Hibernation Design

“They steal upon the sleeping mind while winter steals upon the landscape, sealing the inviting cups beneath sheets of ice, cloaking the contours of the fairway in snow.”
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John Updike - opening line to Golf Dreams

 
As a golf architect in the Northeast, I am often asked by folks that don’t know the industry, “What do you do in the winter?” Honestly, I enjoy the break from the game of golf itself and welcome as much snow as possible between December and February. Come March, I am longing for warmth and sunshine. But January and February are wonderful times to hike, snowshoe, or ski in the winter landscape while working on next seasons designs. “Hibernation Design” I call it. And it can be one of the most creative times of the year for me. Blowing snow and rounded forms provide inspiration much in the same way blowing sand and beach forms can. The process of nature is visible, and the palette is clean in new fallen snow. Rough forms are softened. There is also purity in the light that illuminates relief in the simplest of undulations. Those of you who are familiar with my work, know that much of my design inspiration comes from natural forms. So, I often photograph snow forms in the winter, and a few I have posted above. Good stuff.
 
And for those of you that have never read Golf Dreams by John Updike, it’s the perfect time of year to do so! Though not related to golf design forms, it is a most enjoyable winter read and often humorous view of the game we love.