The message of great, strategic golf course architecture is clear. The actual words used to describe those golf courses, however, are many. The Architecture Glossary column will examine more precise terms and concepts that one will find when exploring golf course architecture. Hopefully understanding these terms, and why certain architects employed them, will help you to better understand the golf courses you play…and maybe even improve your scores!
Today’s term is ‘Line of Charm’.
The “line of charm” is perhaps best understood by stepping back from golf and considering logistics. There is a gold nugget on the other side of the creek from where you stand, and you and a stranger both want it. Obviously, the quickest and most direct way to reach the prize is to jump across the creek. This, however, invites the unpleasantness of being soaking wet if you miss, or worse, breaking an ankle. Therefore the stranger may choose to walk down the creek to a bridge, and then back up to the gold once they’ve reached the other side. You jump, because you want to beat him to the gold.
Now that you’re wealthy and dry, we can look at the same concept as it occurs during the design of a golf course.
The idea of traveling straight from the tee toward the flag is referred to as a “line of instinct,” because it’s natural for any living thing to find the quickest way toward a goal. Golf courses that allow players to travel directly at the hole without considering hazards are often dismissively referred to as “freeway golf.”
Not quite the opposite, but more thought-provoking, is the “line of charm” concept; putting players in a position where they realize there is a quicker way to reach their goal, even if there’s risk involved.
The actual term “line of charm” originated with Max Behr, a respected writer and editor (Alister MacKenzie would cite him for the “line of charm” within The Spirit of St. Andrews), although slightly less popular in his day as an architect. Many of his existing designs exist in the Los Angeles area and operate on the bedrock of “charm.” His most notable remaining course is Lakeside Golf Club, which won the admiration of Bobby Jones and MacKenzie.
We’ll consider the first hole (ironically, a Billy Bell design, as Behr’s original was destroyed in a flood). This 390-yard par four features a large bunker off the left of the fairway, at a distance where many golfers will hit their drives. Faced with this imposing hazard, a Darwinian golfer may think to themselves: “Well. Why should I risk leaving my drive in that sand hazard when there’s so much fairway, and no bunkers, on the right side?” Those who understand the basic concepts of strategic golf course architecture know exactly why: because it likely results in a better angle into the green.
The “line of charm” is the golf course architect’s method for tempting the golfer to take risks they otherwise wouldn’t. This does not mean the architect is forcing them to take that line, but rather forcing them to think about a shot for the costs they’ll incur if they miss, as well as the costs they’ll incur by taking a safer path.
Let’s return to No. 1 at Lakeside. Two players are about to begin a match, and may look at the hole in two completely different manners. The more aggressive player will challenge the bunker, thinking that he can take a point by scoring birdie. The more conservative player will avoid the hazard, but this doesn’t mean he’s surrendering the hole; he’s simply playing for par and hoping his opponent makes an error.
The line of charm, then, is not the opposite of a “line of instinct.” In fact, they’re often very similar, but golf course architects create hazards to challenge this path. Avoiding this path may be a “line of survival” (a term we made up).
Where else might one find such a line? As alluded to earlier, MacKenzie used the phrase when describing St. Andrews.
Rob's bunkers (right) look more intimidating from above, however Sutherland (at the left) will have a more profound impact on the average golfer's play at the Old Course No. 15.
Consider No. 15, Cartgate (In), one of the more underrated holes at the Old Course. The obvious play is to hit straight out from the tee box, toward the green. A pot bunker (Sutherland) sits 215 yards out from the Black tees, however, on that line. Does the player trust themselves to thread the bunker and the rough? Can they carry the bunker, especially if the wind is blowing? It may be enough to encourage them to bail out left, where some dune mounding can make the view of the green difficult.
St. Andrews, and other well-designed courses, also feature instances where the line of charm changes depending on where the flag is placed for that day. For example, consider No. 4 at Erin Hills Golf Course.
