Shot-Altering Trees on Par 3s

[Tim Bert]

What do you think of par 3 holes with a tree(s) that is directly between tee and green?  What are some examples of holes with this feature?  Feel free to post pictures if you've got them.  I'll throw out two to start the discussion.

13th at Blackwolf Run River course.  If you play this one from the black or blue tee box, then you are faced with the shot in the picture below.  You better be hitting your long iron or hybrid pretty high unless you are confident enough to shape your shot starting over the water on the right.



14th at Ross Creek Landing (Bear Trace in TN.)  This tree only comes into play from the championship tee, which I wasn't playing, but I thought it was worth a picture.  This tree is much closer to the tee than the one at Blackwolf Run.  Playing over 192, this one all but demands that you shape the shot around the tree.  From the other tees, the tree is not a factor.

[Jin Kim]

I think that hole at BWR is a driveable par 4.

[Tim Bert]

There is a very short par 4 with a similar look, but I'm pretty certain the picture above is of the long par 3.  I matched up my personal photo with the one on their web site before I posted it because I get the two holes confused sometimes.

[Jordan Wall]

Kayak Point, a local Arnold Palmer design, has one with a tree in the middle of where you wanna hit your shot.

[Tim Bert]

Do you have a photo of that hole from the tees on the left?  The drawing is hard to gauge, but it looks as if the tree might not be right in the line of the green but rather to the right of the back tee creating a narrow chute to the green.  It almost appears as if it would only require you to work the shot if the pin were located in the extreme right position.

[Jordan Wall]

Do you have a photo of that hole from the tees on the left?  The drawing is hard to gauge, but it looks as if the tree might not be right in the line of the green but rather to the right of the back tee creating a narrow chute to the green.  It almost appears as if it would only require you to work the shot if the pin were located in the extreme right position.

Unfortunately I have no photo and cannot find one online.

But, believe it or not the tree is a huge nuisance and really really affects your shot.  You have to go under the limbs too, which is real hard!!

I bet some other GCA folk that have played the course can chime in about the hole too...

[Doug Siebert]

I know a lot of people will dismiss it out of hand, but given how technology has reduced the effectiveness of traditional hazards somewhat, having an "air trap" is a semi-legitimate response.

The problem is, what happens when the tree dies?  If the tree really is central to the hole's strategy, then it becomes much less once the tree is dead.  Replanting would take decades to get it back to what it was if was of any significant size.  You'd have to plant a back up tree for it so you are ready for when it dies (cue someone digging up the link to the "back up tree" thread )

[Craig Van Egmond]

Jordan,

           Ron Frehm (spelling?) designed Kayak Point golf course, the Arnold Palmer group manages the course.   That tree can be a real pain in the butt.

Kayak has some of the nicest poa greens to putt on, always seems wet though and several holes where trees impact your shot. Here's #10

http://www2.cybergolf.com/sites/images/325/10hole.jpg

[mike_malone]

 We had a tree on the right side of #16 green at Rolling Green. It wasn't a problem when the hole originally played as 130 yards. But, as it grew over seventy years and we moved the tee back to 150 it covered up part of the right side of the green  and the dramatic falloff to the right of the green.

   When we went back another few yards for a new tee last year it came down. Now that right side is intimidating.

    More distance needs more width.

[Dan Herrmann]

RB's #16 plays like a new hole without those trees.

To me, blocking trees on a par 3 are usually goofy.

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

Innis Arden Golf Club, Greenwich, CT - #7
and a 130 yard hole at Mill Valley Muni in California (A classic!!!)

are two holes that immediately come to mind.

The par 3 at Mill Valley calls to mind most tee shots at Sahalee, and they can tuck the pin behind either goal post.  try cutting a 9/pw 20 yards!

JWK

[ChipOat]

A Stupid Tree on purpose FROM A TEE BOX??

Give me a break.