Hey John,
First off, though I know you're an incredibly busy guy, I want to thank you for all the time you've taken over the years to field questions on here. I've been helping with the design of a local course, and have read anything and everything I can find (including this entire thread) about your take on course design. I see it's been a while since your last response, so I thought I would throw one up for the next time you come around; it's a bit of a different question though.
I realize this isn't about course design per se, but thought you might have some wisdom to share.
I've been wanting to get into design for quite some time. I get more thrill from the design process than playing anymore. While I've helped with a private course design, and have come up with alternative designs (to existing baskets) on a couple 9 holers in the area, I've not had the opportunity to help in the initial install for a public course. That may be changing soon, but I'm running into some obstacles which are more interpersonal than political/topographical/etc.
We have an older guy that's been a primary designer for most courses installed in the area in the last decade. While he's done a great job, his courses all have a signature "style" (as one would expect) and many of us in the area would like to see a course with a bit of a different "feel" to it--a bit more on the longer, mid 60's par golf side. The issue is, when a new course is in the works, he's the first person getting involved in the process. I totally get it; nobody will argue he's "the guy" in our neighborhood for design and a wealth of knowledge.
However, few of us younger guys (some of our younger club members and myself) want to start gaining some experience, and we're not sure how to go about it. Whenever a new course is approved, whether he's asked or not, he goes about putting together a master layout. While this would be fine as part of a larger collaboration with multiple design proposals, there is this group-think response to his designs that say, well since he's doing this a while, his design must be best. There is seldom any instance where other people are putting together designs, or in the few instances they do, his are adopted without much discussion because of the experience he's gained.
I should be clear--this hasn't happened to me or a design I've proposed--but I am working with him on this current design project. My fear (relevant or not) is that my ideas will get steam-rolled. I already had this happen, to small degree, during a walk-through of the property with this older guy. We met up and showed each other our design ideas, then walking the property, most of the discussion was about his hole ideas and basically dismissed my concept for the course.
I know I'm green and have a lot to learn, but I also feel confident that this is something I can be good at with practice. I need the support of the existing guru though, and don't feel I have it. I'm a bit lost as how to get it too.
I say all this to ask: Do you have any thoughts on how to "break-in" to design? Further, do you have any specific ideas on how to gain the support of my more experienced design partner? (FWIW, there are 1-2 more that will be involved in the design process, but they have yet to develop a layout proposal and may not even get to it).
I understand that his concepts may be better than my own, but I don't know how to get him to entertain new ways of looking at holes. Many of his courses have this very signature feel to them, and there's a growing consensus that we could use new perspectives. I'm in a position to influence, but want to do it in a strategic way.
Thanks in advance!