Photo credit: @TyGOLF
This long par four features a lengthy centerline bunker just ahead of the green. This forces players to take note of the pin position and then decide which set of fairway bunkers to challenge. If the flag is on the right of the green, players will try to carry those on the right to get the ideal line. The bunkers on the left are farther out, so conservative players have the opportunity of laying up on the left as a “line of survival.”
We brought up these three holes in particular because they all travel relatively straight from the tee; no doglegs. Although doglegs certainly have a “line of charm,” it’s easier to figure out the “ideal” path on an angled hole. If a hole is straight, the architect must consider the terrain, placement of hazards, and placement of greens more carefully to create lines of charm (as well as lines of survival).
We’ve already discussed “freeway” golf, but other schools of architecture also frequently defy the “line of charm” theory, such as the “penal” school. The penal era of golf course architecture sought to challenge golfers and take few prisoners, an attitude that — in its practitioners’ defense — was desirable to memberships at the time. Courses such as the Blue Monster at Trump National Doral squeeze the fairway with bunkers, water or a combination of the two on both sides of the fairway, not providing a “line of survival.” Generally, the player must still leave their shot on a specific side of the fairway to get the best line, but if there are hazards on all sides, there is no line of charm to suggest where that might be.
The “line of charm” is not simply a sign instructing players where to hit, such as a directional pole rising over a dune on the linksland. Rather, it’s a challenge placed by the architect to inform the wise golfer that if they wish to score, they’ve got to come this way. So if you’re ever standing at a tee and wondering to yourself why the bunker on the left looks so good when the right is wide open, don’t worry: You’re not a fool.
You’ve just been charmed.
Old Sawmill Golf Club — Tyler Rae's First Solo Design The new golf course building revolution in South Carolina continues to sprint along. Amidst the high-profile new offerings of Old Barnwell, The Tree Farm, and Anson Point, the maiden solo effort from architect Tyler Rae flies a little under the radar at Old Sawmill Golf Club. Tyler Rae is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and has extensive work experience with notable architects Ron Pritchard, Keith Foster, Coore and Crenshaw, Tom Doak, and Bruce Hepner, amongst others. His experience in the field of restorations of Ross, Raynor, Flynn, and Tillinghast has enabled him to access a vast array of styles upon which he can draw for this first solo project. Old Sawmill is located about 30 miles northwest of Charleston, near the town of Ridgeville, and about two hours from the rising mecca of South Carolina golf, Aiken. The course is built on former farmland, and the business model is once again an exclusive private club with high-end initiation fees and predominantly national memberships that have thrived in the post-COVID golf boom era. The Old Sawmill site, previously farmland, is in no way laden with striking natural features or topography, which is in no way a disclaimer for what Tyler Rae has created, quite the opposite. It is more of an homage to what he has been able to lay out for the golfer. The final product reflects an old-school Golden Age layout and presents a finished landscape somewhat reminiscent of the Chicago Golf Club. First impressions upon arrival are underwhelming, and it’s hard to see how this land can create an interesting course. That feeling is soon changed as the course progresses. Tyler Rae has obviously absorbed all of the fabulous experiences from his restoration projects of that Golden Age period, because whilst playing Old Sawmill, one is constantly reminded of the likes of Ross, Raynor, and even Pete Dye as your eyes feast on the product laid out before you. The delightfully intimate routing is so reminiscent of Donald Ross, as the holes turn and meander in every direction to all four corners of the property. The sparse landscape of native grasses and the spectacular green sites that one will play later creates an atmosphere of anticipation. It is a very walkable experience, with any elevation changes masterfully utilised to perfection in the routing. Ample fairway playing lanes — but often with Dye-like visual illusions — create a wonderfully inviting playing experience. The pièce de résistance of the course, however, are the green complexes and beautiful bunkering, both in the fairways and greenside. In fact, the