Trees as Hazards - A Japanese Tradition

Taiheiyo Gotemba. 6th hole.

Harry Colt believed trees to be an obnoxious hazard and Donald Ross said they should be part of the scenery but never part of the stage. Except for Alister MacKenzie, many of the great architects agreed that placing trees in a position that interfered with strategy was lazy and unimaginative design. The reason for their dislike of trees grew (pardon the pun) from being inspired by the timeless and treeless designs of the Scottish links, a bevy of golf courses whose designs are still lauded over today.

Trees in, or close to fairways are a very popular design element in Japan. The architects I mentioned above would turn in their graves if they knew how often they influenced golf shots. Since living in Japan I have played only a handful of courses where trees did not influence a shot from the fairway or tee. The Japanese designer’s preference in using trees as a hazard is interesting, especially because it flies in the face of what some of the most influential architects preferred.

MacKenzie was almost alone in his thoughts that suggested trees placed irregularly in fairways could create fascinating golf. The trees on Cypress Points last two holes and the Eisenhower tree (RIP) on Augusta Nationals 17th are great examples of his philosophy. He used this style of design sparingly, but the trees he did use, had an enormous impact, and continue to be some of the most iconic holes in golf. Maybe MacKenzie’s influence was so profound that the Japanese designers felt compelled to replicate his philosophy. A philosophy that may have been overdone in Japan but the broad use of trees as hazards could have been a nod to the man considered the finest architect in golf.

Spirituality and the virtues that trees represent in the Japanese culture plays the biggest role, I believe, in their inclusion as integral parts of the course. Trees in Japan symbolise virtues such as courage, strength, eternal youth and the revered cherry blossom tree is synonymous with the Japanese spirit. From a virtuous standpoint, I understand their existence as including them in a courses narrative singlehandedly justifies their existence. Personally, I think there is something quite appealing about a lone tree existing in the centre of a fairway, especially during spring when the canopy is full. Before you curse the tree that blocks your shot, take a minute to imagine the designer’s true intention in positioning the tree. You may get a sense of what virtue it represents rather than viewing it as just a tree blocking your way.

In any case, your decision to play golf in Japan will inevitably have you maneuvering your ball around, under, or over a tree at some stage. Taiheiyo Gotemba, the 5th ranked course in Japan, has three holes with these fairway hazards. The holes are all beautifully designed and the trees, especially on the 6th and 11th, are features that elevate the hole. This is an example of how prolific the trees are, especially on what is considered one of the best and most iconic golf courses in Japan.

So what do I think of these fairway hazards? I like trees playing a part in the strategy of a shot from the tee or fairway, but only occasionally. As MacKenzie intended, these trees make players use their imagination and skill to extricate themselves, a component that is sorely lacking in today’s game. Every time someone suggests a particular tree should be removed I close my eyes and imagine the hole without that tree. Unfortunately in most cases, from a pure design perspective, their removal would banish the hole into obscurity. I believe the 17th at Augusta is a great example. I think the hole looks like a terribly boring straight par 4 these days without the Eisenhower tree. Previously it was a fabulous looking hole and although the Eisenhower tree was not positioned in the fairway it protruded into view just enough to play as an integral part of the hole.

So did the Japanese designers use these trees to redirect our attention away from unimaginative design? I do not think so. I believe they started with the tree and built the hole around it, allowing it to be the focal point, representing something far more important than blocking a golf shot.

Before the famous architects began to air their thoughts about using trees as hazards I believe a roundtable with their Japanese counterparts could have been interesting. The discussion would have been compelling and may have led some of them to think differently about the use of trees in the fairway.

Kawaguchiko Country Club.Lost in Translation.