You know when i'd heard about this course rating thing I was kinda concerned on how and WHO was rating the courses.
The ONLY way I could see fair course evaluations if if a few experienced seasoned golfers were to travel the globe and do this.(Yeah Right)
I didn't take the time to read everybodies posts but am sure this has got to be the most popular and discussed on the site.Duh?
I've seen several in my 30 plus years of golf.Played every type of T Pad,Every possible hole design.Terrain etc.
I knew that peoples opinions would be based on several things.(But obviously their course is gonna be the best LOL,Gotta get em there somehow right)
I've played courses designed by the so called best,Amatures and so on.
Here's how I evaluate a course,Ready?
Convienence from the parking lot.My favorite is the front 9 and back 9 being right there.I ALWAYS shoot for this if possible.Better be a practice basket sittin there too.
Restrooms and Pavillions are the only reason I don't give a 5 in most cases where I post a 4.I won't even post a 5 on any of my courses(Alma did just install new restrooms and has a nice Pavillion now)
Still won't get it from me because of Maintanance and it's MY course.
Shot Variations.Does it take every shot you have.Will you use every disc(Will you FINALLY have to learn how to throw a sidearm roller or nasty 360)I like courses that challenge you and make golfers out of Ams.
T Pads,Are they level,The right texture,Concrete is the best IMO and level with the ground(No step up or Drop off)
Signs,Can you find the pin,Next Tee.
Safety,Flow etc
Now i've played one that was setup by the numero uno and found several holes playing blindly over others teeing off,Walking way out of the way to maybe find the next T Box.Ridiculous lenghts(Long doesn't nessessarily mean good,Try Almas 126ft Devils Fork,That's Golf.
But since it was designed by this guy it's an automatic Home Run.Yeah right.
I just designed a course that plays 5,400 short and 8,000 long.(Arkadelphia Ar)Thing is your not walking any farther playing either layout and you can easily see or find the next T Box.
Now i've been guilty of laying out what SEEMED to be an inexperienced hole or two.(Alma)
The thing is every time i'd get where I wanted the MAYOR ate up some of my course.I was always chasing him around and fixing the course.But it's still a cool course and easy to follow.
Maybe after a few thousand evaluations and a few years of balancing out the averages we'll have a pretty fair evaluation of most courses.
Ben geren in Ft Smith is a nice flowing,Easy to follow,Read and PLAYABLE course.Concrete Pads,Alternate pin placements(Still walk the same distances A and B)Front and Back nine from the parking lot but still maybe a 4 because of Restrooms and Parking(Working on this)
Play Russellville Arkansas,My best work and favorite course.
Still a 4,No restrooms,No Alternates(Yet)
Plays every shot,Open,Wooded,5,800ft,Concrete Pads,Great Signs,Tons of natural OB,Some elevation.
I hope this site really enables people to get a real perspective on what courses are and what they can be in the future.
I like most am looking for that piece of land to leave a 5 rating on.(Could be Hot Springs if they'd just let me in there,Working on that too)
I have only rated half a dozen so far,Played many more and plan on rating a few each day.(Honestly)
Have fun folks.
Pitch.