News, Guest Articles, Interviews, and Video from around the Web

“Major changes could come to Sacramento’s William Land Golf Course for 100th anniversary”

by Chris Biderman from The Sacramento Bee

October 2023

“Woods, along with Youth Parks and Community Enrichment (YPCE) of Sacramento, commissioned renowned golf architect Brett Hochstein of Hochstein Design to present a master plan covering these improvements that is expected to come around the end of the year. Once the design is in place, Woods and other officials will determine how to go forward with the plan.

…The plan for the Land Park course is one of two in which Hochstein is commissioned for. Woods confirmed Hochstein is also in the early process of creating a similar plan for the popular Alister Mackenzie Course at Haggin Oaks, which was originally designed by Mackenzie in the 1930s. But various changes have left the course feeling far less like a Mackenzie design than others, which feature his signature complex greens and ornate bunkers.”

“The Overlooked Old”

by Brett Hochstein from The Fried Egg

July 2022

“What I like most about the course, though, and what has made it stand the test of time, is its strategic ambiguity. While there are certain tactics that prevail most of the time (play left of Hell Bunker on 14, favor the right of the fairway to approach 17, etc.) the course is so odd, varied, and randomly contoured and bunkered that there is no set strategy. It all depends on the day’s wind and turf conditions, the hole location, and the players’ abilities and how they might be hitting it that day. The lines of attack can change from day to day, player to player, and season to season. Furthermore, your plan for a hole often is best reassessed after each shot.”

“Breaking Down Barriers With The Loop at Chaska”

by Bradley Klein from The USGA

February 2022

“Utilizing what Warren called the “Humpty Dumpty” character of the Himalayas would provide ground-game interest for all while keeping the course playable and accessible for everyday players, beginners and those using mobility aides. He also explained his idea of drawing on several talented shapers to build the course, making what Warren called “cameo appearances” in succession. “They could use their time in between other jobs to help us, and of course we’d pay them for their time,” said Warren. A talented band of bulldozer artisans helped with the feature shaping, including Jim Craig, Brett Hochstein and Jonathan Reisetter.”

“The Lure of the Puzzle”

by Brett Hochstein from The Fried Egg

July 2021

“These types of options can lead you to open up your inner monologue to the rest of your group, announcing your potential plays and thought process, and, after your first attempt, immediately dropping another ball or two to try out the other paths. Maybe others in your group will come over and attempt those same shots or explore alternate solutions. There can be a bit of one upmanship as each player tries to find the most outlandish, out-of-the-way route to the hole.

In my own group, we ended up hitting one shot 180 degrees away from the hole, 30 yards up a big slope, to reach a pin that was originally just 10 yards away. On certain greens, we could have been out there for hours, trying to solve the puzzle.

Golf, unfortunately, is not often like this. That’s too bad, and it’s something I hope to help change throughout my career. It was, however, just like this at the beginning…”

“Asking Questions at Askernish”

by Brett Hochstein from Golf Course Architecture

September 2020

“My experience and travels since then have allowed me to see how golf truly was once natural. Nowhere was this more acute than at Askernish. Seeing golf like this in its most raw (and frankly, delightful) form then raises the question about how far golf has come and where it may be going. Progress is generally considered to be better not just in golf but in all of society. In golf’s case though, it makes you wonder if we have gone a bit too far.”

“Highly Technical Golf Talk #6 - The West Coast's newest golf courses and Scotland story time with architect Brett Hochstein”

from the Golf Guide Podcast

June 2020

“Architect/Designer Brett Hochstein joins us to discuss some of the Pacific Coast's newest golf courses and developments, future golf architecture design trends, and stories from his time in Scotland at Askernish Golf Links.”

“Highly Technical Golf Talk #4 - The life and legacy of architect Jack Fleming with Brett Hochstein”

from the Golf Guide Podcast

May 2020

“Golf course architect Brett Hochstein joins today's show to discuss his story about the life and career of Jack Fleming, one of the most prominent golf course architects in Northern California history. Jack Fleming designed more than 30 golf courses in Northern California throughout the 20th century, worked with the famed Dr. Alister MacKenzie, yet is relatively unknown in the world of golf course design.”

“Gleneagles Golf Course Needs Your Help”

by Brett Hochstein from The Fried Egg

April 2020

“Known for its difficulty, a group of sneaky-good regulars, and a low-key, blue-collar vibe, Gleneagles (not THAT Gleneagles) is decidedly old-school San Francisco. The clubhouse is a step back in time, with dusty old décor, warm lighting, and the type of soft jazz coming through the speakers that only veteran SF cabbies seem to love. You won’t be able to find the latest TaylorMades in the pro shop—because there is no pro shop. But you can help yourself to most any Highland single malt at the bar, which overlooks the course and the San Francisco Bay and is a contender for the best hangout spot in all of golf.”

“The Up-and-Over”

by Brett Hochstein from The Fried Egg

March 2020

“This contour, which should be covered in tightly mown grass, helps feed the ball toward the hole—if your shot is on line. If it is not, the up-and-over will deflect your ball farther away. This is a true “help or hurt” feature, differentiating great shots from merely good ones.”

“California club embarks on multi-phase renovation”

from Golf Course Industry

July 2018

“The Saticoy Club in Somis, Calif., has embarked on a multi-phase golf course renovation project…Thad Layton of Arnold Palmer Design Company is lead architect on the project team, while contractor Heritage Links and architect Brett Hochstein are implementing the new bunker styling.” 

