What exactly does minimalism mean in the realm of golf course design?
Many contemporary designers often find themselves grouped together under one aesthetic label, even though they may produce quite distinct creations. The term minimalism is now used broadly to describe works crafted by renowned designers like Tom Doak, David McLay Kidd, Gil Hanse, along with the duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, among various others.
This term aims to differentiate itself from earlier golf course designers who preceded them. These predecessors heavily depended on large machinery and substantial amounts of soil movement—often measured in millions of cubic yards—to develop their designs. They often elevated greens well beyond the natural elevation around them, filled landscapes with numerous hazards, and meticulously shaped fairways using human intervention. Picture an abundance of artificial hills; think about multiple mounds scattered throughout. A significant number of courses constructed post-1960 attempted either to generate entirely new terrain where little existed previously or significantly modify whatever landscape was originally present.
On the other hand, minimalists seek out natural terrain features to enhance their designs, typically embracing how the landscape shapes the ball’s trajectory post-landing. Given that golf balls are spherical and will roll when permitted by the course design and conditions, minimalist courses often let these elements play a significant role.
Is it justifiable to categorize all of a designer’s creations under one label? Even among renowned architects, each project often reflects their distinct style rather than following a copy-and-paste approach. Should we apply the same descriptor—minimalism—to designs with vastly different layouts and characteristics across various parts of the world?
For his part, Doak is perfectly okay with it.
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The meaning of minimalism
“The concept of minimalism wasn’t my creation, but I appreciate it because it encourages making the most out of what we’re provided and reducing unnecessary interventions,” stated the designer responsible for iconic courses including Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon, Ballyneal in Colorado, and Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania, along with numerous others.
Recently, he has been involved with redesigning Pinehurst Number 10 in North Carolina along with the brief yet captivating Sedge Valley at Sand Valley in Wisconsin.
For Doak, it revolves around a particular philosophy. Instead of imposing his approach onto the course, he allows the natural characteristics of each location—especially those with hilly, solid, and sandy landscapes—to shape how the game should be played. This means refraining from forcefully altering the environment through extensive modifications.
When you’re developing a new golf course, constructing greens and their surrounding areas is typically essential,” he stated. “However, on an ideal location with natural slopes and proper drainage, minimal additional work would generally be required. There wouldn’t be a necessity for extensive ground excavation or soil relocation in the fairway regions. An effective layout plan ought to address these issues primarily.
When Doak departed from his position with Pete Dye to start his own firm, it seemed like quite a daring move back then. In 1989, his inaugural independent project was the High Pointe Golf Club in Michigan, where he nearly felt compelled to justify his low-profile design philosophy of keeping things close to nature.
Despite this, minimalism wasn’t entirely novel; it simply fell out of favor in the United States. In contrast, traditional link-style courses in Scotland, Ireland, and throughout the UK were inherently minimalist from every perspective. These early designs had to be simple because their creators lacked access to modern equipment like bulldozers during the late 1800s—imagine Old Tom Morris operating one! Instead, these pioneers would walk the land, identifying ideal spots for golf holes and making adjustments using only basic tools such as horse-drawn carts or manual laborers armed with shovels. For classic architects, constraints posed by rudimentary resources became enduring benefits cherished by enthusiasts of authentic links golf.
Tom Doak’s philosophy
Doak has returned to where he started, recently finishing up the refurbishment of High Pointe prior to its latest opening following an extended period of neglect. Throughout these years, what insights has he gained, and in what ways has his approach changed?
I believe my design philosophy has remained quite consistent throughout the past 35 years since I established High Pointe,” stated Doak. “However, my implementation has significantly improved, and I’ve become more adaptable, paying closer attention to clients’ initial input. This allows me to approach each new venture with a fresh perspective rather than repeating the same style universally. I prefer not to follow that route.
You know, I still believe that you shouldn’t penalize the typical golfer excessively from the tee to the green as it would be overly difficult for them. Therefore, the area where you should increase the challenge of the golf course, since players have a physical opportunity to handle it, is near the greens.
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It becomes most evident near the putting areas where a golf course truly takes shape. As players draw nearer to the pin, they can better appreciate the impact of a skilled designer. Even when employing minimal alterations with little land reshaping, an architect’s ingenuity shines through in how the greens are designed and in the contours leading up to them.
Between 50 and 80 percent of golfers tend to play quite a bit of their game with shots rolling along the ground,” Doak stated. “While they can manage some airborne hits, they struggle to control the ball as well as top players do once it lands. Therefore, how the ball behaves upon landing plays a crucial role in course design. Our aim is to create an engaging experience where those who frequently use grounded shots still stand a decent chance at getting the ball near the hole.
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Noted architect Tom Doak’s approach to minimalism: Renowned designer adheres to his principles and the essence of the sport.
