Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Moonah Links Open Course

If there is a bunker in the middle of the fairway and you can see it from the tee, then you drive straight down the middle into it, have you hit a good shot or are you just not thinking?

Topic: Golf Architecture / Player's dropping options - opinions

Not if you’ve already plonked one in the water and its a stroke round….

Topic: Golf Architecture / Player's dropping options - opinions

Trysil, we dont usually get involved in such things with clubs other than informally offering our opinion when asked. My opinion is that if the club cut the 1 foot deep rough down to fairway height for about 5 metres around the water edge then you wouldnt need a drop zone but could play from the point of entry near the water. You would still be faced with a shot over water, but from only about 70 metres. Alternatively you could have a local rule drop zone but id have it on the left at the start of the fairway so your 3rd shot wasnt over water (golf is supposed to be fun remember!!)

Topic: Golf Architecture / distance from boundary

We usually allow a minimum of 25 metres from the back edge of the green. It depends on a number of other factors as well though such as the slope, length and angle of approach shot, existing tree stands etc. Behind the green is not usually a big problem as not most players poor shot is short, left or right, not long – especially 25 metres long which is really 2 or more clubs (although my pull-hook can go at least that long and 50 metres left). We find the 25 metres gives us the safety buffer though, as well as the opportunity to landscape/screen out the boundary because the last thing you want as a backdrop to a green is a house.

Topic: Golf Architecture / Tee box construction

I take it you are going to use the tee to hit balls at something – like a net I presume? If so I guess youll be hitting irons as well as woods and so will be doing a fair bit of damage. You therefore need to consider how often youre going to use it as this will determine how much area youll need. If the area isnt adequate, youll be hitting off dirt pretty fast. To give you an idea, we try to give par-3’s (they get the most damage) a total tee area of about 350-450 sq metres. You wont need that much of course.

Usually tees are built using imported sand to a depth of about 250-300mm and are flat but tilted slightly for surface drainage. Depending on the location, agi drainage is sometimes installed as well. Probably a tough couch would be the best grass as it will quickly fill the divots in the growing season. Given its backyard turf, can you water it in your area?

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Portsea

It will be after November. Wilksie

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / 420 - 440m

What about a fairway pot around the 220-240m mark, such as the 3rd/4th/5th? (can’t remember) at Hope Island. Not big enough to cut the fairway in half, but with enough room either side or over if you’re gutsy enough.

No, see the key is to have no options, to force the 3 iron from the tee, to force the 210m approach shot for ALL players….. its a great leveler. Must be ball loseable rough or it just wont work.

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / 420 - 440m

Jeffrey, only dead trees.

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / 420 - 440m

G69, Put a fairway break in at about 230m from the back tees then restart the fairway again at 300 so it cant be reached (with lots of ball loseable rough in between), a very tightly bunkered green so no one will go for it in two from 210m out will complete the picture (although water in front of the green and behind would be better). With a length of about 440m it will play as a par 5 and be forever admired as a progressive means of countering the ridiculous length players can drive the ball today….....

Topic: Golf Architecture / Forest Resort Update April 07

QUOTE: craness75 @ May 18 2007, 10:24 AM

Wilksie,

One of my good friends is in the process of purchasing property at the Forest Resort and the land they have purchased is alongside the 16th tee.

I'm wondering if you can describe what the 16th is going to be like ie) strategy, features. From what I can see from the pictures my friends took from the block it is an uphill par 5.

The 16th is a shortish uphill par 5 and is one of the few holes that partially uses an old cleared playline from the original course. The hole plays up through a long valley and there will eventually be some housing set back in behind the trees. Its probably one of the narrowest drives on the course but the fairway shape feeds everything back towards the middle.

There's a bunker at about 230 left side set into a hill before the fairway levels out a bit at about 270. The approach to the green is bunkered left about 50 metres short and the green is bunkered right side with plenty of room left if you can carry the short left bunker with your second. The green sits up quite high and the land falls off sharply back and right. The green is quite long and slopes back to front quite sharply with a tier about half way.

16 will be a very good golf hole but not the best out there. Its a bit of a long climb after several holes played downhill.

If your friend has purchased where Im guessing he has, then they will have an awesome view over this hole and then down to the lake by the 15th, which in the words of one humble man will be "one of the worlds greatest golf holes"!!

