What do you look for in a good course?

[Tongo]

So its been interesting noting reasons for people's bottom 5 courses so i thought i'd see what people look for in what they would deem a good course?

Is it course length?
Or variety?
Or simply a good test?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

1. Layout

2. Visually impressive

3. Quality of the fairways

4. Changes in elevation

5. Clever bunkering or placement of hazards

6. It fits in naturally to its surroundings

Overall a good course is one that makes me want to go back again

A great course is one that has holes you will always remember

 

[HomerJSimpson]

A good test and to be honest, my course gives me that. Friendly club, and the course is getting better, especially in the last two years since the new head greenkeeper came in. It represent a tough challenge every time I play it and even pros struggle to take it apart in pro ams or comps

 

[Val]

I like a test, reasonable length 6200-6600, anything longer can be a slog.

I like it visually to look good, defined fairways, neat bunkers and good tee boxes, good views where applicable, eg links with sea view etc

I like it to be good value for money, I don't mind paying to dollar for a top course but don't want to be paying top whack for a goat track.

A good clubhouse, changing rooms, bar and decent grub.

 

[Imurg]

A good course should test all the shots
It shouldn't have any holes you dislike.
A good mix of long and short holes - the short holes don't have to easy
The need for different shots from the tee - it gets dull pulling out the driver on all but the par 3's.
Have a few par 4's that need a placed iron or hybrid or fairway wood leaving a mid iron or more to the green
True greens - speed isn't too big a factor but the roll must be true.
A strong finish - some courses seem to fizzle out after 14 or 15 holes..keep the intensity to the end.

 

[scottbrown]

18 tees, 18 greens, bunkers, elevatation change, ideally some water. A good test really. Length between 6500-7000 ( anything more than 7000 wouldn't be fun every week and less than 6500 wouldn't IMO test range of shots as little long iron / wood use ). Personally social side can take or leave but a good practice area is a must have.

 

[patricks148]

a course that tests all parts of your game, from long par 4's to short ones and a good mix of par 3's distance wise.

a challenge really, as martin says about 6500 to 6700... more can be a slog

 

[Yer Maw]

plenty shape, not driver of the tee all the time, lots of long to mid iron shots, and good greens as they make or break any course for me.

 

[SHiiBBZ]

I like character. Nothing worse than a course which is full of straight par 4s and 5s.

The Phoenix Course at Cottesmore has loads of character, from quirky 90 yard holes (the whole green is surrounded by bunkers) to par 5s over water.

Lindfield GC was very boring to play, driver for every tee bar the par threes.

As a new golfer, I prefer the shorter 67/68 par courses until I can hit my driver consistently.

 

[Toad]

Lots of trees!

I love parkland golf and the challenge of keeping it on your own fairway with tree lined holes, it a visual thing for me with the most important factor being the way holes look and the condition of the course.

I personally think a green looks better when backdropped by trees it just gives it a certain appeal and suits my eye better.
We have I feel a perfect mix of holes with great variation and have the set up to suit most golfers as the length ranges from 6200-7000 yards depending on tees in use.

 

[Region3]

1. Layout

2. Visually impressive

3. Quality of the fairways

4. Changes in elevation

5. Clever bunkering or placement of hazards

6. It fits in naturally to its surroundings

Overall a good course is one that makes me want to go back again

A great course is one that has holes you will always remember

This for me except I couldn't give two hoots about number 6.

I'd add that it needs to be a good mix of hole lengths although that might come under 'layout'. A great course can still get boring if you're hitting get the same clubs into most of the greens.

 

[3565]

It has to be long 6800+, tough, intimidating, fast undulating greens, cavernous bunkers, and requires every shot in the bag to play it.

 

[Smiffy]

Must be in good condition, with a nice selection of short and longer holes.
Not fussed whether it is links, parkland or heathland as long as it is in good condition.
Nicely manicured fairway and reasonably fast greens.
That will do for me.

 

[Captainron]

Most people on here would cite condition as a major factor. On a golf course a monkey in silk is better than a person in rags. Variety of holes would probably come next.

 

[wookie]

Greens condition more important than fairways for me.

 

[Hobbit]

First and foremost, good greens. Nothing worse than hitting a great putt, and then seeing it play leap frog across the green. Challenging fairway bunkers - can I get a 5 wood out of them? A fairway bunker that you can only hit a wedge out of doesn't make you think. Design that makes good use of optical illusions, e.g. false fronts and a reverse McKenzie. And a course that tests pretty much every club in the bag.

 

[Birchy]

No vans on the car park is a must.

 

[matt71]

I would like:

1- good greens

2- Bunkers with sand in them!

3 - Warm welcome when you arrive and also while you are playing

4- Nice layout that is not dull and not too challenging! A course I can remember if that makes sense.

5 - not too expensive

6- Just for me no trees or water as I seem to find every one one a new course lol

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Lots of re-occurring answer here, a theme developing. I think I am very much in agreement with LiverpoolPhils response on pg1. Covers most of it for me. A little extra couple of things, I like a predominantly flat course and wide fairways are good purely to help me on bad driving days. Picturesque is a big one which is why I prefer parkland to links.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Picturesque is a big one which is why I prefer parkland to links.

I'm guessing you haven't played Kingsbarns then?

Pretty simple for me really........ Testing challenge, good condition and in the top 100