So You Just Played a Great Golf Hole…
I’ve been lucky enough to have played my fair share of world-class golf courses in my life, along with some golf courses that are forgettable. From the east coast to the west, from the north to the south, I’ve seen enough to offer my opinion on this topic.
So what actually makes a golf hole great? Is it optionality? Difficulty? Scenery? I weighed the options and characteristics that contribute to great golf holes.
Here’s what I think:
Difficulty - No great hole is easy, and no great hole is unfair. It must reward great shots and punish bad ones. It must be balanced.
Strategy - Think about the road hole at St. Andrews, one of the best on the planet. The more of the hotel you hit it over, the closer you are the hole and the better angle you have. The bail out left is safe, but leaves you in the tall fescue and a bad look at the green. It’s brilliant. Some of my favorite holes on the planet are “boundary” holes, where the closer your tee shot lands to OB, the better the angle at the green. Great holes have a similar risk/reward profile.
Scenery/Use of Natural Land- Can’t be overlooked. The use of natural contours and land movement leads to memorable shapes of greens and fairways, and often feels the most fun to play. If you’ve ever walked onto a course and thought about how little dirt was likely moved to build it, you’re going to have a fun time. (Many links courses). 7 and 8 Pebble stick out here as well. Just a perfect plot of land to create two of the best holes in the world.
Optionality - Excluding the great one-shotters out there, can you hit different clubs off of the tee? Can you replay the hole hundreds of times and never get bored? This comes from a combination of great options off the tee and an awesome green complex that requires different types of shots to different types of pins.
Greens - All great holes will have a superb green complex. Not up for debate.
Visual Intimidation - Think about 18 at Pebble or 16 at Cypress. From the tee to green, are you a little scared standing over every shot? Does your heart rate spike by a few bpm? The great holes are not a walk in the park, and should induce a feeling of uncertainty even for the best players. As a reminder, poor shots will be punished on the greatest holes.
Architect Spotlight: William Langford
Few names in golf architecture remain as quietly influential as William Langford. Working primarily in the 1910s through the 1940s, Langford’s work is often overshadowed by more publicized contemporaries like Donald Ross or Alister MacKenzie. Yet those who study the classic era understand his unique touch and bold vision.
Langford, often in partnership with Theodore Moreau, brought a distinct style that blended strategic brilliance with striking landforms. His greens were often elevated and deeply contoured, demanding both imagination and execution. His bunkering echoed the muscular features of Seth Raynor, but with a flair that was uniquely his own.
Courses like Lawsonia Links in Wisconsin stand as testament to his talent. Others include Maxinkuckee Country Club in Indiana, Wakonda Club in Iowa, and Harrison Hills in Indiana. Each bore his signature movement and bold features. Despite limited machinery, these courses were built with scale, rhythm, and purpose.
What’s remarkable is how well Langford’s designs continue to challenge and charm players today. His routing was purposeful, his shaping dramatic yet grounded, and his understanding of golf’s architectural principles profound.
Langford deserves more recognition. His best work reflects a deep respect for the game and the land, offering players a golf experience that is both thoughtful and unforgettable.
Etiquette Tip
Learning how to walk on greens with golf spikes is an important skill, and one I see overlooked frequently by newer players. We don’t drag our shoes across the putting surface. We walk lightly, carefully, and never in another players line.
On another note, do our current modern shoes disturb greens more than the metal spikes did? Is it time to bring back metal spikes?
Breaking 80
Wedge Ladder Drill (30-45 minutes)
Objective: Improve distance control and accuracy with wedges to set up birdie chances and save pars.
Setup: At a practice range or short-game area, place markers (or use the ones available to you) at ten yard intervals. Practice using different clubs like a pitching wedge, gap wedge, and sand wedge.
Drill:
Hit 5 balls to each target distance, aiming to land within 5 yards of the marker. Focus on varying swing lengths (e.g., half, three-quarter) to control distance.
Alternate clubs for each set to mimic on-course scenarios.
Score 1 point per ball within 5 yards; aim for 15/20 points.
Add pressure: Simulate a must-make par by picking one target and hitting until 3 balls land within 5 yards consecutively.
Why It Works: This drill hones distance control, builds confidence in approach shots, and mirrors strategic play on architecturally demanding holes.
A Quick Note on Tuxedo Attire
We are in the midst of wedding season, and I’ve seen my fair share of posts of guys in their tuxedo’s for the special occasion. Some of the time they look great, some of the time I notice some glaring fashion faux pas.
Shoes - Proper Tuxedo shoes are patent black leather shoes, like this, or velvet slippers. Shoes like these are not patent leather, and therefore cannot be worn with a tuxedo. Personally, I’m a velvet slipper guy, you can check these out here. I own that exact pair, and can’t say a bad word about them. I’m a huge fan of the slipper, I think it looks great with a tux. Regardless, invest in a good pair, especially if you’re 27-29. The wedding years are upon you, and you need to have the tux outfit dialed.
Clip-on Ties - Do not ever wear a clip on. Go to youtube dot com and spend the two minutes to learn how to tie a real bowtie. After all, you are literally reading a publication called BowTiedGolf, written by an internet cartoon wearing a bowtie. Self-tied bowties that are slightly askew are the way to go, I promise.
Weird Neon bowties and matching vests - Nope. Wear a black cummerbund or order a custom Smathers one if you are so inclined. I’ve never been a fan of the vest with a tux, especially when its not black.
Etiquette Guide
I have been working to codify my knowledge of private clubs over the past few weeks. While I drop a few pieces of alpha here and on twitter, I’m writing a full-blown guide on Gumroad for those serious about learning how to play the game the right way, or even teaching your kids proper manners and etiquette in a high-end country club environment.
I will be adding to it over time, and as I do the price will only go up.
Thanks for reading, and talk soon,
BTG
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