by Barry Ward (AGW of UK)
Derek:
Your piece on the need for shorter courses was a breath of fresh air. I've written on a similar thesis, based on playing some of the UK's old courses, particularly links (I live in Southport, the capital of English golf).
In pre-war days, before golf balls become loosely guided missiles, James Braid (and later Donald Ross) frequently introduced a short par four into his designs. With slightly off-set, tightly guarded greens even better players had to consider a lay-up, perhaps the first risk/reward holes although he doubtless didn't know that term or even think of it in that fashion.
Alternatively, he would build such a green sloping away, from front to back, often with his signature fall-away swale/hump on the back edge, leaving a tricky return chip for the over-hit approach shot.
Most of his greens also have a slight rise in the approach so you can visualise the consequences: lay-up for what you call the knock-down shot (we know it as a pitch and run, often played with a mid-iron) and you'd better be pretty dextrous to leave a holeable putt.
Flag position plays a part here, too, obviously. The early Braid courses were among the first to have greens offering multiple flag positions, that is small level areas surrounded by rolls and breaks.
So a 240 yard par 4 with a flag tucked behind a bunker on a green sloping from front to back often required more than a modicum of thought, particularly with a cross wind of anything in excess of two clubs in strength!
In those days of course a tee shot of 240 yards was big hitting but the point is that the design factor is as valid today. I know examples where such holes follow a difficult stretch and the temptation is to try to reclaim lost strokes by "going for it", frequently with predictable consequences. This wasn't accidental: it was part of a plan, a change in course tempo.
So small, cleverly contoured run-away greens can make a 240 yarder into a key hole, one of fun and challenge.
I like the sound of your imaginary par-68. See you on the first tee!
Best wishes for the New Year.
Barry Ward
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