Course Length.

[Imurg]

My place is just over 6000 yards and has a good mix. Several par 4's that you need a driver on to reach in 2, some par 5's that can be rachable in 2, and some par 4's that vary between iron/hybrid/fairway off the tee then 5,6,7 or 8 iron to the green. Several ways to play some holes too - keeps it interesting.

 

[Macster]

Interesting that my own course @ 6000yds is about same as alot of other folks. Having only 1 Par 5, and 5 Par3's, and some brutally long Par4's, its no wonder we earn our score here.

 

[GasMan]

I mentioned the yeardage in the other thread. My concern is there are just too many short par 4's in the 280 to 340 yards range, so its drive wedge, drive 9 etc. Even though its harder I prefer some (not all) second shots to require 4,5,6, irons etc.
I think when people on here bangs on about the 'great' courses generally they are great because they're difficult and therefore more memorable, dont they?

There is a great sense of acheivement in hitting a 5 iron close, there isn't much of a sense of achievement in hitting a wedge close...that's all I meant really.

So on a dry summer's day it's drive, putt, 3 wood putt, 2I hybrid putt? I know on our course 6340y off the whites during the back end of this summer a couple of the 360y slightly uphill par 4s became driveable especially after the group on the next tee shout at you it's through the back whilst you're looking in the semi 40-50y short of the green!

 

[KeefG]

I mentioned the yeardage in the other thread. My concern is there are just too many short par 4's in the 280 to 340 yards range, so its drive wedge, drive 9 etc. Even though its harder I prefer some (not all) second shots to require 4,5,6, irons etc.
I think when people on here bangs on about the 'great' courses generally they are great because they're difficult and therefore more memorable, dont they?

There is a great sense of acheivement in hitting a 5 iron close, there isn't much of a sense of achievement in hitting a wedge close...that's all I meant really.

Isn't that what course management is all about though? I mean i'd much rather have a nice full swing with a 5I/6I/7I or the like rather than a wedge etc, which means I do on shorter holes, tend to use an iron off the tee to give me a nice "proper" iron shot for my approach.

I know what you mean though, modern technology is enabling us all to hit the ball a lot further than previous generations have been able to, making a lot of courses these days drive/wedge for even high handicappers.

 

[backwoodsman]

6061 off the whites.

But it's about accuracy not length. On many holes, you can boom a long drive, but if you're not on the right line for your second, you'll not get to the green regardless of whether you're hitting a wedge or a 5i.

Good course design? Then length not an issue ...

 

[RGDave]

I know what you mean though, modern technology is enabling us all to hit the ball a lot further than previous generations have been able to, making a lot of courses these days drive/wedge for even high handicappers.

Us ALL seems a bit of an overstatement. For all the talk of technology, I don't see much difference between golf played by normal guys today and 15 years ago. I don't know what kind of high handicap'rs you play with, but distance seems to have little impact on the reality of making a score. OK, so IF you get a good drive away, you're probably 20 yards closer now, but that's a wasted drive if you miss the green.
I don't see mid-high h'cap players making any better scores than 15 years ago....seriously, I don't. As for courses requiring just driver/wedge.....I think some courses must be far too easy.....try that around mine and blasting your way to short par 4s ain't gonna happen....

I hit (drive) the ball 10-20 yards further these days with the same old swing.....hardly makes a jot of difference.