Course Architecture - Colt vs Braid vs Mackenzie

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evemccc

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I am fairly interested in golf course design, specifically in the ‘golden age’ of top echelon courses

Faldo has stated he’s a “fan of Harry Colt” and others talk about their favourite course designer, I don’t know much apart from a few superficial pieces of info I’ve gleaned — Mackenzie had undulating greens, Colt often started his courses easing golfers in with an easy par 4 and Braid was the ultimate course revisionist, who would include his name on the most challenging hole on each of his courses

Are there notable characteristics or tell-tale signs that signify a Braid, Colt or Mackenzie course that stand out - and could a well-travelled and well-golfed person easily deduce who had designed a particular course, based on stereotypical features?
 
The standout on Mackenzie courses, to me, was that you often need to clear a patch of rough off the tee before reaching the fairway. Not just a bit of uncut grass but some serious rubbish. He clearly didn't like someone thinning a tee shot and getting away with it ?.

I'm sure there are many, more subtle, design techniques but that was the one that stood out to me. It doesn’t half make you concentrate.
 
MacKenzie was among the first to offer different ways of playing a hole, a "safe" route that would perhaps yield a bogey or a line needing a greater carry or more accuracy that would offer a lower score to the player who could take it on and succeeded in hitting the shot.
He was also one of the pioneers of putting bunkers to the side of the fairway rather than the boring cross-bunker that had been de-rigueur before.

Good summary here.
https://www.countrylife.co.uk/out-a...ow-country-life-changed-the-face-of-golf-1668
 
I play a Harry Colt course every now and then (crews hill). I really like it, but the opening hole is definitely not straightforward. It's a long par 4 with OB all down the left and an adverse camber on the fairway as it gently curves away. I don't think I've ever parred it!
Our nearest Mackenzie (Hadley wood) is also very enjoyable, but some of the greens are mental and it always ruins my putting for a week...
 
Colt liked raised greens, cross fairway bunkers and a left to right dogleg. Agree with earlier comment that he liked to ease golfers into the round.
 
If all the Par 3s are variable and challenging, then chances are it's a Colt courses.
If the 1st is a 'simple' Par 4 with bunkers either side of the fairway at about Driver length and likewise at front of green, opt for Braid
If the greens have a variety of levels/teirs and slopes, then opt for MacKenzie.
Huge generalisation, but fits with what I've seen on quite a few that I've played/seen (more by Braid and Colt than MacKenzie - though his only NZ one, designed while on a fishing trip, has been one of them)
 
Crow said:
MacKenzie was among the first to offer different ways of playing a hole, a "safe" route that would perhaps yield a bogey or a line needing a greater carry or more accuracy that would offer a lower score to the player who could take it on and succeeded in hitting the shot.
He was also one of the pioneers of putting bunkers to the side of the fairway rather than the boring cross-bunker that had been de-rigueur before.

Good summary here.
https://www.countrylife.co.uk/out-a...ow-country-life-changed-the-face-of-golf-1668
Click to expand...

Why do you think cross-bunkers are boring? I like them..and courses that make you think about your clubbing and whether to lay-up or take it on
 
pendodave said:
I play a Harry Colt course every now and then (crews hill). I really like it, but the opening hole is definitely not straightforward. It's a long par 4 with OB all down the left and an adverse camber on the fairway as it gently curves away. I don't think I've ever parred it!
Our nearest Mackenzie (Hadley wood) is also very enjoyable, but some of the greens are mental and it always ruins my putting for a week...
Click to expand...

Old Fold Manor is an excellent example of classic Colt features in your vicinity.

Eases you in with a gentle par 4. Builds to a crescendo with two long and tough par 4s to finish.
Balance of LtoR and RtoL doglegs.
Balance of greens sloping back to front, front to back etc.
A drive that flirts with danger (eg water or trees) rewards you with a better line into the green. A tee shot to the safe side leaves a more tricky approach (eg over bunkers).
Colt style bunkers with raised faces built up to make them more visible.
 
Lord Tyrion said:
The standout on Mackenzie courses, to me, was that you often need to clear a patch of rough off the tee before reaching the fairway. Not just a bit of uncut grass but some serious rubbish. He clearly didn't like someone thinning a tee shot and getting away with it ?.

I'm sure there are many, more subtle, design techniques but that was the one that stood out to me. It doesn’t half make you concentrate.
Click to expand...

This doesn’t hold true for Augusta!
 
When I think of MacKenzie I think of elevated greens with false fronts, run offs, plateaux and tricky slopes. I also think of big bold bunkering in imaginative shapes. Bunkers are usually built into the side of slopes to make them look more natural.
 
Blairgowrie Rosemount Course was designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie, the renowned architect of the Augusta National course, and later extended by James Braid, Rosemount is regarded as one of Scotland's top inland courses and is a regular feature in the UK's Top 100 rankings. I'm not sure if a well-travelled or well-golfed person could easily deduce who had designed it, based on it's features?
 
sunshine said:
Old Fold Manor is an excellent example of classic Colt features in your vicinity.

Eases you in with a gentle par 4. Builds to a crescendo with two long and tough par 4s to finish.
Balance of LtoR and RtoL doglegs.
Balance of greens sloping back to front, front to back etc.
A drive that flirts with danger (eg water or trees) rewards you with a better line into the green. A tee shot to the safe side leaves a more tricky approach (eg over bunkers).
Colt style bunkers with raised faces built up to make them more visible.
Click to expand...
Been a while since I've played it, but have done so quite a bit. Always seemed that the layout was slightly marred by the course condition. Often used for Open Qualification, for which it is immaculately - and evilly - prepared. Disclaimer....I'm a fan of getting beaten up by the course across the road.
 
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