Define Gimmicky Design

[sloppydisc]

Sunken Basket
Triple Mandos
Artificial OB - Ropes
Multiple man-made elevated baskets

There are other elements that I don't like listed, but if a designer is working in a public park there will be times when walking paths, buildings etc are forced to be near the course. It isn't ideal, but not gimmicky. I'd define gimmicky more as an unnatural feature added by the designer to add an element lacking in the natural landscape. For example, large man-made hill topped with 10' pole a d basket on top; evil yellow ropes; walls; multiple mandos not for safety, but to force 1 specific shot or limit another etc.

I may not be able to define gimmicky design well, but I know it when I see it. But, on certain courses it can be used to make the course better. It just seems to get over done, and used too often.

[Captain Bad]

Though I've never played one myself, sunken baskets have always looked gimmicky to me. I just don't see what worth they could possibly add to a hole other than to say that it has a sunken basket - the epitome of a gimmick.

[Cgkdisc]

Sunken baskets allows skippers, sliders and rollers to hole out. Skipper, slider and rollers are skills worth developing like any other shot. We're all practicing our skippers and sliders in Minnesota this time of year.

[duckychucky]

I like the idea of the sunken basket for holing out with
a roller shot. However I think I'd want to use that
vortex basket with the cross-linked chains to prevent
roll-thrus.

[Guurn]

[QUOTE=BogeyNoMore;1791830]

I'm not a fan of these:
• Artificial OOB (yellow ropes etc)
• triple mandos - doubles can be fun, but triples..
• Island Holes/Peninsula(artificial oob) - although they can be fun
• BUNCR designed - I don't believe in bunkers in DG, maybe that's just me.
• forced carries over massive oob - do you really need to penalize noodle arms? isn't needing extra strokes on ling holes enough "penalty?"
• artificial obstacles used to force specific shots
/Quote]

I would add plinko holes.

[DavidSauls]

Hanging baskets may be the ultimate gimmick. If it's stable and out of the wind, it basically plays the same as a fixed basket. And if it's moving in the wind---a moving target is quite a departure from the standards of the game.

And yet, it can look awful cool.

[scarpfish]

Not all gimmicky design is bad. Sometimes you need a gimmick or two to spice up a piece of land that doesn't offer much else. I'd much rather have gimmicky than boring.

[optidiscic]

It is like Porn versus art isn't it...you know it when you see it.

I also think all of the above can be seen as gimmicky and then not gimmicky based on the circumstance

What I find fascinating is that gimmicks typically add to the skill level/challenge/strategy/mental aspect of a hole....but when a player fails the test..they mutter "gimmicky hole poor design...lol

Tyler State Park
Idlewild Kentucky
Rennaisance Park

The list goes on and on of respected courses with such aspects

[crashzero]

Originally Posted by optidiscic

What I find fascinating is that gimmicks typically add to the skill level/challenge/strategy/mental aspect of a hole....but when a player fails the test..they mutter "gimmicky hole poor design...lol

The game is not about the player passing the gimmick test that you have created for them, but you seem to think it is. You misunderstand that the more pure the game is, the better and more fun it is.

Im not sure what your pdga rating is or what level you play the game at, but this kind of attitude is usually from a player who has a certain resentment towards pros and higher level players, because they are the ones gimmicks are usually aimed at. The lower level player could care less, it has little to no effect on them.

So, gimmicks are a perfect way for a 'designer' to get a jab in at the pros all under the false pretense of 'more fun'

[optidiscic]

Originally Posted by crashzero

The game is not about the player passing the gimmick test that you have created for them, but you seem to think it is. You misunderstand that the more pure the game is, the better and more fun it is.

Im not sure what your pdga rating is or what level you play the game at, but this kind of attitude is usually from a player who has a certain resentment towards pros and higher level players, because they are the ones gimmicks are usually aimed at. The lower level player could care less, it has little to no effect on them.

So, gimmicks are a perfect way for a 'designer' to get a jab in at the pros all under the false pretense of 'more fun'

This is very much the heart of the argument Thank You

So design elements done by top pros that many consider to be gimmicks are still them taking jabs at other pros?