bunkering is quite stunning: wonderful contouring, but without being overdone in any shape or form. It is often accompanied by steep grass-faced bunkers and elevated greens that combine to create exciting visual approaches. Selecting favourite holes is not easy. The stretch from holes 2–8 is all you can handle, and is really the least of the course as far as the scorecard is concerned. The 2nd is a stunning Raynor-like par three, playing from 150–200 yards to a rectangular green with gorgeous step bunkers to the right, followed by a series of three tough par fours ranging from 370–495 yards — all wonderful holes. The par-five 8th is very cool, said to be the first hole created on the course and based upon a hole Tyler designed as a teenager. A huge mountain of a mound guards the right side approach to the green and creates the most wonderful strategic hazard to be negotiated — simply brilliant design. On the back nine, a creek runs through the property and is strategically used by Rae, starting as a hazard to be crossed in front of the spectacular 11th green. It comes into play again on the 12th hole Punchbowl. The 13th is a drivable Cape par four that combines the visual language of Dye with the aforementioned Cape template — again, quite brilliant. A wonderfully designed golf course. Massive kudos to Tyler Rae on his first solo design. On the evidence of Old Sawmill, his name is going to be mentioned extensively in the future. Contributed Words - Michael Wharton Palmer Edited - Jasper Miners
Golf architecture has a language now. Golden Age architects wrote about strategic philosophy, heroic design, and penal architecture. They documented templates: Redan, Cape, Alps. By the modern era, architects like Pete Dye and Tom Doak were publishing books and creating frameworks for evaluation: risk-reward, half-par holes, shot values. Golfers of all levels added their own preferences, and layers of documented thought now sit between a golfer and the ground beneath their feet. Elie Golf Links dates from 1589, with the current course formed 1895, long before we had language to describe what made a course good or terminology to label its features as 'unfair' or 'impractical.' Old Tom Morris walked the ground and let it dictate the golf. Elie wasn't designed to answer questions about templates or strategy because those questions hadn't been asked yet. It just is what the land wanted to be. Early architects had almost no tools to reshape the land; they didn't have bulldozers, graders, or irrigation networks. They also didn't have the time, budget, or desire to get in the way. Without the means to fight the land, architects had no choice but to trust it, and the subtle rolls, odd tilts, and irregular slopes that give older courses their character emerge naturally because there was never anything to erase them. Modern architects face the opposite condition. With heavy machinery and mass grading, they can pursue whatever theory or vision they want. The downside is that those natural details — features that might have anchored a unique hole — often disappear in the process, erased to make room for hazards or shapes that fit preferred ideas. The irony is that the ability to create anything has led to courses that feel less varied than the ones built when architects could create almost nothing. When you can reshape everything, it becomes easier, almost natural, to repeat the forms that have been praised before. Front-To-Back Greens at Elie The most distinctive feature of Elie is its eight front-to-back sloped greens. Members at Elie even claim that William and Henry Fownes took inspiration from their club when designing Oakmont, which also features many front-to-back greens. It's a design feature that is largely dormant, with most courses opting for back-to-front slopes that punish short misses and reward aerial precision. In an era where distance overwhelms most classic designs, front-to-back slopes are a built-in defence that length can't defeat. Draw spin that puts you two yards deeper on a green anywhere else is likely to send the ball running off the back. A short iron from 150 yards demands a real decision about trajectory, spin, and landing zone rather than the automatic stock shot. It keeps the course honest without adding length or artificial difficulty. Front-to-back greens fell out of favour for both practical and philosophical reasons. Modern green construction standards are built so that nothing drains on to the putting surface. A back-to-front green can drop off sharply at the back without issue, because that edge isn't in play. Front-to-back greens don't have that luxury. But the main reason is philosophical. Golfers perceive them as