Do courses have a yearly plan

[Tashyboy]

Just reading Begsys topic re him not renewing his membership because the course is getting worse, and it got me thinking.
The course I play at was runner up in the Golfmark competition this year and the last couple of years that I have been a member at Norwood there has been big improvements both on and off the course. So much so it's got me and my playing partners thinking where will they improve next.
Do all clubs have committees in relation to how they will improve there course, are some happy to just muddle along, are you happy with yours.

 

[fundy]

We have a plan, albeit its from the course owners not the committee as such.

There are multiple copies in the clubhouse explaining what work is coming up, both this year and well into next. We have some new tees a couple of green modifications some new bunkers etc. Dont 100% agree with a couple of the changes but good to see they are continually trying to improve the course

 

[guest100718]

My previous clubs plan appeared to be let the course become a mess ans kill all the greens...!

 

[AmandaJR]

Well we have a course committee...

We received communication about the changes to our 3rd hole which sound like a huge improvement to what I feel is our most poorly designed hole. Way too often 2 good shots result in a ball running off a green which runs away and down into rough and then a hazard. The changes will mean a good tee shot can be played into the green from an angle which removes this risk.

So that all sounds good but then find what we weren't told about was a number of bunkers that are being filled in - rumour has it to reduce maintenance work and that a + golfer didn't like one of them! Rumours because in the communications about the changes to the 3rd there was no mention of the other work. Two of the said bunkers being filled in are imho two of the most strategically placed ones on the course and plenty of others which are not could have taken their place.

So right now I haven't a clue who makes such decisions, with whom they are debated and who decides to tell the membership and how much they tell us!

 

[pokerjoke]

I play at a muni and I can safely say they have no plan and no idea.
Yesterday the greens were good but the rest of the course looked like it had been
hit by a tornado.
The green keeper also told me a couple of weeks ago the bunkers were going to have
a cheaper sand in them to save costs I suppose.
On the first hole yesterday myself and one of my playing partners went in one.
He took 4 to get out and I took 3,there were lots of stones amongst the sand and the
plastic membrane was coming through.
I suppose you get what you pay for but its shocking imo.

 

[Rooter]

ours does and it is shared with all members and posted on our website, I have been emailed this years plan, which to be fair is way more in depth than the one currently on our website, but for an example, here is last years:

http://www.newburygolf.co.uk/sites/default/files/nc_2013_course_strategic_review.pdf

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Well we have a course committee...

We received communication about the changes to our 3rd hole which sound like a huge improvement to what I feel is our most poorly designed hole. Way too often 2 good shots result in a ball running off a green which runs away and down into rough and then a hazard. The changes will mean a good tee shot can be played into the green from an angle which removes this risk.

So that all sounds good but then find what we weren't told about was a number of bunkers that are being filled in - rumour has it to reduce maintenance work and that a + golfer didn't like one of them! Rumours because in the communications about the changes to the 3rd there was no mention of the other work. Two of the said bunkers being filled in are imho two of the most strategically placed ones on the course and plenty of others which are not could have taken their place.

So right now I haven't a clue who makes such decisions, with whom they are debated and who decides to tell the membership and how much they tell us!

We're having a few bunkers filled in this winter. I had reservations but on reflection maybe they are right. One being removed runs right across the back of a 180yd par 3. How many times have I been in it off the tee? - maybe twice in 10yrs. But I've been in it a lot more times thinning a bunker shot out of a front bunker. I can't imagine many Cat 1 or better players ever being in it. So what is it's point? Main purpose at moment seems to be to punish a hopeless thinned shot out of another bunker or an overhit 2nd following a complete fluff off the tee? That doesn't sound like a good rationale for the bunker - most players who end up in it will already be suffering likelihood of a double bogey - so remove it.

 

[AmandaJR]

We're having a few bunkers filled in this winter. I had reservations but on reflection maybe they are right. One being removed runs right across the back of a 180yd par 3. How many times have I been in it off the tee? - maybe twice in 10yrs. But I've been in it a lot more times thinning a bunker shot out of a front bunker. I can't imagine many Cat 1 or better players ever being in it. So what is it's point? Main purpose at moment seems to be to punish a hopeless thinned shot out of another bunker or an overhit 2nd following a complete fluff off the tee? That doesn't sound like a good rationale for the bunker - most players who end up in it will already be suffering likelihood of a double bogey - so remove it.

