The Tube Map is the iconic schematic for the London Underground system using a combination of colours and shapes. In Scorecard Semiotics, Golfing Herald examines a sample of golf course scorecards to present an argument that just like the Tube map, the golf scorecard should also be viewed as a design and semiotic icon.
Semiotics
Semiotics is the study of sign process. Signs take many forms including colours, shapes and codes. We all interpret signs to attribute some sort of meaning, including matching signs against existing patterns and their meanings that we retain in our memory bank.
A really simple example is the colour coding on taps which we recognise without thinking – red for hot, blue for cold. The golf scorecard equivalent is the use of the colours white, yellow and red to denote the back (or competition), forward and ladies tees respectively.
The London Underground system is very complex and multi-dimensional with an incredible amount of information. But thanks to the imagination of Harry Beck, this information was translated into a “map on a page” using an electrical circuit diagram modelling technique. Thus the simple use of colours (for the various lines) and symbols (for stations) enable us to assimilate the information required to travel on the London Underground.
Initial Interpretation
Similar to the Tube Map, a golf scorecard optimises every square inch of space available to capture and depict an incredible amount of multi-layered information. This is usually achieved by one side being the actual scorecard of the course whilst the reverse side will normally be comprised of a permutation of golf club images, advertising, a map of the course and local course rules…and yet all of the information presented is understood and readable (though in the case of Golfing Herald with the aid of reading glasses!!)
To commence scorecard semiotics, Golfing Herald references the scorecard from Bamburgh Castle Golf Club.
So what early signs can be extracted and interpreted (and maybe at this stage incorrectly) from this particular scorecard?
- Not a long course by today’s standards, so course management is probably at a premium.
- A potential tough start over the first 4 holes, with 2 long Par 3’s and both Par 5’s.
- In fact, possibly a tough start over the first 6 holes, if the Stroke Index is aligned purely to the difficulty, so maybe many cards are ruined by the time “The Rockies” are encountered.
- Unusual for a Par 3 to be Stroke Index 1.
- The 16th, 17th and 18th are all relatively short Par 4’s whichever tee is used so every possibility of a good finish over the closing 3 holes (more on this specific sign later in the article)
Obviously playing ability and experience can also be factored into interpreting the initial signs. Also, signs extracted from a scorecard are very much 1-dimensional as there is no visibility or allowance for such variable parameters as the actual terrain and prevailing weather conditions.
Having said that, whatever your handicap and however you have interpreted the course from the scorecard alone, Bamburgh Castle Golf Course is a must-play.
Course Record
The field of Mathematics is littered with magic numbers…numbers such as 1089…so why is 1089 magic?
- Think of a 3-digit number whose digits are decreasing.
- Then reverse the digits to create a new 3-digit number. Subtract this number from the original number.
- From the resulting number, add it to the reverse of itself. You should get 1089.
(an easy to follow worked example, honest…321-123=198…198+981=1089)
Signs of magic numbers on golf scorecards are much easier to detect and work out, the most obvious being a 1 recorded on a hole.
This example from Dollar Golf Club (a beautiful, hilly and testing course built on the slopes of the Ochils about 15 miles from Gleneagles, that requires careful thought on every shot) does not have a hole in 1 but does have a series of 18 numbers which when combined result in the magic number of 57 (a magnificent course record which was actually equalled 3 years later by the same golfer!!)
The Beast
A signature hole is usually the standout hole on a golf course. This hole could be the most photogenic and/or the most dramatic and/or the most aesthetic and/or the most challenging…such as the Par 3 17th at TPC Sawgrass, the Par 4 10th at The Belfry and the Par 3 16th at Cypress Point.
Signature holes are rarely identifiable from the corresponding scorecard. One notable exception is the scorecard for Hamptworth Golf Club whose signature hole is none other than “The Beast”.
Adding to the challenges for this 666-yard Par 6 16th is the fact that it is hilly (although the final third is downhill). Also, there are two sets of Sentry Trees, situated about 240 yards and 125 yards respectively from the green (which itself is 34 yards from front to back!!).
It would be great to hear the experiences and views of Golfing Herald readers who have played this unique signature hole.
Longest Hole in the World
Unfortunately, for the purposes of this article, Golfing Herald was unable to secure permission to use the scorecard from Gunsan Country Club, South Korea. However, Florentyna Parker (a multiple-winner on the Ladies European Tour) kindly shared this photo with Golfing Herald of the yardage marker from the 3rd hole at Gunsan.
