THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF GOLF COURSES

Most keen golfers follow the exploits of the star players on TV as they tackle increasingly long golf courses. Courses measuring in excess of 7,000 yards now seem to be the norm on the European Tour, which is fair enough for the top pros, most of whom can wallop their drives well over 300 yards.  Those responsible for setting up courses for the Majors seem to feel an obligation to stretch the courses even more, with 7,500 yards being quite common.  Thus the emphasis is on brute strength, rather than skill and the ability to plot a way round the golf course.

Yet a good golf course designer should be able to produce a course of no more than 6,500 yards, which could challenge the top pros and club golfers alike, by producing more risk or reward par fours, which offer the long hitters the opportunity to hit the green from the tee, but with severe penalties for a shot which is less than perfect. A perfect example locally is Calanova’s 4th hole, which measures 342 yards taking the dog-leg route, but is only about 280 yards as the crow flies. The green is small and well protected with a water hazard on the right and bunkers on the left.  Miss the green from the tee and a bogey is far more likely than a birdie.  Old fashioned bunkers, instead of American style sand traps would force golfers of all abilities to think their way round the course. An added bonus would be that shorter golf courses would cost less to construct and maintain.  After all, what is the point of a 7,000 yard “Championship” course which will be played by members and tourists, but will rarely, if ever, stage a championship?

Tags: European Tour, Golf Courses, Golfers