Video: Torrey's 3rd, 4th, 5th UnShackeled

Longtime readers may recall a while back various informal surveys of how the site could be better and high on the list was more video and in particular, more architecture.

I'm not sure this will satisfy that desire entirely, but this is a pilot for a series of web-friendly videos in that vein. With the Farmers Insurance Open soon to start, there is no better time to look at the underwhelming stretch of holes 3-5 at the overwhelmingly beautiful Torrey Pines South.

Play begins Thursday, but in the meantime, my quick take on what should be a stellar three hole stretch.

Comments

[Neil Young & Geraldo]

You look great Geoff! Love the analysis. You convinced me that changes need to be made on those holes.

Love the wardrobe, too. However I think you need to find something to do with your hands. Keeping them in your pockets like that gives off a Rick-Steves-in-Europe kinda vibe. (But you're MUCH cooler than him!)

Keep it up!!

[Rob Jackson]

Shack...that blue jacket deserves almost as much attention as Tiger's skull mask.

[Colin MacGillivray]

Excellent.
But you're not on a ship- no swaying needed- sit on a high stool perhaps. I hope the TV commentators see your thoughts so they can chew on them as they rabbit on. Never get much golf architecture from the TV guys.

[bs]

Short, sharp, and to the point. Very good analysis - the failure to make something more interesting out of the 3rd and 4th in particular looks criminal.

Could they be worried about adding 30mins to the round or even law suits as people rootle around the cliffs or even fall down them in search of lost balls?.

[bob]

Nice backdrop art work...

[Connie Reed]

You are a good looking guy---work that!!! Great looking jacket.

Since you have such a great look on your web site logo across the top, maybe use a golf bag to put one hand and anchor your stance.

Only Episode 1? pshawwww....a great evolving feature of your blog.

Keep up the insightful commentary. It is appreciated.

[Jim S]

I think this is a good idea, and I think the quick pace is just about right (it's just a tiny bit too fast). I think you can get your basic point across in just a couple of sentences, and I think the benefits of the fast pace are bigger than the drawbacks. The use of both Google aerials and still photos is a good idea. I think one thing that would really supercharge this would be to show a single photoshopped alternative for each hole to better illustrate what you mean. I hope you keep it up.

[Ludell Hogwaller]

Good stuff, Geoff. Architectural analysis is a favorite of mine, do some more.

I guess we shouldn't expect a green jacket.

[Chicago John]

Great stuff Geoff! Love the new web series, hope you'll continue to do so for the rest of the West Coast swing!

[J. Fred Muggs]

I appreciate the insight and would like to see more architectural analysis on the site but I agree that you have to get rid of the swaying. That being written, i've done a few presentations in my time and, like anything, it's a skill that needs to be practised and polished with time. Standing or sitting still while public speaking is much difficult than it looks.

[Dave]

Thanks for posting, it would be a dream come true to get to play there someday...

[David Stamm]

Great jacket, Geoff. Blackwell approved!

Solid analysis. I've played the South about 50 times, when I was a city resident. It always left me wanting for something more inspired. The North could be even better than the South.

Great idea on this video series. Keep it up!

[Amen Coroner]

Rich Lerner signature wardrobe is nice! You were reading or speaking off the cuff?

[Clothing Police]

On your next jacket purchase, please consider one size larger.

[Pasaplayer]

"But, boy, Torrey Pines could be a whole lot better." Hear hear!

"And don't those cart paths suck?"

Terrific insights in a straightforward, succinct presentation. Torrey's missed opportunities, so we'll summarized, could be a poster-child for much of what's bland and insipid about course design, even with the ocean right there.

Strategic? What does that mean? (Insert sarcastic emoticon.)

[Mark]

How much is the US Open course set up guys restricting this? The layout also looks super forced for a few of the back tees. Never liked walking, yes many still walk, the one thing golfers don't copy from the tour, 100 backwards to the next tee or cutting in front of another tee at a public course

[munihack]

I paid a lot of interest to the Weiscopf interview last week. He was asked if he designs for the touring pro and said no because they use the facility one week a year. Torrey Pines is a public facility and the usual players should be the primary concern. While strategy or challenging a pro is nice should the facility spend money on this? Weiscopf said the cahllenge for the pros is in the pin locations. I saw the South course in 08 for the US Open and I thought it had plenty of strategy but I like Billy Bell courses. Critics should remember courses like Augusta are the exception- it primarily exists for challenging the pros and they have a bottomless budget...

[The Big K]

Geoff:

I think this is an excellent feature, I hope you continue with more in the future.

But as several have mentioned, the swaying back and forth was distracting. Maybe you need a new swing coach?

