Home Course
by Rob Collins
Wherever the game may be played, indeed. We enlisted Sweetens Cove architect Rob Collins to create two classic templates and one original hole using nothing but household items. We can’t think of a better way to pass the time indoors then to build these yourself. Be sure to tag us @golfersjournal and @kingcollinsgolf when sharing on social.
Hole 1: Himalayas
This hole is inspired by the famous Himalayas hole at Prestwick. Rather than towering dunes, this version plays over couch cushions to a punchbowl green shaped out of a beanbag. For those in a southern climate, hardwood floors are not fully out of dormancy. Therefore, we recommend you play off a carpet or rug, which will allow you to more easily get the height you need to clear the dune ridge. Find your favorite plastic cup and use it as the hole.
Hole 2: Redan
The redan is the most imitated par 3 template design. Use couch cushions as the green and make sure they are on the angle shown in the diagram. Fronted back and front by diabolical shoebox bunkers, most will want to play to the right to avoid them. Unlike the 1920s-style bungalow where I live in north Chattanooga, Tennessee, most houses do not have a 7% slope on their living room floor. Therefore, a turned-over coffee table will have to suffice as the kicker slope, which can be used to deflect balls toward the difficult back-left pin placements (Only scratch house golfers should attempt a direct line at the flag). Once again, your favorite plastic cup will suffice as a perfect hole. In line with the procedures at some golf courses, the raised cup will help prevent cross contamination and the spread of COVID-19.
Hole 3: Original Par 4
The green complex is based loosely on the third green at Sweetens Cove, which has a large oak tree in front of it. In our homemade version, a house plant will create strategic and shotmaking dilemmas on approach. A shoebox bunker along the left side of the wide fairway protects the ideal angle to the green. To the right, players must be precise so they don’t get blocked out by vegetation bordering the fairway. Should you get behind the plant on approach, either a low runner or high wedge can be used to reach the green, which is backed by couch cushions in order to improve playability. Good luck!
