LE N GTH & RATI N G S
MEN’S CARD
While course length is certainly not the most important criteria in assessing a golf course, it is still a factor that needs to be given
weight. Over the past 15 years, good players’ driving length has increased by around 10% and yet most courses have remained
the same or perhaps slightly longer. If Green Acres’ course’s length was to be increased by 10% to match this increase in driving
distance, the course would need to be stretched from its current length (men’s) of 5966m by 597m up to 6563m. At Green Acres
such a length increase is impractical given the site and boundary constraints. That said the primary objective of this Master Plan is
to assess each hole o n its merit and make judicious changes that seek to make the hole the best it can be rather than adding length
for the sake of it.
WOMEN’S CARD
Much of the above discussion also applies to the Ladies ‘Card of the Course’. In particular the statement concerning the primary
objective of this Master Plan being to assess each hole on its merit and make the hole the best it can be rather than adding
length for the sake of it. The length of the ladies course, 5297m, Par 73 (AWCR 73), is already of a standard commensurate with
other courses of similar standing. For example Rosanna Golf Club is 5240m, Par 73 (AWCR 73). And whilst much is made of the
advances in technology, for women, the gains are welcomed – however overwhelmingly too often the women’s course is considered
too difficult a test of golf. To this end there is much discussion concerning the length of not only men’s courses but also ladies
course length and difficulty. Discussion putting forward the case for shorter women’s courses is based on the notion of the ‘fairness
test’ - when compared to men’s courses relative length. i.e. being able to hit the same club to reach greens in regulation from
respective tees. This concept applies not only to women but also shorter hitting men. One rule of thumb put forward is the course
length should be 30 x the golfers average drive length. Therefore, if a lady hits their drive an average of 150 metres the course
length should be in the order of 4500 metres. Whilst this concept isn’t endorsed or adopted by any Australian golfing bodies it is an
interesting discussion and serves as an important case in point to be considered when assessing existing courses.
S C RATC H RATI N G SYSTE M
Of interest is the recent change to the new course rating system from Golf Australia based on the USGA’s Scratch Course Rating
System known as the “Slope System”. The essence of this rating system sees the course no longer rated on the ‘measured length’
of the course but on the ‘effective length’ of the course ~ which takes into consideration the impact of prevailing winds as well
as other environmental influences such as elevation, roll, altitude, forced lay-ups and the like. A further analysis of each hole is
undertaken in order to assess the 10 obstacle factors which affect playing difficulty as follows;
1. Topography - the impact of the terrain on play.
2. Fairway - the difficulty of keeping the ball on the fairway.
3. Green target - the size and difficulty of hitting the green.
4. Recoverability & Rough - covers the difficulty of a shot when the fairway or green has been missed.
5. Bunkers - how they come into play and the difficulty of recovery.
6. Out of Bounds / Extreme Rough - the proximity of these factors and they come into play.
7. Water Hazards - the proximity of these factors and how they come into play.
8. Trees - based on density, proximity and difficulty of recovery.
9. Green surface - assesses the difficulty of the green, and includes speed and contouring of each green.
10. Psychological - evaluation of the cumulative effect of the other 9 obstacles will have on a players score.
Of particular relevance for Gisborne Golf Club will be in adhering to Golf Australia’s recommendation to expand to a three tee system for
this rating system. This will provide for a more flexible tee system and therefore a more flexible and interesting golf course.
PAG E 0 9
GREEN ACRES GOLF CLUB
MASTER PLAN REPORT
LE N GTH & RATI N G S