Reachable Par 4

[Jeff Goldman]

I haven't said much about the proposed work on the South Course at Olympia Fields, but there 2 short par-4s which will be pretty much restored (with one possible addition).  The first, which is the 11th hole and about 315 yards, has a big tree on the right side of the fairway, and a creek crosses the fairway about 250-260 from the tee.  Aerial photos show that there was lots of fairway on both sides of the tree, and there is a lot of green space to be recaptured in the back and especially back left of the green.  The right side of the green is a sort of reverse-redan/punchbowl, so if you want to get to the left side hole location, you might prefer to be on the right of the tree.  So, the idea is to restore both the "double" fairway and the green, giving a pile of options.  If you try to drive the green and end up on the wrong side, getting a par might be interesting.  Or, you can get razzed by laying up to the better side of the tree.  For us schleppers, Now we just hit one out to the left of the tree and have a fun wedge or 9-iron.  After the work, it will be big fun choosing a side.  And by the way, the tree is a little close, and on its last legs, so consideration is being given to extending the tree farther down the fairway and closer to the creek by putting a bunker dead center of the fairway in line with the tree.

The other hole is the 16th.  Now there is an elevated tee and the yardage is about 365, uphill (and the ball will roll down 30 feet if you don't make it, though it's only 170 or so to the top).  Originally, the tee was closer to the hill and the shot completely blind.  Also, there was a bunker about 10-15 yards short of the green on the left, and the ground slopes downhill and left toward that area.  About 40% of the green is a huge false front, and the rest slopes bigtime to the left.  The idea here is to put the tee back down in front of the hill, restore the bunker and play it 320-340.  

Again, a big pile of options.  Better players can try to drive it, and avoid the bunker, but if they end up on the right side close to the green, good luck keeping the ball on the green, which runs away from you.  If you try to skirt the bunker, you can make 3 (or even 2) if you pull it off, but roll it in the bunker and you'll have an interesting shot.  Or they can resist the impulse and play safe, and be left with a bunch of choices from 80-100 yards out.  For us schleppers, we can safely pitch it up to 140-120 yards safely in front of the bunker, and have a difficult shot to the green, or try to get closer so we can play an easier run up shot, but...

Both sound like a ton of fun, but we'll see.

Jeff Goldman

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Reachable par 4?  There comes a time when you look forward to a reachable par 3.  Just have patience.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

More seriously, I think the 12th and 18th on the Old Course at St Andrews showed just how valuable short par 4s can be in determining the outcome of major championships.  Almost everyone in the field can now drive the 18th, even Ollie.  But place the pin on the right and who can get near it?  Similarly the last day position for the flag on the 12th.  On both holes, because he had a lead - not much of a lead, but a lead all the same - Tiger was able to play moderately conservatively (and I don't take an iota away from him for his conservative play which is magnificent).  

Last day pin positions on both holes were achievable in par but required terrific golf to achieve a birdie or phenomenal accuracy, bravery or outrageous luck to bring an eagle.  Nodody challenging managed that and I rather think that both holes played a significant part in the outcome of the 2005 Open Championship.

[archie_struthers]

Mike Nuzzo,

Sorry for the delay in replying. I think that the last couple of decades brought some bad short holes, forced into a routing to accomplish a formulaic design. Not my cup of tea.

This being said golf ought to be fun, and the possibility of going for it, whether it be a four or five par, can be a hoot.
I think what you find in many of these risk/reward holes is accomplished by surrounding the green with water (ala the Belfry) or building an elephant burial ground green. I guess my favorites have a subtlety to them, like #12 at Pine Valley, which looks easy and can play hard.