Architect Steve Smyers, known for designing golf courses such as Old Memorial in Florida and Maridoe in Dallas, discusses the impact of rough on golf ball spin and scoring in an interview with Golf Digest. He highlights the importance of light rough, which affects the spin and launch angle of the ball, especially for elite players like Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy. Smyers notes how the USGA’s boxed groove ruling in 2010 changed the dynamics of hitting the ball out of the rough and controlling spin.
As the game has evolved, Smyers explains that putting surfaces have become firmer and faster, making scoring for elite players about controlling spin and launch angle. Light rough introduces uncertainty and imprecision, impacting strategy and course management. He emphasizes the significance of driving accuracy in golf, recalling advice from Ben Hogan about the importance of driving well to attack the golf course, rather than being attacked by it when driving poorly.
Smyers advocates for a graduated rough system for major tournaments to penalize players according to their misses. He believes in prioritizing driving accuracy and using light rough to challenge players to manage their way out of difficult situations. Design elements like putting surfaces and hole locations play a key role in rewarding fairway shots and putting rough shots at a disadvantage, without making it impossible for players to recover.
Smyers suggests that average or below-average golfers can benefit from rough that only goes up to the equator of the ball, allowing them to navigate around the course with more flexibility. He highlights the importance of providing openings for all types of golfers to maneuver the course effectively. He argues against deep rough, emphasizing the need to keep players moving and prevent them from spending time searching for lost balls.
In modern golf course architecture, Smyers believes that short rough is underutilized and recommends growing rough to the point where the top of the golf ball is exposed, providing a challenge for players without hindering gameplay. He stresses that ankle-deep rough is not necessary to control scoring and suggests a more strategic approach to course design that benefits all levels of golfers. Overall, Smyers emphasizes the balance between challenging players and creating an enjoyable golfing experience for all.
