Geoff Ogilvy’s thoughts on deep rough and golf courses for kids

Geoff Ogilvy lays down his thoughts, scatter-gun style in the latest issue of Golf Digest.

Geoff Ogilvy pens another piece in the latest Golf Digest magazine that makes interesting reading. Titled ‘The Thinker‘, it’s not a full flowing article but more a collection of his thoughts about the game. His comments on where he gets the most enjoyment from the game that stood out for me.

“Early in the week of the 2013 British Open at Muirfield, a few guys who were in the know drove up the road and played North Berwick. Word got around, and by the end of the week, 30 guys had played there. By consensus, it was the most fun they had ever had playing golf.”

“The greatest feature is the nine-hole children’s course, which adults cannot play unless accompanied by a kid. When you see that children’s course, you realize the secret to growing golf has been sitting under our noses since 1888, when that course was built.”

He is absolutely right. Why are there so few par-3 golf courses in Australia? I realise that land is an issue, but I wonder if some centrally located golf courses in the big Australian cities would be financially (and socially) much happier after converting their course into smaller, pitch and putt style golf courses.

The idea of a ‘kids only’ golf course is fantastic.

Ogilvy has plenty to say. On golf course set-up’s featuring narrow fairways and deep rough:

“To the last holdouts for deep rough, I’d ask this: If Bubba Watson were in tall, dense grass to the right of the 10th hole at the 2012 Masters and had to pitch out, would that have been a good thing? Wasn’t the attempt at a bold recovery great to see?”

And on course design, specifically the ‘ridiculous’ (my description) 15th hole at Augusta National:

“There are actually entire holes that would not be attempted, including the par-5 15th at Augusta. The second shot there is insanely hard if you go for the green. If you lay up it’s just too severe, even with a wedge. Because of where it is and its place in history, it’s considered wonderful. But if you plopped that hole in any other setting, players would scream.”

I could quote a lot more interesting thoughts from Ogilvy, but just go and read the whole piece at Golf Digest for yourself.

One thought on “Geoff Ogilvy’s thoughts on deep rough and golf courses for kids

  • The redeveloped par-3 course at the Barwon Heads Golf Club (adjacent to the 18 hole links course) requires only casual attire and welcomes all. Children are especially encouraged to pick up a few clubs and tackle the layout. Open from 7.30am every morning, green fees are payable at the pro shop. Guests $10, locals $8, children $5.

    “…Not everything is a step back in time at Barwon Heads. The clubhouse’s 19-room accommodation wing is contemporary and first class, while in recent years the club has added a delightful par-3 course, which for $10 is as much a bargain as it is fun to play. The short course complements the club’s outstanding overall practice facilities.” Golf Australia magazine August 2014 ‘Australia’s Best Golfing Getaways”.

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