Episode 151: Golf Course Design - Likes and Dislikes

In this episode, we dive into the endlessly debated world of golf course design—breaking down the features golfers love, hate, and love to argue about. From there, we split the show into a “Front 9” and “Back 9,” exploring some of golf architecture’s most fascinating topics. On the Front 9, we tackle classic vs. modern design philosophies, bunkering styles, and the ongoing debate between restoring historic courses and renovating them for today’s game. Using courses we've played, we share personal examples that highlight why certain design choices resonate with us. On the Back 9, we shift to strategic attributes and player experience—from the best template holes to the fairness of wild green complexes, the purpose of water hazards, and what makes a routing truly memorable. We dig into walkability, playability vs. difficulty, the value of the ground game, and what defines a great finishing stretch. To wrap up, we share some of our all-time favorite courses we’ve played—like Panmure, North Berwick, Tobacco Road, and Pinehurst—and dream out loud about the bucket-list courses we hope to experience one day, including Cypress Point, St. Andrews, and Royal Melbourne. Whether you’re a designer at heart or just a golfer who loves the craft behind the game, this episode is packed with thoughtful debates, personal stories, and a celebration of what makes great golf courses unforgettable. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #: 2227748