Kyle-
I think, in addition to those aforementioned at The Black, we might be able to apply the same to the 9th hole.
When we looked at the tee location in August
, it's a hell of a drive just to get it to the fairway, and I don't think takes into account the hole's architecture very well-
I'm not sure it's the best tee to play from. I always looked at the 9th as a shorter hole, not necessarily an easier one, before one walked to the first half of the back nine, holes 10-13, which are all ballbreakers.
I always viewed the optimal play on this hole as, standing on the tee box, hit a draw with driver or fairway wood around the corner, starting the ball at a specific group of trees on the right side of the fairway, curving it R-L. Carry the severe swale in the fairway, and have a flattish lie, as it's an aerial shot that is needed for the approach.
Now, it appears that one needs a hell of a blast just to reach the swale in the fairway-which is going to be no picnic hitting an approach from.