Question?

[Herbie]

Should an area immediately in front of greens be deemed 'NO TOLLIES OR WALKING UNLESS PLYING A SHOT FROM THIS AREA?

You know the area, that 20yd strip of fairway across the front of green where you do a bump and run and see it turn right or left from the bounce, that same area you always seem to see golfers parading over on foot or with trolly rather than going round the back, of where people often gather for some mystery reason? Its that strip of land that often results in a great approach shot ending up a poor one or looking silly just because of bounce.

So what do you all think of this area and the common roughness there seems to be on it following winter seasons, and what of other areas on the course that suffer unusual damage or roughness? What are your thoughts?

 

[freddielong]

Its a good idea but may be unworkable on some courses and may lead to all the rough around the greens being flattened, especially where there is only access to one side which would make that harder to play from.

I don't like the other alternative either where the green keeper grows rough across in front of the green forceing every one to hit in spinny shots because there is no option for bump and runs.

 

[USER1999]

We tend to store string in this area, and also to the sides of the greens, making everyone walk miles out of their way. Makes the course look a bit Pikey too. Not keen.

Most of the summer the ground is firm enough to not be affected, so can't really see the problem.

 

[thecraw]

If the greenkeeper does his job properly there is no reason why this area cant be maintained to a high standard. Seeding divots, using a tougher grass and proper winter maintenence will all help.

 

[Herbie]

Greens with an upward slope or downward slope to the green suffer this problem less than the harder flatter greens.

I have noticed flat approach to greens have the greater problems.

Golfers will always take the easiest route (who can blame them)but how hard would it be to avoid this area as much as possible?

The route to the next tee can have an effect on the routes people follow regardless of where there ball is, an example is at a previous club I was a member where one hole had its follow on tee directly behind the hole and everyone walked up the middle to the green then swerved L or R after having a look see then took their kit round the back, another hole had the next tee immediately right and in front and so most golfers regardless of where they lay took themselves and kit up the right side. The difference in wear/damage in front of green between the two was obvious.

Im not saying there is any reasonable solution but am interested if others may have some ideas that dont affect the normal enjoyment of the game?

 

[Leftie]

At our club, rightly or wrongly, trollies are banned from the closely mown (lower than fairway height) approaches to the greens. As a result, many are happy to putt rather than chip from 10, 20, 30 feet or more in front of the green. Chip and runs rarely have sideways bounces.

The downside is that most of the traffic follows the white lining which results in more concentrated wear around the sides of the green towards the next tee - particularly in winter when ground conditions are poor. But, if your approach shot is that far off line, you don't deserve a perfect lie

 

[Imurg]

Plenty of times I've wanted to play a bump'n'run but on inspecting the ground infront its like the Somme in the middle of a hot summer. Craters here, dips there etc etc.
makes the bump'n'run virtually impossible as you can't judge what the ball's going to do on impact.

Solution. Not a clue. What's the point of roping it off in summer when a steamroller isn't going to change anything. Rope it off in winter to stop it becoming that way to start with.

 

[Herbie]

Plenty of times I've wanted to play a bump'n'run but on inspecting the ground infront its like the Somme in the middle of a hot summer. Craters here, dips there etc etc.
makes the bump'n'run virtually impossible as you can't judge what the ball's going to do on impact.

Solution. Not a clue. What's the point of roping it off in summer when a steamroller isn't going to change anything. Rope it off in winter to stop it becoming that way to start with.

Good idea, few of us like winter conditions that much anyway so roping off areas or making play prohibited from certain areas wont spoil the winter season that much, so protecting the course when its most at risk Im all for.

 

[jammydodger]

All the approaches to our greens are white lined off through the winter and several are lined off quite a way from the green well up the fairway.

Having said that we pretty much use temps all winter anyway