A FIRST FOR SA
Target greens feature in Royal range revamp
Royal Johannesburg have rebuilt their range facility to include Dave Pelz Wedge Target Greens, the first outside North America. Pelz is a short game guru who conceived the idea of artificial turf training modules for ranges which help golfers practice with purpose. Four target greens of varying sizes, with synthetic turf surfaces, have been built at Royal at distances of 50, 75, 100 and 125 metres from the hitting bays. The closest is 30 square metres, while the furthest is 200 square metres. “The greens have been designed and sited at those four distances to improve a golfer’s distance control,” says Jean- Luc Regaud, the South African design associate for Himalayas Golf, the Cana- dian company commissioned to design the project. “They are laid out in a V- shape for better visibility, and the size
of each green has been calculated using the average proximity a PGA or LPGA Tour player statistically hits to those specific distances.” Golf club ranges in South Africa are typically places where golfers either warm up before a round, or work on their swings. Few practice with a spe- cific purpose to hone aspects of their game. More of us should do. Statistics show 60% of all shots take place within 100 metres of a green. And, most damn- ingly, 80% of the shots golfers lose to par occur inside those 100 metres. The Pelz Target Greens are thus ideal for a golfer to put in a session using a bucket of balls aiming at the middle of each of these greens. They receive in- stant feedback on whether they have hit the correct shot and distance. Inter- estingly, there are no flags on the target
Jean-Luc Regaud (left) and Royal Johannesburg course superintendent Jerry Steyn.
greens, which Royal teaching profes- sional Gavan Levenson thought unusu- al, but rather white discs. Pelz regards this plate as the bullseye which golfers should aim to hit. It makes a distinct sound when struck by a golf ball. Pelz is not in favour of flags for his concept. The artificial turf ensures that the shape and size of a green remains the same throughout its lifespan and is not affected by mowing lines and topdress- ing. Each of the greens has an artificial rough fringe, surrounded by a sand border which captures balls and adds more visual pop and delineation from the rest of the range. Initial discussions for the project began with former Royal CEO Chris Bentley, who wanted the club to be the first facility in Africa showcasing these Target Greens. Himalayas Golf, not to be confused with the putting green of that name at St Andrews, is a new hold- ing company founded by former South African Paul Jansen, a golf course ar- chitect who has worked principally in the North American market. It incor- porates Jansen Golf Design and Pelz Player Greens. “The construction management of the project owes everything to Royal course superintendent Jerry Steyn,” says Regaud. “He contributed with in- novative cost-saving measures – Royal utilised its own TLB, a massive cost sav- ing, and in-house staff – which helped
The four new target greens at the Royal Johannesburg range.
112 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024
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