silly settings

[duncanmathieson]

just need to have a moan about some tour settings lately.
its crazy playing hard/hard 14 and pins set behind front bunkers. what is the point in that. surely one should consider placing pins in centre or back of greens, to have a fair chance of getting approach shot anywhere near the pin.
Also ,I thought it was agreed not to use certain gusty winds ,which are obviously way out of kilter with crazy effect on ball. But nope, still being used occasionally, and players giving up on completing rounds.
Please folks, think of what your setting ,and make it honest and fair for all.
Thats enough for now lol.
Disgruntled player here

[cubbies645]

welcome to my nightmare duck...:)

[Perculator]

I thought that you were one of the setters Dunc, am I wrong?

[Greensboronclion]

I setup league events for years at Links and one sure way to discourage play is what you said. I am all for tough rounds but when playing hard greens you can't tuck pins especially at 14 stump and by putting in middle of back you make them more accessible. The object of a setup is to make it as difficult as possible but being as fair as possible. In defense of those who setup it's not easy as you need to test pins and it is time consuming as you not only need to place them properly but make sure they are fair and and not on crowns. I believe the people that setup events do a pretty good job and are mostly fair but sometimes setups are done imo to keep scoring down from the guys that go super low every week but in the end it really can screw a setup up. It's a win lose situation and I feel for those that setup events as you will never please all.

[davefv92c]

the key to it is , is whoever is doing the setting they need to test the settings they are planning to
put up prior to posting the tourney. i always thought some of the setters where just clicking away and not taking the time to test
that is the key to setting good tourneys, not just throwing them out there. not meant to insult anyone just my take on it.
when i was setting them i always tested so i would never see any threads like this one.

[Perculator]

Whenever I see Hard Hard 14 I usually just accept that the setter has given up for comfort. We all have to play the same conds, if that is any consolation.

[Affo]

some pins you just can't attack, you just play to a good spot on the green. same for all.

[bobfletch]

I must have masochistic tendencies because the tougher the challenge, fair or not, the more I like it. I certainly don't have a problem with pins tucked behind bunkers and hard greens, etc. I also don't have a problem when it is difficult to notch up a few birdies in a round. Surely it all comes down to adapting your course management skills in order to achieve a respectable score?! Just my thoughts...

[terbal]

tough conditions just play into the top players hands. its no fun for the average player and fun is what its all about I think? I dont give two hoots if the top players shoot very very low scores its just nice for the average player to get a few birdies to encourage them to play more. tough greens effect average players more because top players somehow seem to hit it close most times. Good luck to them but they play a different game to me so not bothered what they score. dont you get bored?

[Affo]

No, the challenge is still there. until the days comes when on a tough setup birdie/eagle is made every hole, there is always a challenge. Some courses just need more thought than others.

You hear on the tele the commentators describing how the players aim for areas to get the best possible putt rather than attacking pins, that all that has to happen in this game, rather than target golf, it's course management.

We have had some easier setups recently which the scores show, this week is supposed to sort of mirror the Open which is never easy..

Just because it's tough shouldn't deter people not to play, it can be hard and fun at the same time. Look at this week's Stableford, that is a long setup, but it needs thought and I thoroughly enjoyed it so far.