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 […]
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 […]
Human beings are creatures of habit, are we not? We certainly have a tendency to cling to the proverbial status quo. We also fear what we don’t know. For many things in life, routine and comfort can be good. In golf, however, we can easily get our boots stuck in the mud to the point […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
A number of years ago, Brad Klein invited me to speak at Golfweek’s Restoration Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia. So as I prepared for my talk, I thought it might be high time to explore just what we all refer to as a “restoration” and how that differs from a “renovation” – a discussion that would […]
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 […]
Now I can recall sitting in a college lecture hall, over 20 years ago, listening to my Landscape Architecture History professor babble on about English gardens, pocket parks, Sir Humphrey Repton, Capability Brown….and a fellow by the name of Jens Jensen. Why do I remember his name? Even then, it struck me that his […]
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! […]
Several weeks ago, I found myself channel surfing (a common, last ditch effort before going to bed). I happened to stumble upon a documentary program on PBS on Machu Pichu. I have always had a strong curiosity and desire to visit this Incan ruin someday, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World…so I […]
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 […]