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Golf Terrain StrategyGreat Golf Makes the Most of the TerrainThe golf terrain strategy -meaning the use of landform and existing features- invariably has the greatest influence on the design strategy of any golf hole which might be constructed in any particular location.This sounds fairly obvious but quite regularly, as golf architects with a trained eye, we regularly come across golf courses with various holes where the architect has chosen not to make full use of the existing terrain and surrounds for the creation of the design strategies. Our experience is that the closer the golf terrain strategy can conform to the existing landforms that nature has given the site, the better it plays, the cheaper it is to build, the easier it is to maintain, and the better and more natural it appears. Quite often, you feel, situations where this is not the case arise possibly through poor initial planning, where the optimum balance of all golf holes on a golf course has not been reached. Most designers can route at least a few good golf holes on most pieces of land, but it takes a skilled practitioner to achieve the perfect balance of golf strategies versus natural terrain, where all holes on a course are able to reach a high or even great standard. Our experience is that we have never come across a project or land parcel where we have had to compromise on quality in that regard. With persistent and skillful planning, backed up by varied and innovative detailed design, any land space can yield a golf course with intriguing golf terrain strategy capable of greatness. Here's some of the basic issues that you can look for to see if this is the case with your golf course: The Mix of Golf HolesMost people believe that a golf course with good strategic value should have holes which allow you to use every club in your bag in as many varied ways as possible. We generally concur with this, although it is becoming quite difficult to achieve great golf terrain strategy for the pro golfer.
But in any case, a golf course with good golf terrain strategy should be a collection of holes that play uphill, downhill, in every direction and doglegging both left and right in similar amounts throughout the course of a round of golf. Ideally they should be presented in a way so that the golfer must undertake distinctly differing challenges every step of the way as he plays his round of golf. Click here for a good source of background information on preparing for such playing challenges. Generally, a 9 hole loop should not begin or have a par 3 hole early on, nor should a 9 hole loop finish with a par 3. Traditionally, a long tough par 4 was considered a good finishing hole, but since there is no such thing as a long par 4 for alot of golfers anymore, a par 5 often sets up the most interesting finish. Use of the Natural TerrainAs a general rule when locating a golf hole, it is best to adhere to the natural lie of the land. What this means, as an example in very simple terms, is if piece of land slopes from high on the right to low down on the left across the proposed line of play, it is usually best to design a golf hole there that also doglegs from right to left. This most often facilitates a naturally appearing golf hole that will be cheapest to build and maintain, providing the best overall result.
 There are of course unlimited variations on this and times when other strategies are better, but it always requires a very good reason to put together a golf terrain strategy which goes against the lie of the land. In this way, poor hole routing, even on a couple of holes on a course, can really blow out a development budget and make maintenance difficult for years into the future. Consequently, the value of having a quality golf architect on board any project can easily be justified, as he can save many thousands in construction and ongoing maintenance just by being able to layout and design a golf course that adheres closely to the lie of the land. More detailed descriptions and examples of design, playing and general golf terrain strategies can be found in the book Golf Course Design - Modern Day Issues and experiences
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