The Staples Golf "Signature"??

Staples Golf Fan,

Welcome to the Staples Golf Quart- er, I mean half-yearly!  Ha. Crazy how time is flying!!

I was at a member presentation the other day, and was asked a question I feel like I’m asked on every project: “Which hole will be our signature?!?”
     
I chuckled, and delivered my now well-rehearsed response: “I don’t do signature holes… My job is to give you 18 signature holes!!” [insert crying laughing emoji]
     
This conversation got me thinking about the concept of a signature hole, and what exactly makes great golf in general. I’ve had these ideas in my mind for a while now, so I thought I’d write down some of the principles I think create “my” signature design.  Enjoy!!‍

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It's All About Strate-gery!

A great course should engage the mind on each and every shot; a great design presents the player with unique problems that require thoughtful decision making, and deliberate shot execution.  This is the essence of ‘strategic’ golf design.

Proper width, varied angles, and interesting slopes are the best tools for achieving this – not necessarily more length, hazards, or difficulty.  Classics like Royal Melbourne, National Golf Links, and Maidstone come to mind when I think of courses that do this better than most. 

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‍A Sense of Adventure

On top of golf strategy, a great course should bring out the best of the property, even if there are very few natural assets. As in life, the game becomes more interesting and memorable when one's sense of adventure is harnessed to the fullest.

I’m reminded about my time designing and building Sand Hollow Resort in Southern Utah. Pure red sand dunes, set next to towering, natural sandstone cliffs… it was an absolute dream project.  I remember walking the site, and thinking about how to navigate the golfer across the property in a way that maximized the experience.  I'm convinced every golfer that gets the chance to play this course experiences the same sense of adventure I did my first time on the property.

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‍Authenticity is Key

Another way of describing authenticity is the “sense of place.” It’s the feeling you get when you step onto the world’s greatest courses… you may not know why you like, you just know you like it!! 

I think authentic design hinges on two main themes – it takes cues from the local environment it is built in, and feels like it has stood the test of time.  Whether that’s a more naturalistic sand dunes-style like Sand Hollow, or something a bit more “engineered” like Meadowbrook in Detroit, both have this inherent sense of place. 

It’s also what I feel we accomplished on the South Course at Olympia Fields – thoughtful feature construction, the exposing of viewsheds, and design direction based on their historic course photos all helped unite the South into its setting, and aim to make the entire course feel like it’s been there forever!

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Playing the Hero

I made a trip to TPC Sawgrass with my family for spring break, and there’s few things more exciting in golf than seeing your kids’ reaction to experiencing great golf architecture.

As the famous 17th at Sawgrass epitomizes, I am a big believer that all great courses should present situations where you are rewarded for executing a solid golf shot… or as I like to say, “sometimes, you gotta sack up and hit the golf shot!”

I've had the chance to observe and discuss the game with elite players at clubs like Mesa CC here in Arizona, Mira Vista CC in Ft. Worth, and at the North Course at Olympia Fields as of late.  Executing the golf shot is, in part, why we play this great game, and it’s why people get hooked once they feel the rush of that heroic strike for the first time.

My #1 Rule...     

... is there are no rules! I am a firm believer that the best courses don't conform to strict rules, especially if that comes at the expense of great design.  Cypress Point has back-to-back par 3s AND par 5s.  The Old Course (and Claremont in Oakland) has crossing holes. Pasatiempo ends with a par 3. The list goes on.

In the end, great architecture always takes priority when creating the most fun, exciting, and memorable playing experience possible.

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A Final Note - Attention to Detail
      

Creating notable architecture means managing, and then executing, the finest of details. Tweaking a bunker edge, triple checking putting surface grades, inching down a green tie-in, sloping a tee… all are the pieces that, when done well, increase the sophistication of a design.

Nailing the details depends on two things: 1) great communication with your construction team, and 2) not settling for “good enough”.  As the architect, nothing beats the feeling of walking away from a project knowing it will look and play exactly as you envisioned it.

On that note… here are a few sneak peek looks at our renovation work at Mesa CC! We’ve been working hard to get the details right for their members - sprigging of the greens begins next week!! Thanks to Greg, Juan, Cory, and the entire Total Turf crew for their efforts thus far!  

Enjoy your summer! And, please continue to keep in touch - I love hearing from you all.
     
     

Andy Staples, ASGCA

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