[David Stamm]

Munihack, at the risk of being nitpicky, Billy Bell is how William P Bell (senior) was referred to. William F Bell was the architect of Torrey Pines and has been mistakenly referred to as "Billy", causing a conflating of the 2 persons.

[GinGHIN]

GS: Major props. This is exactly the type of feature that should be shown to the masses on Golf Channel, NBC, etc., even though the hosting course will hate it. The description of the par 3 is perfect - lets people know that what's there is fine, but also encourages them to think about what it could be and how much more fun good design is.

[dbh]

Great stuff Geoff, knowledgable and concise, hope they continue.

[David Stamm]

I recall regular locals declaring Torrey to be "just as good" as Pebble Beach, often without ever actually playing Pebble.

Of course, that was when the course cost $25 to play. Sometimes bargain golf can muddle one's perception.

[Smitty]

I believe that Geoff's hands in his pockets, and his swaying, are merely reflections of his SoCal ethos and lifestyle. You know, like, the Valley Girls. So bitchin'!

[Jt]

Keep 'em coming, Geoff!

[JH]

Compared to the rest of you, I don't know much about course architecture. But I swear the water feature (puddle??) in front of the 18th green is the worst in all of golf. For a seaside course it looks so out of place. Thoughts, Geoff?

[mel]

Really interesting and very easy for someone who doesn't know anything about golf course design (me, for example) to follow. Hope to see more in the future. Cheers!

[Geoff]

Thanks for the feedback. The jacket is my normal 42, just bunched up because my hands are in my pockets. Or so my tailor would say.

As for the swaying, my release pattern are still off. My old habit of watching golf and writing about it just keeps getting in the way. Standing in front of a camera is new and with reps I should find the bottom of my swing.

[V60]

Easy solution to the swaying. Shoot from the waist up.

[nancy]

Geoff, Your casual style even with the swaying and wardrobe comments is very appealing and natural. I like how you hone in and focus on just a few key holes while keeping it brief to the point. Way to go with videos. Look forward to more of these.

[Mike T.]

First drive well-positioned in the fairway, Geoff. I'm very much looking forward to more of this content. One suggestion would be to give yourself more time. Three or three and a half minutes would be good.

[The O]

As a point of history, I believe the 3rd was once considered so difficult by tour players when it was windy, they would put the balatas in the bag and break out a Top-Rock so as to ensure that it wouldn't get eaten by the wind. Considered one of the reasons the "one ball rule" was eventually put into place.

[KLG]

Excellent work. Oh, please do Hootie Wood on the 11th at ANGC. Plus the "new" 7th and 15th; the ridiculous new back tee on the 4th. Hey...a guy can dream.

[Kyle]

Good stuff Geoff! Your insight is invaluable. I have been wanting to do this kind of thing for my local courses for a long time. Keep the videos coming.

[bouje]

can you add some mock-ups, suggestions, graphics of what it would look like if you got your hands on it. that would take this segment over the top

[Pro from Dover]

KLG +1 agree. Played ANGC "before" and "after", like before a whole lot better. #7 is like landing on a postage stamp. #4 was tough enough at 195-200 yards. 11, well, IMHO they have just screwed that hole with the length and the trees on the right. And I like the 'speed slot' on the right of 15, don't like the look w / the trees.

[Chris]

Geoff, unfortunately I beg to differ on the wardrobe...the USGA three-piece suit look would be far more appropriate and project the image golf needs going forward!

[Andrew Mack]

Great commentary! You're right about everything!

[Press Agent]

Great stuff Geoff!! Hopefully the beginning of a repeating feature. Maybe even the 'State of the game' podcasts can take on some visual element at some point as well.

@munihack; I'd argue that interesting design for tour pros is interesting design for average golfers. The ideas of strategy, some of which Geoff talked about in this video will apply to anyone playing the holes, tour pros and low handicappers will just be playing from further back. Interesting greens and surrounds are interesting for everyone, and maybe things get firmed up and the greens are sped up a bit when the tour guys are in town, but overall, a course that captures the attention of tour players who see golf courses all year round, is bound to capture the attention of average trunk slammers. Not because it's difficult, because it's interesting.

[PA PLAYA]

Geoff, although I still consider your videotaped analysis of Riviera a few years ago to be one of the more memorable nuggets of your blogging prowess, it is always good to get your take on the strengths and weaknesses of certain layouts and how they could become even better.

Excellent work.

[Jim]

Geoff,

Overall, great piece. My only comment was going to be the swaying until I read the previous comments. You addressed it, and I wouldn't expect anything less. Accountability is the reason I read your page every day.

It's great to see the design concepts applied to the holes we see on TV all the time.