Ratings of a Golf Course
July 10th, 2007 by Olaf Bound.sRecently GolfNick received this question from one of my reader Umi in the Kuala Kubu Bharu post:
Golfnick, tell me more what would you expect of a golf course. From your experience on which course that you truly enjoyed your golf game most & why? — Umi, on Kuala Kubu Bharu, Malaysia
I was trying to reply and midway, I realized I’ve written long enough for a post. So I’ve decided make a post with the reply instead. After all, it is an interesting and engaging question. Thanks Umi.
Ah! Golf Courses…. how can we actually rate them? It’s a very good question actually! How does one rate a golf course? As they would say” one man’s spit is another man’s poison.” But let’s look at it from my perspective as an average weekend golfer as opposed to an actual golf professional. I supposed I should break it down into a few categories:
1. Cost- Aha! The all important factor to consider. Basically, if you purely look at it from a cost vs. playability factor. Everything changes! You can play in KKB for a measly RM45 for a round of 18, as opposed to paying RM 300++ for a round in the Mines Resort. What do you expect from a RM 300++ per round? Exclusivity and the name that goes with it! The buggies are in good condition, the service is excellent, great clubhouse facility and well kept fairways and greens. Of course it doesn’t mean that KKB is a slouch in that department, just don’t expect too much! You have the basic golf course which is the presiding factor.
2. Services- Regulated Tee Times, Club facilities, A Marshall (ha! ha!), a desk counter receptionist (who actually knows what is a tee time and what to expect from the course), a buggy that doesn’t break down and course condition for the day. Some clubs actually displays the speed of the greens for the day. Some are not bothered because the green speed varies from every green. And you are supposed to putt consistently?
I need to elaborate on this, personal preference though. Some clubs have patrolling marshals (they keep all the golfers in check to make sure that strict golf etiquette is observed). Why is this important? For one, safety. And two to make sure everybody can enjoy a good round of golf. Slow play can actually kill a good round. Raking the sand bunker is just as important!
3. Condition of the Course- in Malaysia, the weather is actually very conducive for golfing. We have 365 days without snow (which freezes the butts off) and heavy downpours (only some of the time). But it can also mean that the course has lesser time to rejuvenate its mint condition. Also the greens keeper has a fine time sleeping on the course rather than improving them. The conditioning part is theirs but the importance is actually on the part of the golfer. Mostly, repairing divots and ball marks! But overall, courses in Malaysia can improve in this area. Also, certain courses have soggy grounds after a heavy downpour and some can injure your wrists from creating a divot. So, green keepers WAKE UP!!!!
4. Course layout- now this is the interesting part for discussion! How do you rate the difficulty level of a course? Personally, I have played in many a course in Malaysia. But the question is how difficult is any one of this courses? I can only presume it as a personal like and dislike. For example, blind shots to the pin (means, when you tee off you can’t see the green or the pin). It’s designed this way! Accept it and play it as you can but I have fellow golfers who would deem it as unfair or unjust! But where is the challenge in golf if every one of them is a straight drive, 7 maybe 8 iron second shot to the green! The misconception of many a golfer is that the course must be in good condition and easy to score and make yourself happy. That’s totally not wrong BUT I would love to play Augusta and shoot 135 strokes and still be happy with my game! It’s a game and a fair one at that. I hope golfers should understand that!
Why do you think that courses around the world are paying good money for golf professionals to design the course! People like Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, etc…. are people who we have come to respect as good players who know just what it would take to create a great design for a course. Why? Because they have the experience of playing in very good ones and they know a good challenging hole when they play it!
5. Personal Preferences - Show me a golfer who regularly shoots a 24 over par and comes to a new course and shoots a 90 for 18 holes. That particular course is now his personal favorite. GUARANTEED! Or until he shoots lower in the next course, that is.
But for me, I believe a good golf course set up is particularly easy. As long as it has 18 holes and poses a good challenge for my game is a good course! If you are staying in Malaysia, check out this venue called UPM (University Putra Malaysia). It has a golf course but people use to call it a padang golf (golf field) rather than a golf course. But I like the course! Its never in pristine condition but to score well is exceptionally difficult. Other good courses to play in Malaysia;
1. Saujana Golf and Country Resort (KL)
2. Clearwater Golf Resort (Ipoh)
3. Legends (Somewhere in Johor)
4. Bukit Unggul (Bangi)
There are others, of course! Sorry but I haven’t played in some of the others and some, I just don’t fancy! But check some of them out! But until I find others, I’ll keep everyone posted!