Challenge - Thomas Himmel Golf Course Design

The central aspect of our design work is the creation of a "strategic golf course". Strategy is when every single hole possesses its own personality and challenge resulting from the natural surroundings, the topography, the shape of the greens, the hazards, the fairways as well as the optical charm. The 9, 18 or more holes put together create a "complete" challenge for golfers of all levels of skill. That means: The top class golfer is never underchallenged, the less skilled golfer never over challenged. Strategy also means that several abilities of the golfer, regardless of his playing-level, are demanded: his imagination, his technical skills, his tactics, his power, his stamina and his talent for strategic thinking".

Unfortunately the term "challenge" is often placed on a equal footing with the word "difficulty". We feel that "challenge" should be more synonymous for a round of golf that produces a feeling of pleasure and fun, in that the skills of each golfer are demanded in the right degree.

We design courses which give the average golfer ample landing areas whereas the accomplished player is presented with the challenge of other landing areas, with high risk-reward elements and features. At every shot each player must be given a challenge which is in according to his abilities.