talking points Let Us Now Praise Famous Courses

Phil Mickelson may not have won this year’s Scottish Open, but he came away from the event bubbling with appreciation for its venue. And he isn’t the only one: Castle Stuart Golf Links, which was co-designed Gil Hanse and Mark Parsinen and opened in 2009, is already ranked among the world’s top courses.

Here’s what Mickelson had to say about it, in remarks published by the Scotsman:

This is great golf course architecture. Most of the greatest holes that have ever been designed have been designed 60 to 100 years ago. I don’t see that type of greatness in a lot of modern-day architecture. But with Gil Hanse, that type of thought-provoking, fun golf course is being brought back.

Our modern-day architects have this feeling that equipment has changed the game and therefore they must make every hole long and hard and totally unplayable for the average player. And unfortunately, that has driven a lot of people away from the game of golf. I think it’s one of the leading reasons why a lot of participation has been down, because [their courses] are not fun. . . .

Hanse recognizes that golf is not about longer and harder. Longer and harder is just longer and harder. It’s monotonous and ultimately not very thought-provoking. [The game] is about fun and creativity, and it doesn’t have to beat you up all the time.

It should be a prerequisite to play Castle Stuart before you’re allowed to design courses nowadays.