Even though at the moment there is no definition of “fairway” in the rules of golf, the view of many players when it comes to the concept of a normal top class golf course is that it should be longer than 6.300 meters, have two par-5 and two par-3 on each nine hole, and have well-defined fairways with perfect positions for the lie of the ball. Furthermore, that the greens are visible from the fairway, that the speed of the greens is the same for all 18, that the greens are large on the long holes and small on the short holes, that the sand in the bunkers is uniform, etc.
What happened to the original essence of golf? In its origins, golf was a course full of hazards on a natural plot of land, where some shots were played by intuition and hope, as the layout did not always clearly define the path to the flag, where the golfer was required to have ability, courage, self-control, strategy, proof of the their character and spirit, etc. Originally, the golfing plot of land offered intrigue, mystery, solutions for problems and the possibility of being creative, testing the golfer beyond their limits…
One that still preserves this spirit is the British Open, which now wants to be known simply as The Open. Its opponent, even though this seems radical, would be the Augusta National and similar courses. Although, perhaps with its counterpart to The Open in the last US Open at Chambers Bay, they want to change this.
These old Open links continue to resist the passage of time, providing fascination and top-level appeal. Just the same as in real life itself, a great golf course should present hazards and difficult situations, where some are visible and others are not, allowing the golfer to contemplate strategies to avoid them. And where the most direct path to the flag becomes more complicated than expected because there are hazards that weren´t visible at the start but which then appear at random on the way to the final target. A list of unexpected situations that test you and force the best out of you in that precise moment when they appear, where some options seem safe from afar but later present such ingenious complications that you wonder how you managed to get yourself into this predicament. And where there are hazards that seem difficult but later become quite playable. And, on the other hand, hazards that seems easy to manage but later are revealed as disastrous.
The opposite of the spirit are courses that define the whole path to the flag. With no level of mystery or complicated hazards. With beautiful and well defined fairways all the way to the hole. On a land surface that has been normalized and is predictable, where just about everything is limited to a good swing. Easy and comfortable, but lacking personality and mystery. With no strategy, courage, ability or self-control required.
Even environmental issues are respected hundred times more in this original essence of golf. These days golf courses are required to have environmental certificates. And why not golfer as well? Those players who demand perfectly green courses of a similar tone and uniformity are at the same time those who show least respect for the environment.
This has always been a sport played in a complex natural setting that lives alongside a thousand environmental elements, from the complex microbial life in the ground, and insects, infestations, fungus, diseases, weeds, algae and animals, to trees, native plants, turf species, weather conditions, etc.
Is a golfer less respectful of the bio-diversity of their surroundings than a mountain hiker? Interestingly, and perhaps without meaning to, rustic and low-budget courses are probably the most respectful of the environment.
Finally, like life itself, everything comes down to personal taste. Some like to sail on sailboats because they believe it is more genuine; others prefer convenience of a motorboat. I work at Los Arqueros Golf, which was designed by a philosopher of “The Open” and where you can sense the flavor of this original essence.
Ulf Svendsen
Golf Manager of Los Arqueros
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