Interview With Arthur Hills

Below is an interview with Arthur Hills an American golf course designer who achieved a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University. He has designed more than 180 new golf courses, including private, resort, upscale, and public golf courses around the world.

The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

Can you provide our readers with a brief bio.
Founder of Hills & Forrest International Golf Course Architects
Graduate of Michigan State University and the University of Michigan
Golf course architect since 1965, 225+ new course designs and 125 renovations


When did you start golfing and who introduced you do the game?
I grew up close to Ottawa Park Golf Course, a city owned course in Toledo, Ohio. Began playing there at age 8 or 9. Parents played a little. I used their older clubs.

What is your current home course?
Inverness Club, Toledo, OH

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment on the course or in the industry?
Creating courses which players enjoy.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
On the course - large greens.
Off the course - politicans in D.C. and elsewhere, their failure to promote sound policies.

What is your favorite club in the bag and why?
Wedge - I do best with it.

What is your favorite golf destination?
St. Andrews, Scotland - fun to play.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
I have played them all, except in Australia, the good ones, that is.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
St. Andrews

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
Keep the ball from making some old courses from being almost obsolete.

Dream foursome (living)?
My friends

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
My friends

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Long drive, because I occasionally make a long putt.

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Round of life, I've had three holes-in-one.

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Crack of dawn

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Either

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Halfway house

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Tuna sandwich or fruit

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Sand

9) Walking OR riding?
Walking!

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
Hybrid

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Long par 3

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Shorts

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Either

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Elvis

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Both

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Both

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Depends

18) 18 holes OR 36?
18 holes