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Shack Takes A Hack

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In the recent edition of GolfWorld (3/17/14), Geoff Shackelford introduces the notion it’s time for change in golf design.  Moving forward he states innovative ideas are needed from today’s architect’s to offer new future experiences.  While new thinking is not necessarily a bad thing, many players might ask what can be done today that hasn’t already been done?

I’m not clear on what Mr. Shackelford is proposing.  From the heroic, penal, strategic, Dye-abolical, minimalist, and what Shackelford has described as his additions to the design curriculum — freeway and framing fancies, I don’t know where else one could go.  Perhaps a new architect will burst on the scene and be able to fold all of these ideas together in three hole segments creating the ultimate eighteen hole canvas.  I agree with his observation citing Mark Twain’s words that there is no such thing as a new idea.  If that is indeed the case, doesn’t that statement indict his premise?

I believe it is up to individual players to express their intentions on the type of architecture they think is needed.  Frankly, I’m old school and am partial to a Merion, Shoreacres, Milwaukee, or Inverness.  Not overly long challenges but layouts requiring strong iron play draped in parkland settings.  However I also enjoy the venues I’ve visited in Scotland and Ireland due to the starkness of the routings and the firm quality of the turf.  The demands of Pete Dye’s portfolio make me often scratch my head but they seem to serve the purpose of providing an ego-check to players who think “they’ve got it”.  If there is one enduring aspect of golf course architecture, it is variety.  It is a pleasure to pursue.  We will always have it regardless of what the future brings.

Golf course design is influenced by several factors — land, climate, ownership, and customer base being just a few.  What might be introduced in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey hardly works in the Coachella Valley.  Yes, a short par four in these two locales may have drastically different appearances but they are still short par fours.  The features may differ: pot bunkers as opposed to shallow seas of sand.  We only have two other selections to work with — par threes and par fives.  What would be the best new design thought to enhance these holes?  Maybe that’s the gist of Shackelford’s assertion.  Yet I think in many ways his inquiry has been already answered (by Twain).

Rather than get loaded down with “architect-speak” attributes most don’t understand, I’ll simply offer my concept of what makes a truly wonderful course design for players — one that is enjoyable to play day in and day out.  I think most would agree.  It’s not about some artificial obstacle disguised as a natural landform.  It’s not about introducing new features.  The focus should be on heightening the playing experience.  Great design is in the eye of the beholder no matter what era it evolved from.  In the end isn’t that all that matters?

Don’t Reed Into It

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When Patrick read retrieved his bogey putt from the 72nd hole of last weekend’s Cadillac Championship at Doral, excuse me, Trump National Doral, he became the youngest winner of a World Golf Championship event.  It marked his third win since last August and vaulted him to third in the 2014 FedEx Cup standings.  Add the fact he and his young wife are expecting their first child and this fairy tale appears to be headed towards a bright future.

Many golf fans wondered who this guy was, where he had come from and how could he win a big event in such a short career.  To satisfy everyone’s curiosity Reed seized the opportunity during his post round interview on the 18th green to tell viewers who he was and why he won.

The young man has worked hard and his rocketeer rise to stardom is unparalleled in a sport with Spieth’s, McIlroy’s and Bubba’s garnering the most attention.  But apparently young Mr. Reed’s comments on how well he was playing and his recent success on tour rubbed a few people the wrong way.  C’mon folks, time to move on and not REED anything into it.

Frankly I want to see a player at the top of his game honestly express how he perceives his playing field.  A week ago the talk of Jimmy Walker’s recent accomplishments were well documented and he too has had a wonderful season. He might not tell observers in the same manner Patrick Reed did on Sunday and that’s fine.  Each player has his own style on the course and behind the mic.

Reed’s insightful evaluation of his past history, his current game, and his level of confidence is much more than we would have gotten from a young Tiger Woods.  It wasn’t guarded, restrained or calculating.  It was Patrick Reed front and center. That’s what people want to see rather than some conjured facade of a paranoid PGA Tour Player.

Congratulations to Mr. Reed on his achievements so far in a short career.  Will he be able to keep it up?  Time will tell.  As long as he knows who he is and is willing to tell folks how he feels I imagine he might have what it takes to make a mark in this game.  Being honest with yourself and others is usually a good place to start when your climbing the fairways of success.