unfair because a shot that's slightly long runs away from you in a way that feels disproportionate to the mistake. The shift towards aerial approaches stems from the belief that they offer the clearest, most objective measure of a "good shot." Early Scottish golfers had no such expectations. Rub of the green was literally in the rulebook, covering everything from a divot to a sheep kicking your ball. Blindness at The Golf House Club Elie These golfers didn't feel entitled to see every shot either; blindness was part of the sport, and to repeat what has been said many times in Scotland, "A shot is only blind once." Modern golfers expect to see the entire putting surface and flagstick from the fairway, and back-to-front slopes naturally provide that visibility, whilst front-to-back greens hide the back portion and obscure depth perception. The 6th at Elie is a clear example of that divide. The tee shot climbs over a rise to a fairway you can't see. The land falls and tilts in a way that feels both natural but slightly off-balance. Four bunkers sit in the middle of the fairway, 240–270 yards from the tee, and right beyond them begins a steep fall off to the green, which is severely sloped from front to back. By modern standards, it violates multiple "rules," and yet the hole works beautifully. Holes like the 6th and 10th are appreciated by everyone who plays the course, but they wouldn't be replicated by a course today. Everyone claims to love links golf and its quirks, but there's an unspoken limit to that appreciation. The assumption seems to be that because these courses were built in golf's infancy, we can appreciate their oddities, but we shouldn't actually design like this any more. I am wary of assigning too much blame to modern architects. Linksland is the best canvas the game has, and the early designers had first choice. Modern architects who've been fortunate enough to work on similar ground have produced plenty of great courses, even if they're more polished and less quirky. Old Tom Morris’ Routing at Elie Great routing requires understanding how the land wants to be walked, and trusting that natural variety is enough. With the ability to reshape the ground freely, there's pressure to make every hole theatrical and to manufacture drama where the land might be quieter. The result is that many modern courses feel disjointed. It's like an action film that fills every scene with car chases. Elie doesn't work that way. Some parts of the land are naturally dramatic, and some aren't. Elie's routing works because Old Tom didn't have that temptation, which gives the round a pacing modern courses rarely achieve. The round builds gradually. The early holes are solid but not spectacular; they feel like a warm-up, partly because a long stone wall confines them. The middle stretch opens up, revealing the course's range. Then, at the 10th, you reach the top of a hill, and the sea appears all at once. It's the natural climax because that's where the land delivers its most dramatic moment. The stretch along the shoreline that follows contains some of the best holes in Fife, with a feeling that the course has been building towards this all along. Then there's the finish. The beauty of it is how unremarkable it is. The course is built into the land, so naturally, at some point, you have to start working your way back to where you started. And that means the ending can't be, and shouldn't be, as grand as what came before. A modern architect might try to manufacture a grand finale here, to end with a flourish that matches the coastal stretch. But that's not what the land offers. The holes returning to the clubhouse are good but not breathtaking, and that restraint makes the whole course feel more honest. Not every part of the ground can be spectacular, and Elie doesn't pretend otherwise. At Elie, we don't know what Old Tom was thinking. There's no overarching technical pattern, no documented philosophy to guide our interpretation. That lack of explanation is what gives the course its purity. You're forced to experience it on your own terms, to figure out what works and why without being told what the design is supposed to mean. That might be the most valuable thing courses like Elie offer: the chance to encounter golf before it had to answer to anything but the ground itself. Authored by Sam Weitzman-Kurker Edited by Jasper Miners
