The Art and Evolution of Golf Course Rankings: Unveiling Transformations and Evaluations
In the realm of golf, course rankings hold immense significance, guiding players and enthusiasts to exceptional golfing experiences. One influential ranking system that stands out is Golf Digest Course Rankings, which rigorously evaluates and rates golf courses. In this article (based on Steve Hennessey’s interview), we will explore the comprehensive and evolving nature of Golf Digest's course ranking system, shedding light on the intricacies behind evaluating different golf course styles and the impact of renovations and equipment advancements.
Steve Hennessey, Deputy Managing Editor at Golf Digest, brings over ten years of experience to his responsibility of overseeing the course rankings. Besides his editorial duties, Hennessey co-hosts the popular golf podcast, The Loop. He emphasizes the accessibility of golf-related content on various social media platforms, which complements the consumption of golf content from Golf Digest.
Golf Digest's course ranking system is built upon seven categories, including shot options, aesthetics, character, and conditioning. The magazine employs approximately 1900 course rankers across the United States and Canada who diligently evaluate courses based on these criteria. Each course is rated on a scale of one to ten, and the scores are aggregated every other year to produce the prestigious 100 Greatest Rankings and Best in State Rankings. This democratic process ensures a fair and unbiased evaluation.
To qualify for Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Rankings, a golf course must undergo evaluations at least 50 times within a ten-year cycle. The rankings, published biennially, incorporate evaluations from the previous decade. Recent evaluations hold more weight, while extreme outliers are excluded from consideration, ensuring that only the most deserving courses make it to the prestigious list.
Comparing golf courses with distinct architectural styles presents a significant challenge for Golf Digest's rankers. Each style, from classic Donald Ross designs to modern creations, demands a unique evaluation approach. Rankers establish an ideal score for each category and compare subsequent courses against that standard. By assessing shot options, for example, rankers can discern subtle differences between courses and differentiate them through precise decimal point scoring.
While top-ranking courses still predominantly belong to the revered Golden Age of golf architecture, a few newer courses have managed to make their mark. Friar's Head in New York and Sandhills in Nebraska are prime examples. However, the enduring quality of design and the ability to host major championships often contribute to the dominance of Golden Age courses. Perhaps older architecture is not doomed against modern technology and distance.
Modern technology and the increasing distance achieved by professional golfers have pushed golf courses to adapt. Renovations aim to preserve the integrity of the game and effectively challenge players. Architects like Gil Hanse have widened fairways to provide strategic options off the tee, while the defense of green complexes tests players' short game skills. Golf Digest acknowledges the impact of technology by rewarding courses with firm and fast conditions in their rankings.
As golf continues to evolve, so too will the course rankings. Club renovations, such as those at Wingfoot and Philadelphia Cricket Club, can propel golf courses up the rankings, showcasing the long-term benefits of transformations. Additionally, ongoing discussions about potentially rolling back equipment distances highlight the adaptability of the sport. While any adjustments to equipment regulations are unlikely to disrupt course rankings significantly, the future may hold a scenario where players at different levels utilize distinct sets of equipment, revolutionizing the game.
One interesting idea to consider is that of more international outreach. Though Golf Digest does have a World’s 100 Greatest Courses list to go along with their America’s 100 Greatest, it is far less internationally recognized and celebrated than it is in the United States. Perhaps, training new raters, in underrepresented parts of the world, like Asia, could draw recognition, tourists, and money to courses that could use the new revenue to improve their own systems. With the power rankings hold in today’s world, this seems like a fantastic way for Golf Digest to use theirs for good.
Golf course rankings, epitomized by Golf Digest's comprehensive evaluation process, continue to evolve alongside the ever-changing golfing landscape. Through renovations and advancements in equipment, golf courses strive to provide exceptional experiences to players of all levels. Golf rankings will have to continue to adapt to new course renovations and policy changes by golf’s governing bodies. However, by sticking to the democratic process they currently have, Golf Digest can surely continue its run of prestigious rankings, and perhaps even expand globally.