Inside the Mind of the Master

Golden Tee 2009 Design-a-Hole Contest Update

Inside the Mind of the Master

Golden Tee Co-creator and Game Designer Jim Zielinski Gives Insight
into What Makes A "Good Golden Tee Hole"

DAH_logoWheels are churning, creative juices are flowing and the designs have been streaming in!

The Golden Tee 2009 Design-a-Hole Contest presented by Goldentee.com has players across the country flexing their golf course knowledge and searching the inner depths of their imaginations to come up with hole designs creative and challenging enough to be featured in Golden Tee 2009.

Everything from CAD drawing to simple e-mails have been submitted - with designs ranging from clever to just plain wacky.

But with so much creativity flying around, the question is, what's the best way to turn that creativity into a good Golden Tee hole?

To answer this, you go to the man with the most experience. And Jim Zielinski has two decades worth!

When it comes to designing virtual golf courses, Zielinski, senior game designer at Incredible Technologies and co-creator of Golden Tee Golf, is the know-all, be-all expert. In almost 20-years, he's designed nearly 2,000 individual holes for almost 100 Golden Tee courses.

And if that isn't enough a reason to take his advice, he's one of the judges for the Golden Tee 2009 Design-a-Hole Contest. So basically, there's no one better to hear what makes a good Golden Tee hole.

Jim_Z_image"The best Golden Tee holes are the ones that are fun and challenging even after playing the hole numerous times," Zielinski said. "Risk versus reward holes are great for this. Drivable par-4's or par-5's with shortcuts. The key for these though is to provide a challenge that isn't too frustrating."

To catch Jim's eye you need a design that's more than just pretty or exotic. Jim is a purist, and holes that feature elevation changes, touch shots and thinking will always win out over a hole with a creative look. One of Jim's favorites, the "Rock Shot" hole of Rattlesnake Ridge, was a par-4 where a player had to his their tee shot under a ridge and off a large rock to land the green. It's the type of hole that to this day still makes Jim smile.

That being said, Zielinski can't wait to see what kind of creative and imaginative holes the players come up with. Though he cautions them about taking it too far.

"I understand that players are going to come up with some very creative entries," commented Zielinski. "But at some point a hole can become too creative and it stops becoming the game of golf. No matter what, this is still a golf game. And I think our players are smart and creative enough to come up with some holes that are engaging to the eye and a challenge to play."

In case you hadn't heard, the Golden Tee 2009 Design-a-Hole Contest empowers you, the player, to leave your signature mark on the world's most famous video golf game. Players have to ability to design there own Golden Tee golf and submit them for a chance at having their hole design immortalized in Golden Tee 2009 - the commemorative, 20th anniversary of the award-winning golf series.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE DESIGN-A-HOLE HOMEPAGE

Golden Tee 2009 Design-a-Hole Contest
Presented by Goldentee.com

Leave your mark on Golden Tee history!