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Most Beautiful Holes Course sponsored by Glenmorangie

• SweetiePie 4,925 Posts

  Tue, Dec 9 2014 8:57 PM

  papagrasutu:

  Like Pinehurst 18 is beautiful, because Payne Stewart gave it meaning beyond how it looks.

  Isn't that touching, yet beautiful all in one memory....

  I am pleased to see this important thread come up again: it has such a strong potential to become something of great value. Hopefully the team at WGT will consider this idea of yours with creativity and an earnest heart.  ~ SP ~  

• alanti 10,564 Posts

  Wed, Dec 10 2014 11:41 AM

  It is very hard to define the "most beautiful" holes in terms of golf.

  If it means picturesque, then there are a number of WGT holes that would be contenders, but in my opinion, this would exclude the links courses.

  Many would say the links "rugged beauty" might put them into contention and as mentioned beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

  As much as I idolised Payne Stewart, I am not sure if this would be a reason for contention. Another scenario is playing in a group with SP, strong winds and a short skirt......as much as I am sure I would enjoy the game, would it then necessarily rate as a beautiful course? Stunning vistas perhaps! :)

  You could have the most picturesque course that is just a pitch and putt; would this be worthy of contention?

  Beauty coupled with difficulty must come into the equation - like a woman, beauty and brains is a must (although I am certain Mr Stroker will deny this lol).

  Each time I have played the Old Course I have had goose bumps walking to the first tee but none of the holes would rank for me, and that is in no way demeaning the course. Not sure how I would handle walking up to the tee at Augusta, a quivering mess no doubt lol.

  I have been lucky to play some great courses around the world, some with stunning memories, but most courses are so different quantifying beauty is too difficult.

  The word beauty is too contentious as often with "beauty" we are not objective.

   

   

• papagrasutu 2,482 Posts

  Wed, Dec 10 2014 12:05 PM

  Interesting reading, Alanti, obviously any list of courses like this would be subjective, just as the Famous holes course is subjective.  My original idea if you read it was to go by Glenmorangie's list from last summer, and see how many courses would get on board for just one hole to be mapped, if they then had the free advertising of having a "most beautiful hole on WGT".  Others then added perhaps if there were problems with that, a Most beautiful holes of the courses that we have might have value as well, and I agree.  Easy enough, make it a fun survey for WGTer's to complete, and let the winning holes stand for the course.  My point is that one of the things that makes golf unique is that people want to play a course BECAUSE it is beautiful...the beauty is part of the experience, and has become part of the game.  Would Augusta or Pebble Beach be as renowned if they were not as physically beautiful?  There are times that I I want to be challenged here, and I will play Best of Par 4's or Hardest Holes.  Other times I like looking at the scenery, and yes, even in virtual golf, and I turn up the sound so I can hear the wind and the seagulls, and the crack of club hitting ball.  Golf is a sport that is fundamentally rooted in beauty...they can't be separated.  Anyhow, again, the idea has merit for WGT whether they go the cheap route of putting together a "Best of" course of what we have, or whether they could be more ambitious as I first suggested.

• alanti 10,564 Posts

  Wed, Dec 10 2014 12:46 PM

  Hi Papa,

  Yes I did read the OP, and sadly it will not happen, as the cost of mapping holes individually (travel, accommodation, rights etc) will be cost prohibitive.

  Going back to exposure, some time ago there was thisarticle with courses wanting WGT exposure.

  I suppose like us all, we want more stroke play courses, and the production has really stalled over the last couple of years. Best of's what we already have are OK and add some variation, they are not new. Yes they are subjective and even to the point of the holes they choose, but if we all liked the same thing, life would be pretty dull.

  They did do a survey for the Bandon Dunes, or 9 holes thereof by memory. This has not arrived and regardless how good it is, I will not play it as the thought of a par three course leaves me for dead.

  I too love looking at the scenery on here, especially the panned views that give you glimpses of what you did not see or reminders of what you did see as I have played 2 courses on WGT in real life, and these are things that make WGT special. I travel a lot less now, but I would go out of my way to play any WGT (except RSG) having played them on here.

  Some courses that may (or did) want inclusion in this game may not be suitable (too easy or short) but what exposure this game could give to these clubs that have been hit with the financial turmoil..

  But WGT do not share their vision with us....that is top secret

   

• SweetiePie 4,925 Posts

  Wed, Dec 10 2014 1:12 PM

  alanti:

  It is very hard to define the "most beautiful" holes in terms of golf.

  Isn't that the truth...in my first post here, I indicated Wolf Creek # 9 as my choice of a hole we now have here... Ah, but why ?

  My eyes see the rugged, hostile, deadly nature of the Nevada desert. and it is somehow strangely surrounded by water, grass and folage. Two complete strangers.

  My nose is dry and free of impediments and enjoy the unique smell of the enviorment that can be had only the desert

  My ears hear nothing much, only the light breeze or perhaps a "road-runner" on the move....it's quiet..very quiet

  My heart is pounding...really pounding. Last swing. If I wasn't on a really hot game with the first 8 holes, I wouldn't even be standing here. More pounding. This hole is a real bugger...wrong club...could be 40 feet short, could be rocks. Early hit ~H20~ , Late hit also wet. 220 yards down hill and the wind means anything can happen....cause it does , lol. OK, time to roll...and Bingo! a dinger, correct club, correct aim, correct volume..ACE!!!

  Of course I saved it...better still, Andyson saw it and worked his awesome magic and made a replay of it with Mount Rushmore up in the rocks with the Presidents clapping as the ball went in.....It was "beautiful"..... to me  

• papagrasutu 2,482 Posts

  Wed, Dec 10 2014 6:31 PM

  Looks like a movie star, and writes like a poet.  Well said SP!

• alanti 10,564 Posts

  Fri, Dec 12 2014 1:57 AM

  SweetiePie:

  enjoy the unique smell of the enviorment

  Odd how a sense like smell can instantly invoke memories, even on a golf course.

  I played a course recently, a slight dank musky smell instantly transported me back to my days in Hong Kong.

  The smell of Jet A makes me fell at ease and at home and the dry non-polulled air and I feel uneasy............guess I was never destined to be a country boy.

  BUT there is a course in South Australia, and it's main industry is orange growing. All irrigated water is recycled orchard water. The scent of an orange reminds me of that course....even though it was not a great course.

  So a valid point SP, senses are an integral part of defining "beauty", even on a golf course.

• dandycap 1,828 Posts

  Sun, Dec 14 2014 10:24 AM

      Thank you SweetiePie for reminding me of where I grew up.     That was near the ocean, just outside of Boston.    When the east wind blew, one could smell the salt air for hours.   Great stimulant!     At low tide, one could smell  the mud flats.    Brought back memories of clamming.   In the spring, I could smell the fish  (yes I could).   Off fishing for cod, flounder and striper.   Fog, ships horns, seagulls all made that a beautiful atmosphere.    Now I buy a fish fillet sandwich at McDonalds and hopefully play more golf at.....  see below                                                                                                                                                                                ----  just dandy           

• papagrasutu 2,482 Posts

  Fri, Dec 19 2014 10:38 AM

  Well, the beautiful views at Bandon would definitely qualify for a few of the holes on a Most Beautiful holes at WGT course.  My fav is Bandon Dunes #6.

• papagrasutu 2,482 Posts

  Fri, Jul 24 2015 5:11 PM

  How about a bump on this thread, to get WGT's attention?  Since I last posted, we have added some beautiful holes at Chambers Bay, certainly we have enough here to put a beautiful holes course together.  why not have players here vote on it?   that would add some fun too.  all the best, Paul