“Do I feel confident on the tee? Because if I feel intimidated, I’m sick of that — I can play any number of golf courses where I feel intimidated on every tee. So let’s not do that.”
This quote from David McLay Kidd is at the center of our latest “Talking GolfGetaways with Mitch & Darin” as the hosts explore the fine line between truly fun courses and those that may tip the scales into crazy-difficult territory. Kidd has been on a journey throughout his career, beginning with acclaimed Bandon Dunes and then moving on to projects such as Scotland’s Castle Course and Oregon’s Tetherow, only to come full circle (and maybe beyond) to build his latest, ultra-playable creation in Washington state.
With playability in mind, Mitch and Darin dive into a conversation that compares and contrasts such destination golf courses as the Pacific Northwest’s Gamble Sands vs. Chambers Bay, Lake Michigan’s Whistling Straits vs. Arcadia Bluffs and Scotland’s Castle Stuart vs. Royal Dornoch. Plus they talk about the late Mike Strantz’s design at Tobacco Road in North Carolina — and how playing courses from multiple sets of tees can enhance the golf experience.
And for even more creativity, Darin recounts his preview look at The Loop, Tom Doak’s reversible design at Forest Dunes in Michigan — perhaps the most mind-boggling 18-hole (or 36-hole) course in America.
“Talking GolfGetaways with Mitch & Darin” is sponsored by StGeorgeUtahGolf.com and can be heard on GolfNewsNet.com. The podcast is also available for download on iTunes Podcasts. New episodes post daily, five days per week.
Mitch Laurance can be found on Twitter and Instagram @MitchLaurance.
Darin Bunch can be found @GetawaysGolf on Twitter and @GolfGetaways on Instagram.