Agreed. The two I think serve a purpose are on our 2nd and 13th. The 2nd is overall an easy hole (SI15 I think) and has 4 "fairway" bunkers. The one being filled in is by far the one that catches the most tee shots. I can easily clear it but many of our females can't so have to play to the right of it and risk the trees if they get it wrong. Off the whites it is also a decent carry for the men so seems to serve a purpose to add some degree of challenge to the hole. There is another bunker on the left which I've only ever hit with a dodgy hook that somehow missed the trees, so not sure what purpose that really has. The two on the far side are reachable by longer hitters - past those is OOB which focusses the mind more than the bunkers...

The 13th is a tough hole (SI4 for men and SI2 for women). Being in position off the tee is crucial as too far can mean a humungous tree protects much of the green from approach shots - plus there is a river and ditch to negotiate. Hit the tree and likely to be in the river or ditch. Bail out shot is to the left and there is a greenside bunker ready to catch you if you overcook that - I think it's a really good hole and the bunker part of its difficulty and definitely in play...

For me both bunkers add difficulty to the holes but in a "fair" way and removing them dumbs the holes down.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Agreed. The two I think serve a purpose are on our 2nd and 13th. The 2nd is overall an easy hole (SI15 I think) and has 4 "fairway" bunkers. The one being filled in is by far the one that catches the most tee shots. I can easily clear it but many of our females can't so have to play to the right of it and risk the trees if they get it wrong. Off the whites it is also a decent carry for the men so seems to serve a purpose to add some degree of challenge to the hole. There is another bunker on the left which I've only ever hit with a dodgy hook that somehow missed the trees, so not sure what purpose that really has. The two on the far side are reachable by longer hitters - past those is OOB which focusses the mind more than the bunkers...

The 13th is a tough hole (SI4 for men and SI2 for women). Being in position off the tee is crucial as too far can mean a humungous tree protects much of the green from approach shots - plus there is a river and ditch to negotiate. Hit the tree and likely to be in the river or ditch. Bail out shot is to the left and there is a greenside bunker ready to catch you if you overcook that - I think it's a really good hole and the bunker part of its difficulty and definitely in play...

For me both bunkers add difficulty to the holes but in a "fair" way and removing them dumbs the holes down.

We ares also taking out a bunker from the side of a green as it is only there to protect the green (driveable short dogleg par4) - trees the innerside of the dogleg are now mature and high enough to provide that protection. The bunker is redundant as the rationale is now obsolete. I have only see a handful of folk in the bunker in my 10+ yrs. So need to look at where course design elements had a specific defensive design rationale - now superseded by what nature has put in place or what technology now provides (distance and accuracy consistency)

 

[richart]

We ares also taking out a bunker from the side of a green as it is only there to protect the green (driveable short dogleg par4) - trees the innerside of the dogleg are now mature and high enough to provide that protection. The bunker is redundant as the rationale is now obsolete. I have only see a handful of folk in the bunker in my 10+ yrs. So need to look at where course design elements had a specific defensive design rationale - now superseded by what nature has put in place or what technology now provides (distance and accuracy consistency)

Get rid of the two fairway ones on the 4th. Can't understand those, you can't see them off the tee, so difficult to avoid, and in the summer when it is dry it is very hard to play left of them without running into the rough and trees. Whenever I play the hole, I go for the green now.:thup: When I joined Farnham in 1979 the trees were so small on the right you could hit a long iron and run it onto the green.

Have you ever been in the new bunker on the left on 2 ? I quite like the bunker on the back of 3 if that is the one you are talking about. With an elevated tee the green looks good totally surrounded by bunkers. Like an island amongst sand. Like you not been in it many times off the tee, but it has saved some of my thinned second shots. personally would prefer to be in that bunker than thirty yards through the back.

I might have a biased view, but I did prefer the set up of the course back in the 70's/80's. I left when all the trees came down on 6,7,8 and 9 as it just got a bit too open, and with my wild driving a bit too dangerous.

