Trevor Ng
Reversible golf courses are gaining popularity among modern resort developers, with courses being designed to be played in either direction. This concept is not entirely new, with some courses such as the Boston Corners Golf Club embodying reversible principles through multiple teeing angles per hole and multi-use greens. The recent trend has also extended to flipping the nines, where the order of the holes is reversed, providing a fresh challenge and perspective for golfers. This practice has been employed by several notable courses, including Augusta National and St. Patrick's at Rosapenna. While some golfers embrace the change, others may find it confusing, especially when it alters the original design intent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reversing nines in golf | Flipping the nines of his links |
| Changing the numbering of the holes | |
| Routing sequence alteration | |
| Finishing the game closer to the clubhouse | |
| Making the opening holes tougher |
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What You'll Learn
Flipping nines for tournaments
Flipping nines is a common practice in golf tournaments, where the order of holes is reversed to create a new course layout. This practice is often done for strategic reasons, such as accommodating spectators or providing a different challenge for golfers. For example, the Olympia Fields Country Club's North Course outside Chicago flipped nines for the 2003 US Open, and the Papago Golf Club in Phoenix did the same for the 2009 J Golf Phoenix LPGA International.
Flipping nines can also be done to improve the use of space, especially on smaller golf courses. For instance, the Boston Corners Golf Club, which is located on the corner where Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York converge, was designed as a 9-hole course with multiple tees and multi-use greens, allowing it to be played as an 18-hole course. This design maximized the use of the 75-acre farmland on which it was built.
Some golf course architects, such as Tom Doak, prefer to flip nines during the early stages of construction rather than after the course has been open for a while. Doak believes that renumbering holes can be confusing for golfers who have already memorized the hole numbers. However, flipping nines is often done temporarily for tournaments, with the original hole order restored afterward.
The practice of flipping nines is part of a larger trend in golf course design known as "reversible golf." This concept involves creating golf courses that can be played in either direction, providing two different experiences on the same layout. The Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation in Atlanta is a notable example of this, featuring a 9-hole layout that can be played backward. Reversible golf is gaining steam among modern resort developers and is seen as a way to maximize the use of space and provide varied experiences for golfers.
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$19.99
Changing the course's numbering
The concept of reversible golf courses is gaining popularity among modern resort developers. Changing the course numbering, or "flipping the nines", involves altering the sequence of holes to be played in reverse, starting from the 9th hole and ending at the 1st hole. This practice can be traced back to the early days of golf and is considered a retro movement in golf development.
There are several reasons why a golf course might consider changing the course numbering. One reason is to accommodate tournaments and spectators. For example, during the 2003 U.S. Open, the Olympia Fields Country Club's North Course outside Chicago flipped nines to provide a more spectator-friendly experience. Similarly, the Eagle Bend Golf Course in Kansas made a similar change for a Futures Tour in 2005, allowing aspiring LPGA Tour pros to finish closer to the clubhouse for a more convenient and scenic conclusion to the tournament.
Flipping the nines can also provide a fresh perspective on the course, offering two distinct aspects of scenery. For instance, the Boston Corners Golf Club, which opened in 1988, featured a nine-hole course with multiple tees and multi-use greens that could be played as an 18-hole course, providing golfers with a varied experience.
In some cases, reversing the nines can be a practical solution to safety concerns. Architect Stephen Kay, when designing a golf course on 75-acre farmland in upstate New York, opted for a nine-hole course that could be played as an 18-hole course to ensure safer playing margins, especially if the property were to be sold and used for public play.
While changing the course numbering can offer benefits, there are also potential drawbacks. Golf course architect Tom Doak expressed his preference for maintaining the original numbering, stating that golfers memorise holes by their numbers, and changing them can lead to confusion. Additionally, altering the sequence of holes can disrupt the intended difficulty level and flow of the course, as seen at Calderone Farms in Michigan, where flipping the nines resulted in a challenging opening stretch of holes.
Ultimately, the decision to change the course numbering should carefully consider the potential advantages and disadvantages, respecting the original design philosophy while adapting to the needs of golfers, tournaments, and the surrounding environment.
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Architect Bill Newcomb's original vision
Reversible golf courses are gaining popularity among modern resort developers, harkening back to the game's roots. Architect Bill Newcomb's original vision for Calderone Farms in Michigan was altered when they flipped its nines, which made the opening five holes tougher than intended. Newcomb had worked with famed designer Pete Dye, whose philosophy was that holes 10 through 14 should be the hardest on the course, as that's where matches were often won and lost.
