Harold Duvall – Part 2 – Course Changes

Harold sat down with us and talked about the changes to the USDGC course. We’ve posted part 1 here. This part covers holes 10 through 18.

Harold says “The biggest changes are on hole 10. Several players commented that they got to relax on 10. The basic shape of 10 is similar to last year. We brought the island type green closer to the tee to make it more tempting. The left side fairway is pushed back so it’s more difficult to do. In my group half went straight and went for it and half went left. The shape of the green plays in tandem to the new left side. It’s an asymmetrical green, and the left side goes perpendicular to the road. There is a nifty optical illusion that makes folks misread the green. The left side is much more challenging. You have an easy 3 if you land it on the green on your drive. You feel great about any easy 3 at Winthrop Gold. That’s the first time we used the hazard/buncr stroke. That really got us over the hump to make folks try for the more aggressive play, it was too penal last year. That did require another rules variance. We’re trying to make demonstrated skill match with your score.

Number eleven is about the same although we opened the rope on the left side to make it a viable option. Half my group went to the right, the others to the left. Now there are two really good places to aim for. We’re trying to create options. If you can commit on every shot you can score well. That temptation makes you want to change your shot during the throw and that makes it compelling.

On 12 you’re trying to make an eagleable par 5. We opened up the landing area so the fans on Saturday can see some big throws. From there it’s tempting but the green is tight. A big drive like the par 5s at Augusta national. It’s not a matter of distance but a matter of distance and aggression. It takes both to make that happen and any birdie out here is extra sweet. At the same time it’s right in front of you. Par doesn’t feel that comfortable on 12. It tugs at people emotionally. That’s the toolbox we like to use to tug at people, it’s the passions and emotions that I like to pull from people.

13 and 14 have the buncr rule. It’s really changing how people play those holes. On 13 people were playing very aggressive. But there wasn’t the accuracy component. Last year it was no big deal to go OB (since you kept your distance). We didn’t care for the effect that people didn’t care if they went OB if they were 500 ft down the hole. Now (with the buncr rule) their favorite disc is in the hazard. That can have a snowball (effect on a player’s confidence).

Harold related that, “13 killed me today, I succumbed to my own trap. Scored a 9, threw poorly 4 times in a row. It was right there and I took my cuts and didn’t get them in bounds. I almost got to use the mercy rule and go pick up the discs. Sanity returned and I played an aviar up the middle. One of those attributes (a player can have) is pride and I was too prideful.”

“Number fourteen is the same but with the buncr rule. 15 is the same.”

“On 16 the old route was out and around, we worked with a chainsaw and a stick, raising the canopy. Now players can take the inside route. The rope on the right side was intimidating, if you caught the tree at all you were going OB. When the OB on 8 was moved it gave the improved, more generous right side to allow the folks to use the inside route. I pulled my drive inside and was safe, last year it would have been OB. Thank goodness for the Pig on my upshot, the pig allows you to throw a side arm and turn it hard without going past.”

“Number 17 is a generally the same shape as last year but the buncr rule has made that less of a disaster zone. Frankly I have already had misgivings (about using the buncr rule). We’re trying to balance two nifty attributes. 17 is an island type green and you have to have consistency. The promoter wants to give something to the fans. Same reason that Nascar fans go to see a wreck. Next year it will probably go back to OB (instead of the buncr rules). Like Sawgrass’ 17th green it makes the best golfers in the world anxious. (As a player) You have to negotiate 17 to win. Even with a two or three stroke lead your lead isn’t safe. As much as the players need to play for money and prizes. The players want affirmation and you get that from fans going ‘ooh’ and ‘ah’ at a wonderful shot. 17 is a beautiful place for that and it’s lost a little bit of it (with the new buncr rule). 17 has lost the pucker factor to some degree. Some folks legitimately say that you shouldn’t be able to lose the tournament over one hole and I respectfully disagree. You see some of the more hardened disc golfers joyful placing their shots 60 feet from the basket (on 17). That makes me feel great as a designer. It’s compelling to elicit those emotions from the players.”

“On eighteen the ropes were moved in for the fans safety as there were several close calls with fans last year. Being miserly with the fairway also leaves a place for lots of folks to watch the USDGC. It also works wonderfully as you have to throw on a side hill lie. (And it gives opportunities for shot making) I played a side arm roller. It’s a wonderful feeling to make that shot. Plenty of people watching and I executed to put the shot around inside the green. It’s that magic of something wonderful, it’s something that golf and disc golf have in common. They erase the memories of the not so good shots.”

Were the changes in response to Ken’s scores last year? Harold said, “No. If he’s playing great then he should get a record score. The course designers should not constrain the players. The designer should reward those players. Ken had a wonderful display of power with accuracy and committed putting. The USDGC is a very conservative group, we like to take steps with our changes, there is a lot of history with the championship.”

“One of the big aspects that we’re reaching out now to discover is; what do we have to do to bring the championship to the next level? We know the players want fans to affirm their play. We’ve formed a partnership with schools, churches and tourism folks to bring fans into Rock Hill. It really is a whole different skill set then running a disc golf championship. The ring of fire, tickets and the big throws over the lake on Saturday. So when you have the worlds best and when fans see the wow factor they want to go play. Then many other things (for disc golf) like exposure and sponsorship will.”

“Humpy Wheeler is a famous Nascar promoter, I’ve listened to him and read articles. He says, everything in Nascar starts with fans in the seats. It starts with fans wanting to be out there watching.”