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When it comes to playing a round of golf, there are many aspects about the course, and golf course design, that the average golfer doesn’t think about. Whether it’s the freshly cut fairways, the depth and type of sand filling the bunkers or the design of the greens, most golfers don’t read too much into it.
If you take a look at some of the most well known courses around the world, you’ll notice some similarities in the shapes and designs of the greens that add to the course’s charm and appeal. While there are many outliers, there are four main green types that you will consistently see.
The most popular green design types are:
- Redan
- Biarritz
- Punchbowl
- Switchback
Redan Style Green
The Redan style green is one of the most famous designs in golf course architecture. A Redan green typically has a left to right oriented slope with a long bunker hugging the left side of the green. It can also be switched around (reversed Redan) with a right to left oriented slope with the treacherous bunker guarding the right side of the green.
Although Redan greens can be found all around the course, they are typically designed for a par 3 hole. The par 3’s that they are placed on are about 170-240 yards calling for a longer iron off the tee. In addition to the right to left slope, the whole green also slopes from the front to back causing a low trajectory shot to be quite difficult. Since a long iron fits the distance of the hole, this can make it very hard for a golfer to keep the ball on this style green.
Biarritz Style Green
Just like the Redan, Biarritz style greens are typically placed on long par 3’s that range between 210-240 yards. Due to the long distance of the hole, it can make it difficult for a player to hit such accuracy with a longer club. Although this is true, the Biarritz green is normally very large in size meaning it gives golfers a mighty target. Besides the gigantic size of the green, it also has other distinctive characteristics such as narrow bunkers surrounding both the left and right sides of the green and a valley placed directly in the center of the putting surface.
Although the long green shape makes it easier for a player to hit, placement of your shot is very key. If the ball lands on the opposite side of the gully, it will be a tough putt all the way down and back up the ridge to make it to the hole. If aiming for a birdie on this whole, sticking your shot on the correct side of the ridge is very important.
Punchbowl Green Design
Unlike the Redan and the Biarritz, the Punchbowl green is a much simpler design. Instead of slopes that take the ball all over the green, the Punchbowl is a massive bowl that funnels all shots toward the center of the green where the pin is most likely placed. This type of green can be seen all around the course no matter the par. The Punchbowl makes approach shots from longer irons and woods much more manageable and make the final resting spot of the ball better than the shot’s initial landing point
Although this type of green design is very common, you will most likely only see them on older courses. The Punchbowl was great when it came to keeping the green in good condition. The slopes of the green would gather more rain that would help with maintenance. Newer courses on the other hand no longer need this type of green due to the new and advanced irrigation systems causing new architecture to pursue without them.
Switchback Green Design
The switchback green design calls for a little more shot planning than your average green. This style green is usually located on par 4s and 5s and to ensure a good hole, your tee shot needs to be on point. This type of hole encourages a certain shot type off the tee and then the opposite type of shot for your approach to the green. For example, there is normally an obstacle off the tee such as trees that require a draw to avoid them. From there, you might be forced to hit a slight fade due to hazards on the right such as water and deep bunkers.
This green design affects the entire play and strategy of the hole. Do to this, any hole with this green type is usually a challenge to your average golfer.
Final Effect
Although green shapes, sizes, and designs vary across every golf course, there are a few that are seen most frequently. In golf, a 3 foot putt is just as important as your drive. Since this is true, we can see how the in depth details of a greens design can tremendously affect a players final score. With this, it is very important to strategize your approach into these greens. Slope, hazards, distance, and pin placement all have a major effect on how a player should work their way around a green type. It’s up to the player to understand what green they are approaching and analyze how they want to play the shot.