Reversible golf courses offer two different aspects of scenery and maximize the use of space. They are designed to be played in either direction, with double-ended ranges, multi-use greens, and multiple tees. The Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation in Atlanta is an example of a reversible layout, featuring nine double greens with two cups and flags, playable from seven sets of tees ranging from 3,164 yards to 7,349 yards.
The concept of reversible golf courses is not new, with some courses like Augusta National, the Olympia Fields Country Club, and the Papago Golf Club having reversed their nines for tournaments or permanently. Flipping the nines can be done for strategic reasons or to accommodate spectators. For example, the Eagle Bend Golf Course in Kansas flipped nines during a Futures Tour in 2005 so that players would finish on the ninth green, which was closer to the clubhouse and had fewer trees for better viewing.
While some courses are well-suited to flipping nines, others may not be, as it can confuse golfers who are used to remembering holes by their numbers. Architect Tom Doak, for instance, is not a fan of switching nines after a course has been open for a while, unless there is a significant redesign. Nonetheless, reversible golf courses offer a thoughtful, neo-classic golf experience that maximizes the use of space and provides varied scenery.
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Tom Doak approved flipping nines
Reversible golf courses are gaining popularity among modern resort developers, harkening back to the game's roots. The concept allows for two entirely different aspects of scenery and is a great way to maximise the use of a small parcel of land.
Tom Doak, a talented and imaginative golf course designer, has embraced this concept. He approved the flipping of the nines at St. Patrick's at Rosapenna in northwest Ireland, during the early stages of construction. However, he prefers to make such changes before the course opens, as golfers tend to remember holes by their numbers, and changing the numbering can cause confusion.
Doak's reversible 18-hole course for Forest Dunes Golf Club in Roscommon, Michigan, is hailed as revolutionary and unique. It is said to be North America's only 18-hole, fully reversible golf course, with 18 greens and 36 tees, played either clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the day.
The Loop, designed by Doak, challenges the conventional design process by creating a course that can be played from opposite directions, taking into account topography, hazard placement, green alignment, and contouring. This design philosophy is not limited to nine-hole configurations but is also applied to a full-sized 18-hole course.
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Flipping nines for spectators
Flipping nines is a concept that is gaining popularity among modern resort developers and golf course architects. It involves reversing the order of the holes on a 9-hole golf course, creating a new playing experience. This can be done to accommodate play in either direction, provide different scenery, or make better use of the space available.
For example, the Olympia Fields Country Club's North Course outside Chicago flipped nines for the 2003 U.S. Open, and the Eagle Bend Golf Course in Kansas did the same for a Futures Tour in 2005. In the latter case, the change was made to allow aspiring LPGA Tour pros to finish on the ninth green, which is closer to the clubhouse and has fewer trees for better viewing.
Flipping nines can also be done for strategic reasons, such as to make the course more challenging or to accommodate a specific tournament format. For instance, when Calderone Farms in Michigan flipped its nines, it made the opening five holes tougher, which some golfers may prefer to a challenging uphill finish.
Some golf course designers and players express concerns about flipping nines. Architect Bill Newcomb noted that flipping nines on his Calderone Farms course altered his original vision for the course. Golf course designer Tom Doak is also hesitant about the idea, stating that renumbering holes after the course has been open for a while can be confusing for golfers who are used to the original hole numbers.
Despite these concerns, the concept of reversible golf courses and flipping nines is gaining traction. It represents a return to the roots of the game and offers a thoughtful, neo-classic approach to golf course design. Flipping nines can provide a fresh perspective on a familiar course, create a more efficient use of space, and even enhance the spectator experience, as seen at the Eagle Bend Golf Course.
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Frequently asked questions
Reverse nines in golf refer to when a golf course changes the order of the last nine holes, making them the first nine, and vice versa.
Golf courses may reverse their nines for strategic reasons or to improve the spectator experience. For example, reversing the nines can make the final hole closer to the clubhouse, providing a better viewing experience for spectators.
Yes, several renowned golf courses have reversed their nines, including Augusta National, the Olympia Fields Country Club's North Course, and the Papago Golf Club.
The decision to reverse nines is subject to debate. Some believe it can improve the routing and experience for players and spectators. However, others argue that changing the hole numbers can confuse golfers who are accustomed to the original layout.
Reversing the nines is typically done during the construction phase or as part of a significant redesign. Making such changes after the course has been open for a while can be confusing for golfers who are familiar with the original hole numbers.
