Fast greens have always been a point of pride for many golf clubs, with golfers often equating the speed of greens with the quality of the course. However, architect Brian Schneider questions the importance of ultra-fast greens in good course design. He argues that extreme green speeds do not necessarily make the game more interesting or fun. In fact, Schneider believes that fast greens can actually slow down the game and make it less interesting for players. He points out that flattening greens to increase speed can impact the strategy of the game, as players no longer need to consider their position in the fairway or their misses around the green.
Schneider also highlights the impact of fast greens on hole locations, particularly for good players. While faster greens may make scoring easier for skilled golfers, they also reduce the number of pin locations available, making holes less interesting. Additionally, older clubs may have to reshape or regrade their original greens to support higher green speeds, potentially losing something of historic value in the process. Despite these drawbacks, many golfers still prefer fast greens due to ego-driven factors, such as the desire to boast about playing on fast greens or the influence of the Stimpmeter.
Schneider emphasizes that a great set of greens does not have to be fast to be great, interesting, or fun. He believes that having slightly slower greens that are more varied and interesting can enhance the overall golfing experience. Schneider advocates for firm greens as the key to interesting golf, rather than simply focusing on speed. This approach prioritizes firmness and smoothness over extreme speed, creating a challenging and engaging playing environment for golfers of all skill levels.
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