ART SCHAUPETER Making practice fun Art Schaupeter describes how practice areas for golf can become entertainment spaces One aspect of golf facilities that has benefitted from an evolution of design thought is the practice area. I have worked with a variety of facilities, both public and private, in which I have been able to convert an unused area, typically a couple of acres, into a new practice/ entertainment area. The first principle in designing any practice space is ensuring that players get complete ‘feedback’ on whatever it is they are practicing. They need to be able to see the result of their shot so that they can analyse and associate the feeling of what they did with the result. There are a few key amenities that allow for a practice area to double as an entertainment space. Firstly, the practice green needs to be as large as possible. The larger it is the more variety and interest can be incorporated into the design. Secondly, the chipping green will be broken out into multiple smaller greens within the designated chipping area. This allows for the creation of a wider range of situational practice scenarios. Each green edge can have a different slope and/or angle, creating more variety, allowing for multiple players to find a spot around one of the greens to do their practice. The multiple chipping greens can also be played as a loop. Where space allows, I also like to incorporate a chipping range. This is a short-range area that plays out to a length of about 100 yards. Small target greens are positioned on exact yardages spaced out every 15 yards. This provides another form of ‘feedback’ for golfers. These practice/entertainment areas create outstanding opportunities for the development of new players while also creating fun and interesting golf for regular players, which is not expensive and doesn’t require a lengthy time commitment. With the added variety of short-game greens and chipping areas, players can either use the space as a fully comprehensive practice facility or they can use it as a short course to play. A multiple-hole course can be set up to provide a new amenity for players. With each hole likely to be less than 90 yards, players can walk the course carrying no more than a couple clubs and a ball. The short course would require little time and would be very playable with no real hazards other than a bunker or two. For more on Art Schaupeter, turn to page 31, or visit www.schaupetergolf.com Photo: Mike McNeil/Schaefer-Meyer Schaupeter has designed a unique practice facility for the University of Missouri golf teams to use at The Club at Old Hawthorne 19
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