The Genius of CB McDonald and Seth Raynor’s Template Holes
By: Patrick Stephenson
Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor share one of the most influential partnerships in the history of golf course architecture. Macdonald, often regarded as the father of American golf course design, was deeply inspired by the great links courses of the British Isles. His travels overseas exposed him to the classic holes that he believed encapsulated the essence of golf strategy and beauty.
Upon returning to the United States, he sought to recreate these timeless designs, not as mere replicas but as templates—idealized versions that could be adapted to different landscapes. To bring his vision to life, Macdonald enlisted the help of Seth Raynor, a civil engineer with no prior golf experience. Raynor’s methodical approach and a keen eye for detail complemented Macdonald’s grand vision perfectly. Together, they embarked on a journey to design courses that combined the strategic brilliance of the old-world links with the unique characteristics of American terrain.
The concept of templates or ideal holes was central to Macdonald and Raynor’s design philosophy. These templates were inspired by specific holes from the great courses of Scotland, England, and France that Macdonald admired. Rather than copying these holes exactly, Macdonald and Raynor distilled the strategic essence of each and adapted them to the new courses they were creating. Their goal was to incorporate these idealized holes into each course they built forcing players to use strategy to make their way through a round of golf instead of skill alone.
Macdonald and Raynor’s courses can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels while giving good players a good challenge. Let’s dive into some of these ideal holes that appear on all of their courses and the strategy behind them.
Photo credit to L.C. Lambrecht | Redan: 7th at Chicago Golf Club
Redan
The Redan is perhaps the most iconic of all the template holes, originally inspired by the 15th hole at North Berwick Golf Club in Scotland. The defining characteristic of a Redan hole is its angled green, which slopes from front right to back left, typically guarded by a deep bunker on the front left. This setup challenges golfers to carefully consider their approach, as landing the ball in the correct spot on the green requires both precision and strategy. A well-executed shot that lands on the front right portion of the green can use the natural slope to feed toward the hole, but any misjudgment can lead to a difficult recovery.
Macdonald and Raynor recognized the brilliance of the Redan concept and incorporated it into many of their designs, each with slight variations to suit the specific landscape. The key strategic element of the Redan is its demand for a well-thought-out approach shot. Players must take into account the wind, the slope of the green, the firmness of the green, and the position of the pin. A Redan hole can be particularly daunting for those unfamiliar with its nuances, but it also provides a rewarding challenge for those who can master it.
The Redan template perfectly showcases how Macdonald and Raynor masterfully blend beauty with strategy. The angled green and deep bunkers make for a visually stunning hole, while the strategic demands keep it challenging for golfers of all skill levels. Despite its difficulty, the design remains playable, allowing players to use the ground to run the ball onto the green. The enduring influence of the Redan is evident in its frequent appearance in modern golf course designs, underscoring the timeless brilliance of Macdonald and Raynor’s architectural philosophy.
Photo credit to The Fried Egg Golf | Eden: 3rd Hole at Fox Chapel Golf Club
Eden
The Eden hole, inspired by the 11th hole at the Old Course at St. Andrews, is another staple of Macdonald and Raynor’s repertoire. The Eden is a par-3 that is defined by its strategic green complex and the hazards that surround it. The green itself is relatively shallow but wide, making distance control a critical factor in avoiding the deep bunkers and other hazards that protect the hole. A large bunker, often referred to as the “Strath” bunker, guards the front, while another deep bunker, known as the “Hill” bunker, lurks on the left. The green also typically features significant contouring, which can make putting a challenge even if you hit the green in regulation.
One of the key strategic elements of the Eden hole is the need for precision on the tee shot. With trouble lurking on all sides, players must carefully consider their club selection and the wind conditions. A shot that is slightly too long or too short can result in a difficult bunker shot or a tricky pitch to a green that slopes away from the player. The Eden hole exemplifies the principle that a short hole does not necessarily mean an easy hole—its difficulty lies in its demand for accuracy and careful planning.
Macdonald and Raynor’s interpretation of the Eden hole can be found on many of their courses, each with unique characteristics that adapt the original concept to the surrounding landscape. Despite its challenges, the Eden remains a beloved template among golfers, as it offers a test of precision and finesse rather than sheer power.
Photo credit to ©Russell Kirk/Golflinksphotography.com | Biarritz: 17th at Fox Chapel Golf Club
Biarritz
The Biarritz hole is named after the 3rd hole at the Golf de Biarritz in France, a par-3 that features a distinctive, large green bisected by a deep swale. This template challenges golfers with its massive green, often stretching over 60 yards in length, and its pronounced dip or “valley” that runs through the middle. The key to playing a Biarritz hole lies in correctly gauging the distance and the position of the pin, as the swale can make putting from one side of the green to the other extremely difficult.
Macdonald and Raynor saw the Biarritz hole as a way to test a golfer’s accuracy and ability to control distance. The green’s size and the swale that runs across it force players to think carefully about where to land their shots. A well-executed shot that lands on the correct tier of the green can result in an easy birdie opportunity, but missing the mark can leave a player with a lengthy and challenging putt. The Biarritz hole also emphasizes the importance of understanding green contours and the impact they can have on putting.
The Biarritz template, like the others, showcases Macdonald and Raynor’s ability to blend strategy with artistry. The sweeping green and the dramatic swale create a visually impressive hole, while the strategic demands ensure that it remains a formidable challenge. It forces good players to choose the right club and execute while giving higher handicap players the chance to run a ball into a back pin or hit past a front pin. Fun is the best way to describe this template.
Photo credit to Patrick Koenig | Double Plateau: 1st at Yeamans Hall Club
Double Plateau
The Double Plateau hole is another brilliant example of Macdonald and Raynor’s innovative design philosophy. This template is defined by a large green with two distinct plateaus, separated by a lower, flat area. The green’s contouring creates natural challenges, as golfers must not only hit the correct tier but also ensure that their ball stays on that tier to avoid a difficult putt. The Double Plateau hole is typically designed as a par-4 or par-5, with the green serving as the focal point of the hole’s strategy.
One of the key strategic elements of the Double Plateau hole is the approach shot. The green’s unique contours demand precise distance control and shot placement. A ball that lands on the wrong plateau or in the flat area between the two tiers can leave the golfer with a challenging putt that must navigate the steep slopes between the tiers. The green’s size and complexity also make putting a test of both skill and nerve, as even a small misjudgment can result in a three-putt or worse.
Photo credit to Golfcoursegurus.com | Punchbowl: 15th at Sleepy Hollow Country Club
Punchbowl
The Punchbowl is one of the more visually striking and player-friendly template holes designed by C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor. This unique hole typically features a green that sits in a natural depression or “bowl,” often surrounded by slopes that funnel errant shots back toward the center of the green. The Punchbowl is inspired by traditional Scottish links courses, where natural landforms were often used to create interesting and challenging greens.
What makes the Punchbowl so enjoyable is its forgiving nature. Even if a golfer’s approach shot is slightly off-target, the sloping sides of the green often guide the ball back toward the hole, offering a chance for redemption. This characteristic not only adds a fun element to the hole but also encourages more aggressive play, as golfers know they have some margin for error.
Strategically, the Punchbowl green can be a double-edged sword. While it may seem to offer an easy target, the challenge lies in the subtleties of the green’s contours. Once on the green, putting can be tricky, as the bowl shape often creates deceptive breaks and dramatic slopes. The Punchbowl green can vary significantly from course to course, with some featuring severe slopes and others more subtle depressions, but the overall concept remains the same: a green that rewards creativity and skillful shot-making for players of all skill levels.