The signs presented for this hole should leave a player in absolutely no doubt (even from the Red Tee). The Par 7 3rd is currently the longest hole in the world with water all the way down the left side of the fairway. Small consolation, though not surprising, this hole is Stroke Index 1.
For the record, Florentyna parred the hole from the Black Tee with a Driver, 3 wood, 3 wood, 3 wood, 5 wood and 2 putts…and also for the record, the yardage marker requirements are actually in metres…so this should really be a Metreage Marker!!
An 1100 yard Par 7…what next in the world of course architecture?
Stroke Index
The allocation of Stroke Indexes is quite complicated and is much more than an indicative sign of the difficulty of a hole, though the difficulty is usually the key criteria.
Most clubs attempt to have an even spread of Stroke Indexes and this is invariably achieved by allocating even-numbered stroke indexes to one nine (Front or Back) and allocating odd-numbered stroke indexes to the other nine.
The sequencing of stroke index numbers on the respective nines then assimilates factors such as strategic-difficulty, length of hole and par of the hole.
A great example of the Stroke Index is by again referencing the scorecard from Dollar Golf Club (albeit 3 years after the previous example)
This scorecard does not follow the normal even/odd stroke index distribution but very much adopts a bespoke approach, with an interchangeable innovation in play for the 4th and 12th holes.
Further Innovation
Longniddry Golf Club, situated about 20 miles east of Edinburgh, is a stunning course that combines a unique blend of parkland and links…one of many fine courses on the East Lothian coastline (Muirfield, Gullane and North Berwick, et al.)
The Longniddry scorecard provides signs of further innovation through the indicative pace of play.
The Pace of Play is not an exact science but it is fantastic that Longniddry is a club leading the way.
It would be great to hear from Longniddry members and visitors alike on whether the explicit sign of 3 hours and 36 minutes has resulted in an improved pace of play?
What you see is not…?
Earlier in this article, reference was made to the initial interpretation of a scorecard in respect of relatively short Par 4’s.
Kirkbymoorside Golf Club is a hidden gem of a course located close to the North York Moors National Park. Take a look at the scorecard and evaluate the initial signs for the 12th hole?
265 yards from the white tee and only 4 yards shorter from the yellow tee provides an initial sign of a very short, straightforward Par 4…and yet in reality when you stand on 12th Tee the flag/green are not visible!!. Help is at hand through another sign, this time on the reverse of the scorecard.
A sharp dogleg Par 4, out of bounds to the left. A hole that places much emphasis on course management, where the tee shot requires accuracy (distance and direction) to set up the 2nd shot into the green. A really good test of golf.
Natural Navigation
To wrap up this article with a bit of fun…
Q. How on earth did we ever get from A to B in the days long before Google maps and Satellite Navigation?
A. By utilising a range of natural navigation skills.
So as a pseudo-natural navigator, and assuming some historical and geographical knowledge, what additional signs can be extracted (by again using the Bamburgh Castle Golf Club scorecard) in an attempt to determine where the course is located?
- The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is a tidal island off the northeast coast of England. So the name of Hole 12 (Lindisfarne), would indicate that Lindisfarne can be viewed from or is within proximity of the course.
- The Farne Islands are a group of islands off the coast of Northumberland, England. So the name of Hole 14 (Farne Islands) would indicate that the Farne Islands can be viewed from or are within proximity of the course.
- Hole 15 (Castle’s View) would indicate that Bamburgh Castle can be seen from the course and most castles are situated on or near the coastline.
- The Cheviot is the highest point in the Northumberland National Park, England. So the name of Hole 4 (Cheviot View), would indicate the Cheviot can be seen from the course.
One or more of these signs would indicate that Bamburgh Castle Golf Club is located on the Northumberland coastline, in close proximity to a castle and Holy Island (though from the experience of Golfing Herald it would have to be a very clear day to see the Cheviot!!).
Over to you
This article has referenced only a very small sample of scorecards to illustrate the ingenuity of design and diverse semiotics of a golf scorecard.
Many thanks to Florentyna Parker and to Bamburgh Castle, Dollar, Hamptworth, Kirkbymoorside and Longniddry Golf Clubs, without whom this article would not have been possible.
Golfing Herald now invites readers to share scorecards of courses from around the world to highlight further semiotics?
(Since publishing Scorecard Semiotics I have written two further articles aligned to the Scorecard. The second article Clintons Surprise recalls a triangulation of real-life events that occurred between a Wedding party, a Golf course and a former US President!! Golf Hole Names completed the trilogy where I nostalgically looked back at all of the golf courses I have played to date to create a fantasy/eclectic 18 hole golf course)
Leave a Reply