Japan remains one of Asia's premier golf destinations, where Golden Age architecture meets meticulous course conditioning across nearly 2,500 layouts. The top three positions hold steady for another cycle, with Charles Hugh Alison's masterpieces at Hirono and Kawana continuing their decade-long dominance. This focused Top 50 represents Japan's upper echelon, where architectural pedigree from designers like Alison, Seiichi Inoue, and Kinya Fujita meets modern championship standards. Explore the entire updated Rankings for Japan Explore the entire updated Rankings for Chubu Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kinki Kansai Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kanto Explore the entire updated Rankings for Chugoku Explore the entire updated Rankings for Hokkaido Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kyushu Explore the entire updated Rankings for Tohoku 2026 Rankings: Return to Top 50 After expanding to a Top 80 in 2020, the 2026 rankings refocus on Japan's elite tier with a carefully curated Top 50. This streamlined approach highlights courses that truly warrant international travel, from Alison's revered Golden Age designs to acclaimed modern layouts by Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Jnr, and Coore & Crenshaw. Beyond the ranked fifty, dozens of additional layouts offer exceptional golf experiences. The concentration of quality throughout Japan's eight main regions means travellers can build comprehensive itineraries without venturing far from major transport hubs. 2026 Top 50 At A Glance The Unchanged Elite Three courses maintain their positions at the summit. Hirono Golf Club (#1), Kawana Hotel Fuji Course (#2), and Naruo Golf Club (#3) form Japan's untouchable triumvirate, all featuring distinctive Alison architectural DNA. The Dramatic Climbers Osaka Golf Club rises 22 positions to #11 Golden Valley Golf Club surges 15 spots to #12 Katayamazu Hakusan climbs 15 places to #21 Sapporo Wattsu advances 15 positions to #34 Ibusuki Kaimon gains 15 spots to #35 Fukuoka Wajiro jumps 11 places to #28 Caledonian rises 9 positions to #29 Notable Movements Within Top 20 Tokyo Golf Club advances 2 to #4 Ryugasaki climbs 5 to #7 Shimonoseki rises 6 to #9 Abiko slips from #2 to #6 Kasumigaseki East drops 2 to #10 Regional Distribution Kanto: 21 courses (42%) Kinki Kansai: 10 courses (20%) Chubu: 5 courses (10%) Kyushu: 5 courses (10%) Hokkaido: 5 courses (10%) Tohoku: 2 courses (4%) Chugoku: 1 course (2%) Best Golf Courses by Region Kanto Dominance From Golden Age designs at Tokyo Golf Club and Abiko to modern classics like Caledonian and The Royal Golf Club, the region offers an exceptional variety within easy reach of the capital. Kinki Kansai Heritage Osaka-Kobe corridor delivers architectural gravitas through Alison masterworks and their spiritual successors. All three podium finishers call this region home, alongside the rising star Osaka Golf Club. Hokkaido's Resort Appeal The northern island punches above its weight with five courses, led by Hokkaido Classic (#17) and Katsura (#18). Cooler summers and dramatic topography create distinctive playing conditions compared to the main island. Chubu and Kyushu Balance Chubu benefits from Kawana's prestige and Katayamazu's surge, while Kyushu anchors Japan's southern golf culture through Phoenix and multiple climbing entries. Explore the entire updated Rankings for Japan Explore the entire updated Rankings for Chubu Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kinki Kansai Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kanto Explore the entire updated Rankings for Chugoku Explore the entire updated Rankings for Hokkaido Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kyushu Explore the entire updated Rankings for Tohoku What the Rankings Tell Us Consistency at the Summit Hirono, Kawana, and Naruo have occupied the top three positions across multiple ranking cycles. This unprecedented stability reflects architectural timelessness rather than ranking inertia. Each course underwent sensitive restoration work that honoured original design intent while meeting modern playing standards. Gil Hanse's work at Tokyo Golf Club demonstrates how thoughtful updates can elevate standing without compromising architectural integrity. Alison's Enduring Legacy Charles Hugh Alison spent just three months in Japan in 1930, yet his influence permeates the rankings. Four of the top five courses bear his architectural fingerprints, either through direct design work or profound influence on protégés like Kinya Fujita and Seiichi Inoue. The distinctive "Alison bunker" - deep, boldly contoured, and strategically menacing - remains the defining feature of Japanese golf architecture. These hazards function as effectively today as when first shaped, proof of Alison's tactical genius and understanding of eternal golf principles. Kanto's Architectural Depth Tokyo's surrounding region claims 21 of 50 ranked courses, showcasing remarkable architectural diversity. Golden