Creating Alternatives to Original Golf Templates
The word ‘template’ is, of course, part of modern-day golf architecture speak. It’s not quite clear when the term was first used to describe certain hole designs, but we do know it has its origin in golf pioneer C.B. Macdonald’s trips to Britain and France between 1902 and 1906 when he sought to identify the […]
Premier Properties: Rancho San Lucas Golf Club
Los Cabos, Mexico The centerpiece of an 834-acre resort and residential community fronting a 1.2-mile stretch of beach on the Pacific Ocean, the Greg Norman-designed course at Rancho San Lucas, 15 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas, promises to be the destination’s next great golf venue. “When we were first asked to build a golf […]
I Was There – 1998 Presidents Cup
Royal Melbourne Golf Club holds a special place in my heart. It’s where I’ve won tournaments, shot my lowest round, and celebrated the International team’s lone triumph at The Presidents Cup, in 1998. In December, I’ll captain our side as we attempt to regain the golden trophy there. For four years, beginning in 2002, this […]
Weather Man: PGA Tour Meteorologist Stewart Williams
From miles away, Stewart Williams could tell the torrential afternoon thunderstorm would douse Akron, Ohio. Sure enough, it poured buckets on the field at July’s Bridgestone Senior Players Championship for a short time, but long enough to wash out bunkers. Just when the maintenance staff had the course ready to resume play, another storm rolled […]
Six of the Most Interesting Driving Ranges in Golf
I tend not to hit more than a dozen balls warming up before a round of golf. Like many golfers, I might joke with those next to me that my good shots are limited, so why waste them? But during my travels I’ve come across a number of unique or unusual practice ranges where it’s […]
Gil Hanse’s Architecture 101: Building the Natural
With a routing in place and the best of the natural characteristics maximized, it’s time to start thinking seriously about the placement and character of the golf features. On our projects, my partner Jim Wagner and I always emphasize to our team that we want to “build the natural,” that is, create aspects that appear […]
Classic Courses: California Golf Club of San Francisco
Coming up the entryway into California Golf Club of San Francisco—or, as it’s more commonly called, Cal Club—is a drive back in time. The road winds past the first fairway and up to a grand white clubhouse. There’s a main entrance, but the members know better and walk around to the side and through a […]
Modern Classics: Wade Hampton
On the ever-growing list of courses Tom Fazio has designed, there are only a select few that he calls home. Serving as the summer getaway from his primary residence in South Florida, Wade Hampton Golf Club is one of them. One of the game’s most exclusive enclaves, the club is nestled in the tiny mountain […]
Thousand Greens: Match.com Meets the Top 100
Shinnecock, Winged Foot, Oakmont, Olympic—every serious golfer knows the names, but only a fortunate few have played the courses. In contrast to the UK, where the host sites of the Open Championship extend a warm welcome to visitors, U.S. Open venues and other top American courses are, for the most part, shut tight, exclusive bastions […]
What Golf Resorts Are Doing to Stay Relevant
In case you haven’t noticed, golf resorts are stepping up their game like never before. Putting courses and short courses are all the rage. Developer Mike Keiser is opening a new must-play course on almost an annual basis. And while new course design has taken a back seat, resorts are pumping significant money into restoring, […]