53 Rees Jones says that his layout at TPC Danzante Bay sees traditional strategic principles align naturally with the modern, data-driven approach Photo: Channing Benjamin every level. “All golfers can benefit from Broadie’s research and Fawcett’s Decade,” he says. “Mark Broadie’s research was based on the elite player’s golfing skills, but it also very much pertains to how the average golfer can better their game. What the Decade concept will do for them is improve their scores and help them read the golf courses better. This will help all golfers understand their shot dispersions and stop playing from point A to point B. According to the National Golf Foundation, 1.8 million new golfers joined the game from 2023 to 2024. If they understand the Decade principles, they will stay in the game and not get discouraged. Following this system will give the golfer more purpose with every shot, especially on a repetitive basis at their home course. “At my course TPC Danzante Bay in Loreto, Mexico, traditional strategic principles align naturally with the modern, data-driven approach to course management. The course was designed with generous playing corridors, clearly defined hazards and multiple routes to the green that allow the players to make decisions based on their own abilities and risk tolerance. Architects have to use the land as it lies and some holes are naturally not as conducive to the Decade concept, but they are few and far between. Decade principles make a round of golf more interesting and enjoyable for all golfers. If you can make a player think positively with each shot, they will strike it better.” Tim Lobb of Lobb + Partners also draws conclusions for recreational golf from the analytics movement. “At the top level, the knowledge of how far someone will hit a ball is extremely accurate and course mapping likewise is centimetre-accurate,” he says. “But I guess players of any ability still need to hit the shot they think they are capable of. The skill of golf design is creating golf features and hazards which could penalise or reward golfers in different ways according to their ability. “Angles off the tee are the first port of call to have this graded challenge response to design. The final response is the design of the greens which can give the superintendent the opportunity to set up courses as easy or hard as they like.” Lobb finishes with a thought that will surely be common to all golf architects. “Let’s hope that strategy is not dead,” he says. “Most golfers love the challenge and love to think.” STRATEGY
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