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Sydney Country Club

QUOTE: bossofthemoss @ May 6 2007, 12:52 PM

This place has been in the pipelines for years and has been called several different names.

Story I have been told is that the owners were trying to sell house and land packagee to fund the course but has never really got going.

A quality golf course will sell land, not an empty paddock and a flashy plan. Most people want to see something on the ground first.

Topic: Golf Architecture / Hole and course designs

QUOTE: Scottt @ May 3 2007, 04:28 PM

Just hand draw. For the ones I rally get into, I shade them with colour to accent them.

I'll try to post some so Jack and Tithers can tear them apart for me.

Scott,

Please scan and post on here. A mate and I use to do the same thing at school and then play them by flicking a pencil from the tee to a hole on the green which was a small circle. There were penalty shots if you missed the fairway or put it in a bunker. That mate is now a golf course architect as well!!

Id like to see some of your designs and have you explain the strategy.

Topic: Golf Architecture / Forest Resort Update April 07

QUOTE: Jeffrey @ Apr 23 2007, 05:12 PM

Wilksie,

I noticed when I dropped in to the site the other day that there was not much scrub or undergrowth under the trees. Is that a drought thing or a location thing? What are your plans for the transition from the fairways to this area?

Maybe you saw the bit that was the old Creswick golf course where all the undergrowth was cleared many years ago. On the front nine there is a lot of low undergrowth, very ball loseable and the old mine shafts are are added incentive to not venture too far off line. We want the undergrowth to extend out into playlines in critical spots such as where fairway bunkers are or fairway breaks, al a Pine Valley!! It will take time for new plantings and natural regeneration to give this effect.

Topic: Golf Architecture / Forest Resort Update April 07

QUOTE: golfer69 @ Apr 23 2007, 04:41 PM

I suspect most of them will be stuck in the area at ther end of the fairways.

Mainly, and about 4-500m in size.

Topic: Golf Architecture / Forest Resort Update April 07

Been away for a couple of weeks sorry for the delayed response...

I suspect the membership base may change a bit, certainly more Ballarat residents anyway. Hotel guests and residents will be the main users of the course though.

QUOTE: ttitheridge @ Apr 23 2007, 11:04 AM

Ready for it?...
No idea.

Sale of lots thresholds for each set of works? Progress on hotel? Has to be something like that, 'cos they ain't extracting $2k per year from Creswick members.

Topic: Golf Architecture / Forest Resort Update April 07

The construction of the new Forest Resort course at Creswick (near Ballarat) is basically complete (all earthworks anyway). All greens have now been sanded and topsoiling of the fairways is underway. Irrigation installation is also proceeding well. Water, of course is an issue at the moment but wont be once the hotel is up and running and ALL the water from it and the residences is recycled through an on-site treatment plant for reuse on the golf course. But until then we are relying on storage, which is obviously way down (as with everywhere else). Grow-in over the winter will be somewhat reliant on the weather therefore, but it should still be open and playable by about Christmas or so. We have also been in regular contact with Rob Allenby who is the co-designer, and is also very pleased with the waysthe course is looking. Here are a few photos.

In order they are; approach to 2nd green, 3rd hole par 3, hole 7 short par 4 from near tee, behind the 8th green, drive on 9th, 2nd shot 10th, hole 13 par 3, drive on 15th, clubhouse/hotel behind 1st tee..

[attachment=4763:Hole_2.jpg] [attachment=4764:Hole_3.jpg] [attachment=4765:Hole_7.jpg]
[attachment=4766:Hole_8.jpg] [attachment=4767:Hole_9.jpg] [attachment=4768:Hole_10.jpg]
[attachment=4769:Hole_13.jpg] [attachment=4770:Hole_15.jpg] [attachment=4762:1st_tee.jpg]

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Portsea

QUOTE: ttitheridge @ Apr 16 2007, 07:01 PM

James/Wilksie,

They may be minor in comparison with what is possible/practical given the extent of change and what is happening, but not minor in the entire scheme of things.

I have no idea what this sentence means??

One point Id like to make is that in addition to the golf course changes, this project is also a subdivion and clubhouse design project. This is an area where Tony is especially experienced - perhaps far more than others. Although there are building architects appointed, we have been very involved in the planning of the clubhouse and how it relates and works with the golf course, as Tony was with both The Dunes and 13th Beach clubhouses'. We have also redesigned the subdivision to make it work better with the golf course.

