The Golf Template is an in-depth exploration of the legendary “Golden Age” template concepts pioneered by C. B. Macdonald, Seth Raynor, Donald Ross, A. W. Tillinghast, and Alister MacKenzie—architects whose principles reshaped American golf and continue to define strategic course design today. Within its pages, 33 individual template holes are identified, illustrated, defined, and reimagined, blending historical foundation with forward-thinking architectural vision. Central to the study is MacKenzie’s theory that the green serves as the strategic heart of every hole, where subtle contouring, thoughtful risk-reward balance, and natural landforms dictate fairway alignment, hazard placement, and player decision-making. By uniting classic template theory with MacKenzie’s philosophy of strategic freedom and visual harmony, The Golf Template demonstrates how individual holes can be artfully linked into a cohesive, intelligently routed golf course that honors tradition while inspiring modern design.
The Lido Loop is a bold and thought-provoking exploration built around a single compelling question: can the strategic genius of Alister MacKenzie’s green designs be expanded into fully realized golf holes while remaining faithful to his 13 principles of architecture? Set on the historic grounds of the original Lido Golf Club—the visionary creation of Charles B. Macdonald—this theoretical study reimagines a three-hole sequence (Par 3, Par 4, and Par 5) where MacKenzie’s subtle contouring, tiered slopes, and risk-reward philosophy extend outward from the green to shape tees, fairways, hazards, and strategic pathways. Through meticulous interpretation of his original green sketches and architectural intent, The Lido Loop demonstrates that MacKenzie’s putting surfaces were never isolated features, but generative design blueprints capable of guiding an entire hole from tee to green—offering a powerful new lens on one of golf architecture’s most enduring minds.
