Doak on designing for pro game: 'it's a little bit getting inside their heads'

The architect of this week's ASI Scottish Open on The Renaissance Club, golf culture in Scotland and more
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Tom Doak on his Renaissance Club course design

This week's ASI Scottish Open is in one of the country's historic nooks, but the event is at one of its newest courses. The Renaissance Club, designed by American Tom Doak and located right next to Muirfield, is hosting the European Tour event this week.

He joined Rich Lerner and discussed a variety of topics, from the Renaissance Club and beyond. He was asked about the differences between designing for pros versus resort or member clubs. View the full interview in the video above. Catch the rest of the ASI Scottish Open on Golf Channel (view air times).

"It's a little bit about getting inside their heads," said Doak. "Because anything else that you do, if you make it narrow, that punishes the average player or the member a lot more than the players on Tour. So you want to do things that make them think and make them play a little safe."

Lerner also asks Doak his thoughts on the approach to golf in Scotland versus the U.S., what he learned from Pete Dye, his favorite courses in the world and his upcoming project in Ireland.

This won't be the last time the pros take on a Doak design. He's currently renovating Memorial Park in Houston (with player consultant Brooks Koepka), which is expected to host the 2020 Houston Open on the PGA Tour.

Browse golf courses designed by Tom Doak and read golfer's ratings and reviews
Of all the ultimate itineraries we’ve put together, none is as exhilarating and rewarding for a true golf lover as our trip to Scotland. Scotland is the Home of Golf, where the game has been played for five centuries and where it is woven into the very fabric of life. Those who make a pilgrimage to Scotland achieve a spirit of unity with all golfers who have ever trod the links.

Brandon Tucker is the Sr. Managing Editor for GolfPass and was the founding editor of Golf Advisor in 2014, he was the managing editor for Golf Channel Digital's Courses & Travel. To date, his golf travels have taken him to over two dozen countries and nearly 600 golf courses worldwide. While he's played some of the most prestigious courses in the world, Tucker's favorite way to play the game is on a great muni in under three hours. Follow Brandon on Twitter at @BrandonTucker and on Instagram at @btuck34.
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Looking forward to Tom Doak's Scottish influence on his new course coming to Sand Valley in Wisconsin!

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Doak on designing for pro game: 'it's a little bit getting inside their heads'