Course Design Discussion

[scoot_er]

Ok so after having 30+ Rec-level courses do you think Houston should focus on installing quality courses meant to challenge Adv level players?

I have been saying this for 5 years.,.........and we have had only 1 course since then that even comes close to this.

[bmugwump]

Which course are you talking about, Matt? Windwood or the new course at Brooks? I would think that both of those qualify...but you're right, there is a huge glut of "rec" courses in H-town! I guess it's because the developers don't have anybody in their orginizations that actually play? Or maybe they play, but haven't been playing for very long? Wish I knew the answer to that one...of course I also wish I was a better player!

[scoot_er]

Originally Posted by bmugwump

Which course are you talking about, Matt? Windwood or the new course at Brooks? I would think that both of those qualify...but you're right, there is a huge glut of "rec" courses in H-town! I guess it's because the developers don't have anybody in their orginizations that actually play? Or maybe they play, but haven't been playing for very long? Wish I knew the answer to that one...of course I also wish I was a better player!

I am talking about Brooks which I personally think could be a lot better with some specialized work on a few holes....basically I don't think it is ready for an A-tier or NT yet especially when coupled with the original course which I thought was better without the extended tees.

Windwood is a good course but with every hole being a hyzer it is far from challenging for a good Adv player.

[bmugwump]

You should've come out to play Bassackwards...The Wilmont was especially fun (five anhyzers around the wetlands!)...the flags are still there if you're in town & want to check it out!

[ERicJ]

Originally Posted by scoot_er

Windwood is a good course but with every hole being a hyzer it is far from challenging for a good Adv player.

If you want to rip on their spittin' baskets, that's fair game. But your quote above isn't very accurate.

[FlyinBryan]

[ChaseTheAce]

Originally Posted by ERicJ

If you want to rip on their spittin' baskets, that's fair game. But your quote above isn't very accurate.

the natural line on most of the holes at Windwood is a hyzer

2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18 are all hyzers

1, 12, 16 have hyzer routes but could really go either way

although most holes have multiple lines to the basket, the course does tend to favor the right handed player

[ERicJ]

Originally Posted by ChaseTheAce

the natural line on most of the holes at Windwood is a hyzer

2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18 are all hyzers

1, 12, 16 have hyzer routes but could really go either way

although most holes have multiple lines to the basket, the course does tend to favor the right handed player

How often do you land in the fairway throwing a hyzer on #10?

I agree that it favors righties, but saying every hole is a hyzer just isn't correct.

[tarazarr]

Originally Posted by ChaseTheAce

the natural line on most of the holes at Windwood is a hyzer

2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18 are all hyzers

1, 12, 16 have hyzer routes but could really go either way

although most holes have multiple lines to the basket, the course does tend to favor the right handed player

Chase thanks for the kind words...much appreciated.

I would agree with you on the hyzer statement above on the following holes...2..5...6...8....9...17 those are definate hyzer routes but to end it with "those are all hyzers" falls far short of it being an accurate description.

Holes 8..9.. I think actually favor the LHBH. even though they have the "appearance" of an easy hyzer shot... skipping and sliding is very dangerous to your chances for birdie.

Hole 9...Cirlce 3 is easy so why go for the ace, but I give the advantage of birdie to the lefty

Holes 11...14....15....18. I don't think favor RHBH or LHBH. fair game. 18 only slightly to the RHBH hyzer if you have the monster arm

Hole 4 - ace run- fair either way... favors accurate distance.. overshoot the basket by +20 feet and the "pucker" factor coming back at it... priceless...

Hole 5... second shortest hole on the course...213' easy birdie right? Yeah.. if you can park it within 10' of the basket.... watch the meltdowns occur here... I've seen more bags get kicked, discs slammed...profanities yelled...you could write a book..."How to turn a birdie into double bogey in 3 easy steps"

Hole 6... gets my vote for coolest hole in Houston... hyzer route...yes hands down. add to that... Raised T-box towering over the perfect tunnel shot, drive it under the wildest looking, completely arched Pine you've ever seen, skip it up to green for a possible "ace"... or perfect line should card a 2....But watch out, that green is a 2 sided cliff.... well that's the shot most of us are dreaming about on the t-box, but can't ever actually execute..

You called hole 7 a hyzer.... well that's kind of a half truth.. It's a hyzer for a true advanced RHBH player who can bend the shot right to begin with and then back left after about 250' and land it across the ravine up the hill onto a green that is tightly protected.. Fail to execute any part of that shot and you stand to lose any advantage over a LHBH player who throws out a fairly easy placement shot, short of the ravine, to have a clean look at the basket with a 100' upshot. I give the advantage here to the Adv RHBH or Rec LHBH player equally. everyone else has trouble.

IMO Holes 1..3..8..12..13..19.. clearly favor the LHBH player.

As ERic would say....Balanced...


As far as Bryans question on which properties have potential for a pro level course.... The Telge "Property" has the potential... My hope is the designer takes full advantage of it and pushes the envelope even further than Cedar Hills, cause I agree with scoot_er... Houston has more than enough Rec level courses... the advancement of the game and discs have turned a majority of Houston courses into pitch and putt courses.

There's talk about concreting Moffit... My suggestion would be forget the shorts, pour concrete on the long boxes to get the most bang for your buck out there...jmo

[ChrisMacG]

Originally Posted by scoot_er

Houston should focus on installing quality courses meant to challenge Adv level players?

This is my new year's resolution; more challenging courses.

I'm in talks with two parks departments about installing some more challenging courses down here on the south side. With luck at least one will pan out.