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Green Section
Why do we dare to compare courses?
By Larry Gilhuly, Northwest Director, USGA Green Section
Many golfers can't help it - they are genetically inclined to compare golf course conditioning whenever they play a different course than their own.
All one has to do is spend time in the 19th hole or in the pro shop and listen to the conversations as self-proclaimed experts like to extol the virtues of the course they just played (usually in some type of prepared tournament). Generally the greens are always faster, smoother, firmer, and just plain "better" than the surfaces they must endure at their home course.
In some cases the opinions spread out into other portions of the golf course with the occasional "Grand Slam" of observations that Perfection G&CC is simply superior in every aspect of course conditioning without ever stopping to think about budgets, seasonal problems, tournament preparations, and a myriad of other concerns that make every golf course different from another.
A recent issue of the USGA Green Section Record (November/December 2004) has an excellent short article by Darin Bevard about this very topic titled, "No, It Really Is Not Just Your Golf Course!" This article points out two major reasons why many players chose to make comparisons without understanding all the facts:
1. Head up vs. head down syndrome. This fact was pointed out to me nearly two decades ago by Jim Moore, Director of Construction Education, USGA Green Section. His point (and Bevard's) is that players generally are not prone to enjoy the surroundings at their own golf course as much as a new course where new vistas and architecture beckon the human eye. At home, the eye has seen all of these features countless times, thus the eyes tend to go down and all of the flaws are noticed.
2. Big event syndrome. This is generally the major problem with comparisons as players are invited to play in special events or tournaments. The comparisons ensue and then you play host to the same type of event in which other players from visiting courses go home and make the same inane comparisons of their course to yours. I could not agree more with one golf course superintendent at a prominent private club in the Pacific Northwest when he described his club's way of coping with this situation, "If everyone would just stop going over the top for their Member/Guest Invitational, the comparisons would die down. We maintain our golf course at a certain standard throughout the year, including our Member/Guest Invitational. There is no extra mowing or rolling on the greens since our members cannot adapt to greens that are suddenly one to two feet faster than what they are used to. We want all of the players to have fun first, get through the golf course as fast as possible and enjoy the great food and other portions of our facility. Our goal is to not watch balls trickle off greens due to regular hole locations suddenly becoming unplayable." It sounds like his Board has nailed it. Must not be a bunch of low single-digit players!
While the preceding topics certainly are a major reason why some golfers chose to make comparisons, there are several other reasons why some just can't resist the opportunity to make comparisons that do little good for the superintendent.
Here are five reasons why some cannot resist the urge to "dare to compare."
Top 100 list wannabes. With all the "Top 100" lists out there along with the best of each state, it is no surprise that so many feel compelled to make their own lists based on their personal experience. In a perfect world, all of these lists would be eliminated (what good are they other than for marketing purposes and some people's egos).
Feel important-ologists. You have all been around when one of these volcanoes erupts, spewing forth torrents of hot lava about every course they just played locally, around the world or in their dreams. They just can't resist the opportunity to let everyone know just how much they know. The comparisons start with architecture (a subject that is totally open to comparisons) and often moves to turf conditions where the word "I" is heard often.
Axe-to-grinders. This is the most dangerous golfer as they have a personal axe to grind with the superintendent, but hide behind their "observations" and comparisons while often claiming that they support the superintendent. These are the same individuals who often use the latest phrase when they get their way and the superintendent is fired, "We decided to go in a different direction." Or the equally onerous, "We wanted to go to the next level." For those who might fall into this category please do us all a favor and take yourself to the next level by heading in a different direction!
Miserable human syndrome. This (fortunately) small group can generally be found grousing about any and everything. No matter what is done they are not satisfied. The recommendation for this group is the same for the "axe-to-grinders."
How they putted (played) that day. "The condition of the golf course is directly proportional to how well the player played that day!" This great quote has been around for decades and rings as true today. This is especially true with greens and green speed in general. It is very hard to believe that the average player in America (16.1 handicap index for male players, 29.6 female) prefers greens in excess of 10'6"-11'. Smoothness yes, but pure speed that slows down the game, reduces great hole locations and basically removes the fun of the game for a vast majority of players should not be the goal. Unfortunately, the "compare-aholics" are generally better players (or certainly far more vocal), thus the regular players are bullied into believing that fast is better.
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