Location , Location , Location
By filtering right and left placements throughout the round , the VSGA staff avoids favoring or disadvantaging players with only one style of swing . On par 3s and 5s , the staff alters hole locations to give players different looks .
Making a course fair , doesn ’ t necessarily mean “ easy .” The VSGA does its best to challenge , yet reward , good shots . Close pins behind front bunkers are fine sometimes , yet “ we want golfers to be able to stop the ball close to the hole if they make a good stroke ,” says Coates . Weather can be a factor too . “ With a chance of rain we want to avoid pooling water near a hole location . In
“ With a chance of rain we want to avoid pooling water near a hole location . In high wind conditions , we look to avoid being close to false fronts where the ball may not stay if it comes up just short .”
— Josh Coates , the VSGA ’ s director of golf operations
high wind conditions , we look to avoid being close to false fronts where the ball may not stay if it comes up just short ,” he says .
For multi-day events , the VSGA maps out hole locations in advance . “ We want different approach shots each day ,” says Hamlett . “ That means a good balance of easy and hard locations so one day is not demonstrably more difficult than the others . We also vary lefts , rights , fronts and backs for each round .”
Hole Locations 2.0
Tourney sets are one thing , but how about for everyday play ? The same basic parameters apply , say veteran greenskeepers .
Jerome Dodson is superintendent at Fredericksburg Country Club . He is a recipient of the VGCSA distinguished service award and has worked countless public , private and country club courses throughout Virginia and the Sandhills .
“ At FCC we use a predetermined six-quadrant system . At earlier stops I used a tournament setup : six easy , six medium , six hard , six front , six middle , six back , ( six edges , inside and middle ) and a tic-tac-toe model , one pin per box per nine ,” he says . “ You just want the locations mixed , everywhere and fair . I was taught to stand with the cup location between my feet and drop a ball 360 degrees around the
For VSGA championships , tournament administrators look for a consistent slope of 2 degrees or less .