Wentworth and the run offs.

[richart]

Do you like the course changes at Wentworth, and in particular the run offs ?

Personally I am not keen, as it makes the course like an American one. Heathland courses should be natural with fast running fairways, and tight grass around the greens. You should be able to play chip and runs, but shots now have to be carried up to the raised greens from collection areas. I think the run offs, which though beautifully manicured, just look wrong. Course looked immaculate, but seems to be set up specifically for the one Pro event a year played there.

If anyone wants to play a heathland courses, don't judge them by Wentworth. Go and play Sunningdale, Swinley, Hankley, Woodhall Spa, Liphook, West Hill, The Berkshire etc, and see what all the fuss is about.:thup:

 

[Imurg]

Sounds like a Reggae band......

Generally agree with you Rich...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think you have a point and to be honest the West course has been *******ised solely to cater for the PGA every year. It has lost the characteristics of a heathland course and even the banks of heather that use to grow around the bunkers have gone.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Do you like the course changes at Wentworth, and in particular the run offs ?

Personally I am not keen, as it makes the course like an American one. Heathland courses should be natural with fast running fairways, and tight grass around the greens. You should be able to play chip and runs, but shots now have to be carried up to the raised greens from collection areas. I think the run offs, which though beautifully manicured, just look wrong. Course looked immaculate, but seems to be set up specifically for the one Pro event a year played there.

If anyone wants to play a heathland courses, don't judge them by Wentworth. Go and play Sunningdale, Swinley, Hankley, Woodhall Spa, Liphook, West Hill, The Berkshire etc, and see what all the fuss is about.:thup:

Can't disagree with much of that rich - especially the run offs. That is certainly an "Americanism" added to the course. I do like the change to the 18th though - very much risk and reward

 

[richart]

Can't disagree with much of that rich - especially the run offs. That is certainly an "Americanism" added to the course. I do like the change to the 18th though - very much risk and reward

The 18th was always a fairly weak finishing hole, and has certainly been spiced up. A lot of the other holes have had the greens slightly raised to allow for the run offs. The 17th is very strange, as left of the green used to slope down to the green , but know has a run off cut into the hill.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

The 18th was always a fairly weak finishing hole, and has certainly been spiced up. A lot of the other holes have had the greens slightly raised to allow for the run offs. The 17th is very strange, as left of the green used to slope down to the green , but know has a run off cut into the hill.

Remember watching them in the 80's in the Toyota World Matchplay and hitting the second shot into 17 and it running about 100 yards down the hill onto the green

Would it be better to have the PGA move around the country and play on different parkland/heathland courses ?

We have so many in the country that could easily hold it

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I can understand the tour wanting it at Wentworth as its their HQ and so I'm happy to see it at the same venue. However, I think the course has been undermined by the changes and the 17th in particular has become a weak hole

 

[richart]

I can understand the tour wanting it at Wentworth as its their HQ and so I'm happy to see it at the same venue. However, I think the course has been undermined by the changes and the 17th in particular has become a weak hole

I agree. What we need is other events in England, such as the English open. then it could be played at courses such as Woburn, Woodhall, Sunningdale, Hankley etc.

 

[patricks148]

Ive never played the course so i don't know it at all but it does look vey American Parkland style. Tony Jacklin made a good point when he was asked about the changes, that more heather should have been added rather than water and raised greens.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I agree. What we need is other events in England, such as the English open. then it could be played at courses such as Woburn, Woodhall, Sunningdale, Hankley etc.

The used to have one didn't they ?

All down to sponsors isn't it - if they could find a sponsor they hopefully could get another tour event.

Thankfully we have got the Matchplay at the London Club this year as well

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I think it is starting to bed down after Ernie's Alterations [good name for a punk band]

Personally I hate to see the tricked up grass cuts on the approaches, that's just the greenkeeper showing off.
Same as the football clubs who do swirl cuts......it's grass not an art exhibition.

PS What were the crowds like, they looked pretty thin on the first two days ? [or were they all in the sponsors lounge]

 

[Imurg]

Not many years ago we had The Open, English Open, British Masters and the B&H Invitational as well as the PGA and the Matchplay at Wentworth (possibly more) every year.....

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Not many years ago we had The Open, English Open, British Masters and the B&H Invitational as well as the PGA and the Matchplay at Wentworth (possibly more) every year.....

The loss of tobacco sponsorship didn't help

Think Woburn had The Heritage in early 2000's ( won by Stenson )

St Mellion , Sunningdale and Belfry uses regularly host events.

Think the crowds would flock to the events but don't think the sponsors will - nor can clubs afford to host ET events

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I think it is starting to bed down after Ernie's Alterations [good name for a punk band]

Personally I hate to see the tricked up grass cuts on the approaches, that's just the greenkeeper showing off.
Same as the football clubs who do swirl cuts......it's grass not an art exhibition.

PS What were the crowds like, they looked pretty thin on the first two days ? [or were they all in the sponsors lounge]

It was rammed on Friday ( when it wasn't raining )

 

[richart]

I think it is starting to bed down after Ernie's Alterations [good name for a punk band]

Personally I hate to see the tricked up grass cuts on the approaches, that's just the greenkeeper showing off.
Same as the football clubs who do swirl cuts......it's grass not an art exhibition.

PS What were the crowds like, they looked pretty thin on the first two days ? [or were they all in the sponsors lounge]

I heard there were 11,000 for the Pro Am which must be a record. The stand behind the 18th green held something like 2,500. Pretty sure the crowds were at record levels.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Not many years ago we had The Open, English Open, British Masters and the B&H Invitational as well as the PGA and the Matchplay at Wentworth (possibly more) every year.....

Apart form The Open, The Masters when it was at Woburn and the Matchplay/PGA at Wentworth they were usually played at pretty poor courses and badly supported.

 

[Dodger]

Apart form The Open, The Masters when it was at Woburn and the Matchplay/PGA at Wentworth they were usually played at pretty poor courses and badly supported.

http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014040/news/newsid=224359.html

 

[hines57]

Whilst in agreement that the run offs don't look natural to a British course, be interesting to hear what they do around the greens when it is not set up for the PGA? What are folks faced with for the other 51 weeks of the year?

From commentary, it sounded like the winning scores came from the results of how the par 5's were played - with net par being the outcome on the 3's and 4's.

 

[Junior]

I agree. What we need is other events in England, such as the English open. then it could be played at courses such as Woburn, Woodhall, Sunningdale, Hankley etc.

I agree with this. I know I could only see on teh TV, but there seemed to be so much more spectators at Wentworth compared to the middle east / China events, there also seemed to be twice as many youngsters !!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Check out the video in the this article - some cracking shots

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/27575256