Post by b101 on Oct 9, 2023 11:32:15 GMT -5
I've wanted to do a proper 'this is how to judge' case study for a while, particularly when looking at very good courses and how you go about separating them. Often, judging is very easy with a clear ranking, or better course. Sometimes though, it's not immediately apparent, so what do you do then?
For me, there are some big 'dos' and 'don'ts' when it comes to judging:
Do:
- Liaise with other judges and see things from their point of view. You may disagree, but hearing other opinions only helps.
- Focus on what the courses do well
- Think about the shots you are asked to hit. What's the variety? What was memorable?
- Consider how many holes you remember after the round. How much did it stick with you?
- Be consistent if you use the rubric. Make sure your 36/50 on the first course you play is roughly in line with your 36/50 on the last course you play.
Don't:
- Base your decision on how well you score in the round. Unless it's Major or CC, the actual difficulty level shouldn't factor in that much, just how they accomplish that.
- Base your decision purely on aesthetics or your preferred 'type' of course. This is the biggest thing I see with newer judges, largely because it's easy to focus on what you like to look at and much harder to understand what makes a good golf hole.
- Nitpick basic technical decisions. The worst judging I have observed is where people won't engage with hole designs, routing or strategy but instead focus on the smoothness of spline points or similar.
- Tank a course so that another course progresses. Ever.
I'm sure I'll think of others, but that's a good starting point.
With thanks to tpetro and TannerBronson for letting me use their courses to make these videos:
For me, there are some big 'dos' and 'don'ts' when it comes to judging:
Do:
- Liaise with other judges and see things from their point of view. You may disagree, but hearing other opinions only helps.
- Focus on what the courses do well
- Think about the shots you are asked to hit. What's the variety? What was memorable?
- Consider how many holes you remember after the round. How much did it stick with you?
- Be consistent if you use the rubric. Make sure your 36/50 on the first course you play is roughly in line with your 36/50 on the last course you play.
Don't:
- Base your decision on how well you score in the round. Unless it's Major or CC, the actual difficulty level shouldn't factor in that much, just how they accomplish that.
- Base your decision purely on aesthetics or your preferred 'type' of course. This is the biggest thing I see with newer judges, largely because it's easy to focus on what you like to look at and much harder to understand what makes a good golf hole.
- Nitpick basic technical decisions. The worst judging I have observed is where people won't engage with hole designs, routing or strategy but instead focus on the smoothness of spline points or similar.
- Tank a course so that another course progresses. Ever.
I'm sure I'll think of others, but that's a good starting point.
With thanks to tpetro and TannerBronson for letting me use their courses to make these videos:
