Jeff4i mentioned something about a first hole at 498 yards with a tight fairway being a poor course design. I agree, first holes should not hold up the speed of play and promote a discouraging score for the majority of players. I have a few more suggestions of what I think are poor design choices.
1. Sand traps which are not visually apparent, especially off the tee. Hidden traps with no visible sand lip are like hidden pot bunkers in the middle of fairways... I don't like them.
2. Greens that have pin placement locations which require chip or flop shots to get down in two. These are greens where you can hit the green but have no way to putt to within a decent two putt distance no matter your putting skill.
3. Holes which offer no alternative way to be played for weaker players. I don't mind a required 200+ yard carry, but if tees are not provided for shorter hitters, or a route around the hazard with an extra shot option, many weaker players would be unable to play them.
4. Holes that require multiple and sequential same club shots... such as a par five best played with 3 five irons. A better design would be one in which different clubs would be an option. In general, I don't like par fours or fives which require the tee shot to be an iron, but there are lots of them.
I realize some of these course design suggestions are critical of a few of the best courses and holes in golf. Any of you guys play Pine Valley? Power golf is not an advantage on this great track. Compared to a place like Augusta National or PGA West (very good risk/reward courses) Pine Valley is more like brain surgery. But it is still one of the greatest courses ever.
I could list many more ideas... but maybe you guys can add your own "dislikes." I like risk/reward designs. If you can crush it and sneak it between two traps on a par five (or cut a little dog leg,) you should be given the chance to hit a 250 (maybe even 280) yard shot to hit a par five in two. A safe 3-wood, short of the narrow optimum landing area, followed by a good lay up to 100 to 120 yards, and then a good wedge should allow the safer player with skill to birdie with a one putt. I like power golf, but respect skilled short games -- and I think courses should set up for both types of players. I don't even mind 500+ yard par fours, just don't force me to hit a 3 wood off the tee.
1. Sand traps which are not visually apparent, especially off the tee. Hidden traps with no visible sand lip are like hidden pot bunkers in the middle of fairways... I don't like them.
2. Greens that have pin placement locations which require chip or flop shots to get down in two. These are greens where you can hit the green but have no way to putt to within a decent two putt distance no matter your putting skill.
3. Holes which offer no alternative way to be played for weaker players. I don't mind a required 200+ yard carry, but if tees are not provided for shorter hitters, or a route around the hazard with an extra shot option, many weaker players would be unable to play them.
4. Holes that require multiple and sequential same club shots... such as a par five best played with 3 five irons. A better design would be one in which different clubs would be an option. In general, I don't like par fours or fives which require the tee shot to be an iron, but there are lots of them.
I realize some of these course design suggestions are critical of a few of the best courses and holes in golf. Any of you guys play Pine Valley? Power golf is not an advantage on this great track. Compared to a place like Augusta National or PGA West (very good risk/reward courses) Pine Valley is more like brain surgery. But it is still one of the greatest courses ever.
I could list many more ideas... but maybe you guys can add your own "dislikes." I like risk/reward designs. If you can crush it and sneak it between two traps on a par five (or cut a little dog leg,) you should be given the chance to hit a 250 (maybe even 280) yard shot to hit a par five in two. A safe 3-wood, short of the narrow optimum landing area, followed by a good lay up to 100 to 120 yards, and then a good wedge should allow the safer player with skill to birdie with a one putt. I like power golf, but respect skilled short games -- and I think courses should set up for both types of players. I don't even mind 500+ yard par fours, just don't force me to hit a 3 wood off the tee.