CHRIS LANG
The PGA Tour has spent considerable sums assuring us that “ these guys are good .” And why not ? The players benefit from the best of training , instruction , equipment and course conditions . However , all it takes to send their scores soaring is some bad weather ( especially wind ) and a diabolical superintendent .
In practice , there are no hard and fast rules for setting hole locations . The USGA does however offer superintendents and tournament officials guidelines and recommendations to promote fair play . An overriding tenet is that from wherever a player putts , the ball should come to rest within two feet of the hole .
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The responsibility for offering VSGA tournament competitors the best possible playing experience falls in part to manager of championships and events Courtney Hamlett and colleague Josh Coates , the VSGA ’ s director of golf operations .
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“ Each event we run has its own parameters regarding hole locations ,” says Hamlett . “ And the selection process for an elite-level amateur event is decidedly different from one with players of varying abilities . We often make four-ball locations more difficult given that each side has two chances for a good result . To keep rounds fair , we tend to select easier hole locations on more difficult holes and more challenging placements on ones that play more easily .”
“ Our staff uses a Breakmaster Digital Green Reader to check the break direction and slope around the hole ,” adds Coates . “ We ’ re looking for a consistent slope of 2.0 degrees or less . Depending on the green speeds or design , we may have to be more conservative .” For tourneys , the VSGA considers hole design and types and lengths of approach shots as it attempts to balance course distance and hole location selection . “ Our goal is to have a good combination of fronts and backs that ultimately leads to the course playing close to the event ’ s selected yardage ,” says Hamlett . “ If we select too many front or back locations , the course plays shorter or longer than intended .”
“ Our goal is to have a good combination of fronts and backs that ultimately leads to the course playing close to the event ’ s selected yardage .”
— Courtney Hamlett , Manager of Championships and events
vsga . org M AY / J UNE 2022 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 23