wife) remarked to me that I have not been diligent with my blogging efforts… and she is right (she’s always right). And to her credit, she suggested that I post daily blogs during my upcoming tour of England’s finest golf courses – just check in with some details from the day […]

Is There a Silver Bullet in Golf Course Architecture?

  As you might imagine, architects get pressed quite often to profess our opinions about what makes one golf course better than another.   And while I think that is more an individual preference (or left to magazines), there are some courses that stand out among the rest.  But why?  Is it their great beauty?  Is […]

Stuck on the Stimp

Ah, yes…. the stimpmeter.  A simple tool used to determine consistency on putting green surfaces…. and, obviously, speed.   Superintendents check the speed of the greens from time to time in relation to surface contour and slopes, to help in identifying proper cupping areas. And when readings meet the acceptable range, then the green speeds are […]

Making Some Sense of Course Rankings (?)

I have to blunt here…. to me, all the course ratings and rankings out there today have become rather insipid and an exhaustive re-statement of the impossible.  But perhaps, there is another side of these listings to be considered? It cannot be argued that, in our business, it’s great if your course garners some attention […]

Sage Advice

  I have heard from some of you lately, wondering when they could expect to see the next blog.  Sorry that things have been a little busy….but here’s an entry to hopefully get things back on track. I don’t know about you, but I both enjoy and find it worthwhile to sort through all the […]

From Sunningdale to Sylvania

Golf has been kind to the greater Toledo, Ohio area – a rich history of playing personalities, storied tournaments and grand courses.  One thinks immediately of the Inverness Club, regularly regarded among America’s top 50 courses and host to US Opens, PGA Championships, and a US Amateur, among others.  The course was designed by one […]

10 Simple Thoughts on How to Promote “Fun” Golf

It seems that golf is at least somewhat inherently fun for most of us, right?  Maybe because of the challenge it presents – man against golf course.  Perhaps it is the camaraderie one can enjoy with friends.  For some it might be the competitive encounters.  It could also be because it is an outdoor activity […]

Back Again to Bandon

  Surely by now the word is out….there is a world class golf resort on the coast of southern Oregon?  It’s called Bandon Dunes.  There are four 18-hole courses on the property and they’re all ranked among the Top 100 in the US.  Yes, you say?  You’ve heard of it?  Oh, you’ve been there?  Great!  […]

Reflections on Long Island Part Four of Four

  Several weeks ago, I joined up with nearly 100 of my golf course architect friends from Europe, Australia and the US for five days of golf, architectural study and camaraderie on some of our country’s finest venues.   Our destination: Long Island, NY. Our final day of golf took us into New Jersey and to […]

Reflections on Long Island Part Three of Four

  Several weeks ago, I joined up with nearly 100 of my golf course architect friends from Europe, Australia and the US for five days of golf, architectural study and camaraderie on some of our country’s finest venues.   Our destination: Long Island, NY. Day three found us at Maidstone Club, again on the east end […]

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