By Design – Issue 52, Spring 2021

26 ASGCA DESIGN EXCELLENCE PING PROVING GROUNDS P ing, the golf equipment manufacturer, wanted a new practice green at its professional demo center in Phoenix, Arizona, which would provide highly accurate slope increments so its tour professionals could hone skills and test new clubs. ASGCA President Forrest Richardson was appointed for the project and tasked with transforming an area of 8,000 square feet into a putting surface suitable for elite player practice. Richardson was asked to design the practice green with slopes at various increments between 0 and 2 percent. He was also asked to create a practice bunker with sand that can be easily removed and replaced with another type, for club testing. “The putting and chipping area must offer a variety of slopes and breaks with surrounding terrain that approximates real-world chipping conditions,” said Richardson. “The 350-square-foot bunker is purposefully small and lined with a Better Billy Bunker hard liner so sand can be quickly removed and replaced with any variety needed for specific testing. For example, Augusta ‘white marble’ sand may be in place during the months leading up to the Masters, while different sand types may be installed prior to New green with highly accurate slope increments allows Ping tour professionals to hone skills and test new clubs. Putting with precision Photo: ASGCA President Forrest Richardson