One of the things I love about Blackmoor, is apart from the 2nd and 3rd hole, the course is basically the same one Harry Colt designed. Any small changes we make, we always get the Colt Foundation in to advise on. 2nd and 3rd were changed to allow the Club to sell some land for houses, and with that money we were able to buy the course, rather than rent it off Lord Selbourne, and so hopefully secure its future.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Get rid of the two fairway ones on the 4th. Can't understand those, you can't see them off the tee, so difficult to avoid, and in the summer when it is dry it is very hard to play left of them without running into the rough and trees.

I play a 7i or 6i max to avoid that problem. Play shot into wide open fairway LHS short of the trees and rough and 52 oe wedge in. I have no issues with them and they are not in current winter plan.

Have you ever been in the new bunker on the left on 2 ?

Have been in and can get there off back tees with a good one. Certainly in play off yellows.

I quite like the bunker on the back of 3 if that is the one you are talking about. With an elevated tee the green looks good totally surrounded by bunkers. Like an island amongst sand. Like you not been in it many times off the tee, but it has saved some of my thinned second shots. personally would prefer to be in that bunker than thirty yards through the back.

Yes - that's coming out. Hole will still look like an island though.

I might have a biased view, but I did prefer the set up of the course back in the 70's/80's. I left when all the trees came down on 6,7,8 and 9 as it just got a bit too open, and with my wild driving a bit too dangerous.

I think growing trees will protect things. So for instance on 8th I see many tee shots heading for the 9th fairway stopped by the end of the stance of trees rhs - and dropping down into the trees. But yes - 7th , 8th and 9th have that problem. Just need to be aware,

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Yes there is yearly plans as also longer term plans in regards tree maintenance etc

 

[richart]

I play a 7i or 6i max to avoid that problem. Play shot into wide open fairway LHS short of the trees and rough and 52 oe wedge in. I have no issues with them and they are not in current winter plan.

Yes but you know the course. When I play with my Society someone always finds one of the bunkers because you can't see them off the tee. I warn them there are some out there, but no idea exactly where. They always moan at me !! Wide open fairway ? You are hitting across it if you hit straight or draw the ball, Do you play a big fade with your irons ?

 

[Imurg]

If we have one it'll be written on the back of a matchbox, placed in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet located in the depths of the greenkeepers compound and with a notice saying "Beware of the Leopard" on it........

with a nod to the late great Douglas Adams

 

[Laka]

Our club has plans, for improvment of the course,,, for competions and for kids and junior training, there is also 24-55 age groups and 55+ groups... so they make plans for different members categories and also for the course and other assets as clubhouse. a new studio was built a couple of years ago,,new greens with usga standard,, drainage in bunkers and fairways and tees are constantly improved, we now have 3 training areas and a range ...... i would say we have short terma as yearly plans and also long term plans:thup:

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Our green keeper published a three year plan for the course, especially the greens last year and twelve months in, they are putting so much better. Not looking their best yet and still have some moss patches on them but very happy overall. There has been a massive drainage programme going on in the last few weeks which should make the lowest lying holes less susceptible to waterlogging. The club have a clear idea of where they are trying to go and I think they are getting there

 

[pigmeister]

JOG are pretty good with their planning. The 11th tee box on JOG, which had become uneven, has been dug up, trees removed and redesigned. The 7th green on JOG has been dug up, flattened out a little(scary putting on the old one in the summer), bunkers more defined, trees removed so that more sunlight and air can get to the green. Several other tees are to be relayed over the winter. Every year improvements are undertaken which benefits the course and the members. You have got to keep moving forward. With the exception of the new green all the work is undertaken by our green staff who do a damn fine job. Nigel and his staff really are top notch.:clap:

 

[scottkw2003]

Hello Tashyboy,
is that norwood at southwell ?

 

[IanG]

As far as I know our plan for this winter is to add three new tees (taking the 1st back onto the putting green behind the starters hut, and lengthening the par 3 6th and an extra back tee on the 12th), and re-facing 26 riveted bunkers with new turf. They have already done a few of the bunkers and they are looking very lovely indeed. I hope not to have to make a close inspection for some time