 

 

Getting Off Track

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As technology continues to influence the modern game, more and more “casual” players are sticking their nose into performance numbers that only apply to tour professionals.  It’s not their fault. It’s the manufacturers.

If you read today’s golf equipment ads the only thing left to hype is distance. TaylorMade calls their new SLDR driver “The Spectacular Distance Machine”. Callaway’s new hybrids are “ridonkulong”. Ping has a new Karsten iron they simply describe as “a distance iron”.  Even Titleist claims “longer flight” with their lineup of AP irons.  Yes, distance is the golf junkie’s “buzz”.

With the invention of the Trackman swing analyzer, tour pros are analyzing every aspect of their swings relating to launch angles, ball speed, and ball spin.  Does it make a difference?  It sure does. By altering equipment and approach angles players can see a significant difference in distance and ball flight.  From now on nothing in the golf swing is hidden.  Every action producing a result can be captured.

The question is should casual players get caught up in the Trackman phenomena as they seek to improve their games?  Distance is addictive.  But players like to be “In The Know” even if they lack sufficient talent.  You’ve seen them.  They “dress” 70; “talk” 80; and shoot 90.  They also want to talk “Tour” like Tiger and Phil:

“It was chilly one out there today.  I put a double-snowman on the board.  Probably lost a lil’ ball speed as my attack angle was waaaay off.  Need to get on the Trackman and work my numbers, man.  Gotta get those yards back.”

I was talking with my good friend Ron Beck the other day.  Mr. Beck is the Director of Golf for Fox Golf Properties in New England.  He is also an exceptional teacher of the game.  Recently he visited Callaway’s production facility in Carlsbad.

“I jumped on the Trackman and hit a few shots after traveling cross-country,” Beck explained.  “I found out I was working across the ball slightly.  Naturally when we went out to play the next day all I was focusing on in the beginning of the round was getting my swing back on track.  It drove crazy.”

This is a preview of what’s coming.  Imagine this PGA Professional experiencing a type of “paralysis by Trackman analysis”?  Now, take it a step further and imagine amateurs who play twice a week focusing on numbers disseminated from a $25,000 computer.  As Mr. Beck alluded to later during our conversation, “golfers are going to think they’re broken”.

As this type of thinking advances it could lead to players “taking their eye off the ball” (ignoring the playing aspects of the game) and instead focusing only on achieving “perfect” numbers.  Those numbers aren’t the ones in the little boxes on scorecards.  They come on a printout.

Technology has improved many facets of modern life.  It’s hard to navigate through our world without it.  In this case I believe the Trackman is going to spoil many attributes casual players enjoy within their games. There are infinite ways to produce numbers on a scorecard, many which are far from perfect.  However for tour players, those numbers adding up to a paycheck need to be scrutinized by a computer to chase perfection.  It is their livelihood.  They comprise a very small fraction of the golfing public.  It’s best to let them talk “Tour and Trackman” while the rest of us continue to enjoy the other wonderful qualities of the game and, as Mr. Palmer puts it — “swing your swing”.

 

Masters Wish List 2014

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Between now and the second week of April every golf writer on God’s green earth will submit pieces on an infinite number of topics regarding the year’s first major.  I figured I’d try to get my effort done early in order to avoid the rush.

I can’t think of a more anticipated spring sporting event than this Masters.  The Polar Vortex has Midwest fans anxiously awaiting any sign of spring even it it only comes by way of their flat screens. Four tournament days blessed with vibrant magnolias, azaleas, and for privileged patrons, the default pimento cheese sandwich.  Even if you aren’t a golf fan, it’s likely you’ll sneak a peek at the emerald backdrop traversed by brightly attired players. They always break out their “fresh” for Augusta.

For those who haven’t had the pleasure of walking the grounds of “The National” on a sun-splashed April afternoon, it is a bucket list prerequisite.  There is simply nothing else like it.  On the property time seems to slow to a relaxed pace allowing patrons to visit, stroll, grab some nourishment and watch a few shots. The manual scoreboards and occasional roars allow everyone to know what is happening inside the ropes.  It is an idyllic setting for golf’s best major championship.