Topic: Golf Architecture / Best Bunkerless Hole

QUOTE: Windyhill @ Apr 16 2007, 11:05 PM

The 4th "Coffin Hole" at Flinders is a well known interesting bunkerless short par 4 of 260-270m. I believe Dr Alistair Mackenzie changed it from a par 3 to bring the ravines in play. When the navy are firing the cannons it can make it interesting. How it plays depends on the wind and I've driven it with an old wooden club. I haven't played at Flinders for years, maybe it's now a bit obsolete? I guess these days some ISG 20 handicappers could easily lob a hybrid on in one

In still conditions for a good player its a 4 iron lay-up and pitch to a green where you really want to be short of the hole as it slopes steeply from back to front. The back of the green is very artificially built up and drops off sharply. Over the back is dead, especially now that the super has grown rough around the collar meaning you cant putt it up and on now but have to pull out lobb wedge - its almost an impossible shot for a high handicapper. They have also grown rough out from the left cliff edge, I think to push play right to reduce lost ball delays in what is a hazard.

90% of the time its into the wind though or a bit left to right off the ocean. In strong wind its driver, punch 8 iron. I think the hole could be better if the green was rebuilt further left and shaped to reward play close to the ravine on the left. Leave the right as the bail out. Here is a google image of it showing the 'coffins' to drive over and short of the green. Theres a great tee position near the surfers carpark on the clifftop another 40 metres further back too!!

This image also shows how the 3rd fairway (210 metre par 3) has been cut down to a slither. Why?

[attachment=4738:Flinders_4th.jpg]

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Portsea

QUOTE: Salacious Crumb @ Apr 13 2007, 03:31 PM

James/Wilksie, help me out. This is an educated guess based on what I've been told and looking at the planning scheme. Referring to the overhead, the club will be selling off land roughly equating to the box at the top. On the now reduced site, they will be building a road in somewhere around the black line to a new clubhouse and carpark in the middle of the course. And this will only result in minor changes? I guess the club knows what it is doing.

Has there ever been a club that has sold part of their land and not regretted it? And it isn't like they aren't pressed for space already. Or they will be ever likely to buy it back.

Good guess but not quite right. It isnt that much land and the driveway wont slice through the course as youve shown. I guess it depends on your definition of 'minor' too. Its all being worked through at present so its too early to go into any detail here, except to say that minimising disturbance to the course is a priority.

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Portsea

QUOTE: dollar @ Apr 12 2007, 03:12 PM

Gooday Fellas

I am heading down to the mornington peninsula for the first time with bunch of mates (we are from nsw) November this year.
Portsea was certainly one of the courses we intended to play.
Does anyone know any details when this work may commence or finish ?
Any details would be appreciated.

Thanks Dollar

No work will be starting for quite some time. Although Planning approval is in place for a subdivision of about 20 Lots,we are recommending the arrangement of the Lots be adusted slightly to achieve a better outcome for the golf course. Planning approval is also required for the new clubhouse and entry location. Nothing until next year I would imagine.

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Augusta National

QUOTE: cunninga @ Mar 27 2007, 04:47 PM

Maybe, but much cheaper to get everyone to buy new javelins that rebuild stadiums. And it was never a huge playing sport.

Actually who really cares...

think (hope!) you missed the sarcasm there cunninga..

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Portsea

That would be site planning and design Moe, there is a separate Town Planning consultant.

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Portsea

QUOTE: John J Jones @ Mar 23 2007, 02:35 PM

Wilksie,

Any truth to the rumour you blokes have picked up the gig to do the changes at Portsea?

JJ

We're mainly helping the Club with planning issues related to a small subdivision and new clubhouse. There will be some minor changes to the golf course required as well.

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Portsea

QUOTE: Moe @ Mar 23 2007, 12:57 PM

Wilksie,

Are you a member at Portsea?

No

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Portsea

QUOTE: Jack @ Mar 23 2007, 11:32 AM

I have a game lined up at Portsea soon. I havent been there for nearly 3 years, but have always enjoyed the challenge and playing conditions. Has enyone been there of late? How is it holding up in the drought?

Jack.

Jack,

We've been getting down there a fair bit lately... Its looking a bit dry but there's still a good turf cover and the lies you'll get will be fine. The greens look ok as well although I havnt played the course in a while. Enjoy your game.

Wilksie