“Golf Course Architect Roundtable 9: Tour Dream Courses and Architectural Principles"

from The Fried Egg

December 2017

“Q: What is one thing that you wish the common golfer understood about golf course architecture?

Hochstein: The ground game, especially with regard to the American version of golf. There are many reasons the ground game is ignored on this side of “The Pond,” the first being our naturally hotter and wetter climate make it harder to grow the favorable fine-leafed grasses like fescue.

There is also a fascination with grass that is a lush green color, and endless amounts of resources are spent to achieve that color. The greener and softer playing grasses led to a whole litany of courses designed to only challenge the aerial game. Thus, we have a golfing culture that is missing half the picture, a half that I would argue is the most interesting and enjoyable part of the game."  

“Golf Course Architect Roundtable 10: Favorite Holes and Golf Rules"

from The Fried Egg

December 2017

“What sets it apart though is the strategic component and advantage gained by playing more aggressively down the blind right side, flirting with out of bounds as well as having to get the ball up sooner over the rail sheds. That right side opens up the green for a running approach to find more areas of the green, but the judgment and execution for doing so are still both incredibly difficult. If you don’t find the green, which is typically the case, the short game possibilities for your next play are almost endless—the most famous and fun being the putt corralled around the deep Road Bunker to a hole sitting just behind it. The challenge of making a famous and memorable 4 (which I am 0-4 on) is so great and so desired each time stepping up onto that tee. To do so requires thought, bravery, execution, and creativity. You can’t ask for much more than that in a single hole, especially when you sprinkle in a strong dose of aura and history.”

“Design week: Ginella’s best architects under 40"

from The Golf Channel

4 December 2017

“Matt Ginella reveals his picks for the best course architects under 40. Ginella also explains how to become an architect."

“My Favorite Template with Brett Hochstein & Jon Cavalier"

from Geeked on Golf

18 November 2017

“The original Leven, known to the Lundin Golf Club as “Trows,” is somewhat hard to figure out upon first sight.  For one, the green is barely visible behind a hill offset to the left, and only just the top of the flag can be seen from the elevated medal (back) tees.  From the left forward tees, it would not be out of question to think upon first glance that the hole plays to the nearby 2nd green on the right.  It is this blindness though, along with a burn (stream) running diagonally across the landing area, that give the hole its unique strategy that would be replicated numerous times by Macdonald, Seth Raynor, and others."

“The Fried Egg Podcast, Episode 56: A Design Discussion with Jay Blasi and Brett Hochstein"

from The Fried Egg

3 November 2017

“Architects Jay Blasi and Brett Hochstein join the pod to discuss the dark ages of golf course architecture and what the future holds for those courses."

“Getting to Know: Brett Hochstein, Golf Course Architect"

from American Golfer

1 February 2017

“AG: What is the future of golf course design?

BH: That is tough to say. We may already be looking at it right now, for I don’t know how or why we would go away from the current trends of design. The emphasis is and should be on golf that is more fun, more affordable, more environmentally friendly, and less time consuming to play. Some designs carry these ideals forward better than others, but for the most part it seems like these things are at least being considered in the majority of projects. Things ought to only continue down this path with short course options for urban areas, more creative and minimalist designs, increased inclusiveness to the game, and a more reduced approach to maintenance. Golf didn’t begin as a sport of excess. It’s time to get away from that mentality and get back to the game’s roots."

“10 Golf-Related Instagram Accounts to Follow in 2017"

from GolfWRX.com

3 January 2017

“A young course architect out of Cornell (like the great Tom Doak before him), Brett Hochstein has already racked up an impressive resume. If you appreciate course design and architecture, this account is right up your alley."

“Multimedia, Multitalented - An Interview with Architect Brett Hochstein"

from Geeked on Golf

3 December 2015

“A very big (too big in my opinion) part of this business is sales and the ability to engage a client with a story about what their course can be.  That ability to sell, though, does not necessarily correlate with the ability to deliver a great golf course.  The intentions of most sales pitches are honest, but it takes full commitment and passion to execute it.  If you don’t do the work yourself or have the proper talent in place, the work is doomed to fail or disappoint.  Success is as much in the details as in the big picture, and it is easy to see that if you just do some research on previous projects.

True quality work is not hard to come by and doesn’t necessarily cost more, just as I’ve seen firsthand at places like The Schoolhouse Nine, Dismal River, or a number of projects that have succeeded by making sound design moves sympathetic to the surrounds as opposed to engineering a grand lush landscape set amongst cart paths.  It’s a funny paradox these days where it seems the best work is done the most cheaply, and in a lot of cases it isn’t just the quality of land."

“Sallandsche bunker renovation on course to be completed before Christmas"

from Golf Course Architecture

26 November 2014

“The Sallandsche course is located close to the city of Deventer in the eastern part of the country, and first opened as a nine-hole course in 1934, designed by Frank Spalding. A further nine holes were added in 1989, this time designed by architect Frank Pennink. 

The latest project began in September this year, and GCA spoke with Brett Hochstein, owner of the Hochstein Design firm, to discuss the latest enhancements at Sallandsche, working in Europe, and collaborating with Frank Pont."

“Work begins on new nine-hole ‘throwback’ course in Virginia"

from Golf Course Architecture

28 July 2014

“Located just outside the Shenandoah National Park approximately an hour and a half from Washington D.C, the course has been described as a ‘big throwback’ by Brett Hochstein, who is working in a shaping and finishing capacity on the project. 

In an interview with GCA, Hochstein explained the thinking and approach behind the Schoolhouse 9, as the course will be named, and his collaboration with principal architect Michael McCartin of McCartin Golf Design on the project..."

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