In order to be brash, I assembled my “Wish List” for Masters 2014.   This year I would like to see the following:

First, four days of dry weather to get the venue screamin’ fast.  With spring there is always the potential for storms but with the frigid weather pattern north of the Mason-Dixon line this year maybe the rains will hold off.  Just so it doesn’t snow.

Secondly, build a new viewing area down by Raes Creek on #12.  Allow a sliver of patrons to feed down about twenty yards short of Raes Creek dividing the twelfth and thirteenth fairways.  Add contoured mounds to the area so putts on the twelfth green can be viewed, second shots from eleven seen and tee shots from thirteen tee followed.  The spot might only accommodate a few hundred but it would offer a new vantage point on Amen Corner and get patrons closer to the action.

Third, thin the trees on the right side of eleven to allow patrons better viewing angles.  Ever since those trees were added the hole only serves as a conduit to Amen Corner.  It is a spectacular par four and sadly has been take away as a viewing location for patrons.

Fourth, and this has probably taken place already, replace Ike’s tree.  There’s nothing that can’t be done at “The National”.

Finally, abandon the traditional Sunday hole placements.  Let’s see it back on eighteen, right on sixteen (1975), front on eight, use your imagination for the rest.  Get the players out of their comfort zone a bit, especially if it firms up.

I’m sure the only chance I have for realization of my “five-pak’ is the Eisenhower Tree.  Either way, as I sit here on an evening when temps will dip to below zero, whatever happens at Augusta this year will be very much worth the wait.  I can’t wait to see the tournament unfold.

 

 

 

 

I’ll Bid No Trump

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Fifteenth century Scots began whacking a ball across fields in an effort to deposit it into a hole in the ground and thus golf was created.  The game has evolved over time with equipment upgrades and design strategy to challenge modern day players.  Its traditions are timeless.  Those who have contributed to the game are remembered.  Their names and accomplishments are often referenced in conversations among players.

Currently Donald Trump is attempting to take a seat next to golf’s greatest benefactors.  Everyone knows “The Donald”.  He’s about a subtle as an F-5 tornado.  Loud, wealthy and known for bad hair, Trump is hell bent on making his mark in the game.  Only time will tell if he qualifies to share a spot with Joe Jemsek, Larry Packard, or other developers who have brought golf to the masses rather than only the privileged few.  It’s tough to predict if Trump’s collection of ulra-courses will rival the appeal of a Cog Hill or one of the 250 layouts Packard designed.  Fortunately one thing is certain – he won’t be making this decision; golfers present and future will.

I’ve never met Mr. Trump.  Our paths in life run parallel.  It is doubtful they’ll intersect.  Yet I’ve been around the game for fifty-plus years.  I enjoy studying its history and respect its traditions.  I’ve met and worked with influential people who have quietly made their mark in golf.  These individuals understand they are not bigger than the game regardless of how many properties they’ve developed, how many jets they own or how much hair they have on their head.  Golf is the main act.  It always will be.  They are the quiet contributors that let their works speak for themselves.

Next week the PGA Tour will engage in its second World Golf Championship in three weeks.  It is being played at Doral, a fixture  on the PGA schedule.  However this time it will be different.  Doral is now “Trump National Doral” after “The Donald” bought the property, upgrading the lodging facilities and golf courses.  You can bet you’ll see plenty of the owner on television during the week pumping up a worn out resort he reclaimed as well as his other golf properties in the Trump portfolio.

If you like extravagance, waterfalls, gold-plated faucets in golf course restrooms, inflated greens fees and other amenities suited for golf royalty, Trump golf properties might be your cup of tea.  But if you’re one who enjoys golf on it’s own regardless if you’re being served a cold beer in a paper cup or a silver-handled stein, maybe The Donald’s favorite venues won’t garner that much interest among golf’s masses.

Nonetheless, it is golf and after a significant lag in facility development in the US, perhaps Trump’s efforts are noteworthy.  However the need to continue promoting the game should be focused on creating opportunities for the masses.  Either way we’ll hear plenty about the glory of Trump’s golf empire next week.  My only hope is Mr. Trump’s irrational exuberance doesn’t detract from the time honored traditions of the game that has been around longer than he has.