Age classics sit alongside acclaimed modern works from international architects. The concentration allows passionate golfers to experience multiple elite courses without extensive travel. A Decade of Evolution: 2015-2020 Top 30 Golf Courses of Japan 2015 Japan's first expanded Top 30 arrived in February 2015, doubling previous Top 15 coverage. The top five remained unchanged, cementing Hirono, Kawana, Naruo, Tokyo, and Abiko as undisputed leaders. The rankings emphasised Alison's lasting impact, noting that any deep, bold bunker throughout Japan remained known simply as "an Alison" nearly 85 years after his brief visit. Top 30 Golf Courses of Japan 2017 The 2017 update maintained the Top 30 structure with minimal disruption at the summit. Hirono through Naruo, held their positions for the fourth consecutive cycle, demonstrating extraordinary consistency across nearly a decade of evaluation. Notable developments included Ono climbing five spots to #5 and Osaka advancing eight positions to #8, both Osamu Ueda designs gaining recognition for strategic merit. Yokohama Country Club West burst onto the scene at #6 following an extensive Coore & Crenshaw renovation that eliminated the traditional two-green system for modern single greens with sub-air cooling. Top 50 Golf Courses of Japan 2018 March 2018 brought Japan's first Top 50 rankings, expanding coverage to showcase deeper architectural quality. Yokohama Country Club West continued its meteoric rise, climbing three positions to #3 following widespread acclaim for the Coore & Crenshaw transformation. Nikko Country Club advanced three spots to #11, showcasing Seiichi Inoue's understated approach through tree-lined fairways and strategic bunkering. The layout features no water hazards yet maintains compelling challenge through terrain movement and hazard placement. Hokkaido Classic and Phoenix Country Club each jumped eight positions, highlighting expanding panel appreciation for courses beyond traditional Kanto-Kansai strongholds. Planning Your Japan Golf Trip Tokyo Hub Strategy Base yourself in Tokyo to access 15 ranked courses within 90 minutes. The capital's excellent train network makes day trips effortless, with courses like Tokyo Golf Club, Abiko, and Kasumigaseki East all reachable by morning tee times. Premium options include Yokohama Country Club West and Ryugasaki for modern course conditioning married to strategic design. Kansai Cultural Circuit Osaka and Kobe offer ten-ranked courses alongside exceptional cultural attractions. Hirono Golf Club represents the ultimate pilgrimage for architecture enthusiasts, while Naruo and Ono deliver similarly compelling Golden Age experiences. The region's historical significance and culinary excellence create perfect golf-cultural balance. Northern Exposure Hokkaido's five-ranked courses justify dedicated northern travel, particularly during summer when the main island's heat proves challenging. Hokkaido Classic leads the region at #17, with Katsura, Sapporo Wattsu, Otaru, and Eniwa offering varied architectural approaches across dramatic terrain. Summer temperatures 5-10 degrees cooler than Tokyo make Hokkaido golf refreshingly pleasant during July and August. The island's natural beauty and fresh seafood cuisine enhance the golfing experience. Southern Warmth Kyushu's five courses anchor Japan's southern golf culture, led by Phoenix at #26 and rising star Ibusuki Kaimon at #35. Winter golf proves viable when northern regions face seasonal closure, making Kyushu ideal for December through March travel. The region's volcanic hot springs and subtropical climate create a distinctive atmosphere compared to metropolitan Kanto-Kansai. Fukuoka serves as the natural hub, with courses like Fukuoka Wajiro (#28) and Koga (#15) within comfortable driving distance. Looking Ahead The Japanese golf scene continues evolving through sensitive restoration work and selective new development. Several courses outside the current Top 50 have undertaken renovations aimed at revealing original architectural intent, potentially reshaping future rankings. The complete Top 50 golf courses in Japan offers detailed information about each ranked layout, including course details, review options, and travel logistics for planning your Japanese golf adventure. Explore the entire updated Rankings for Japan Explore the entire updated Rankings for Chubu Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kinki Kansai Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kanto Explore the entire updated Rankings for Chugoku Explore the entire updated Rankings for Hokkaido Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kyushu Explore the entire updated Rankings for Tohoku
