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Tom Doak's Worst Holes - Barbeque the "Sacred Cow"

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Mark_F:
Worst holes compared to what?

It would seem a little pointless to BBQ newer courses.  Surely they are still marinating, and Doak and Co. will season some of them differently in the next few years?

Even 8 at Barnbougle and 13 at St Andrews Beach are only bad holes if you don't like Lentil Burgers.

Tommy_Naccarato:
Chris,
 Don't worry, I'll hunt you down like the dog you are and find you! Nomater if it means crossing an ocean or two!

As far as Mr. Doak's Famous BBQ Dead Duck (the 10th at Apache Stronghold) I'll say that I think it is a severely misunderstood hole by many.

I also think it's exceptional, just like the other 17 holes that compliment it. From the serpintine bunker that leads up the middle creating all kinds of defined avenues of play, it was interesting to see how that hole made me want to try a different route everytime. I felt an instant infinity to this golf hole all the way to the reverse punch bowl green. I have yet to see another green in golf that is similar to it, but that's whe you get when your at Apache Stronghold, warts and all.

So, is it a sacred cow?

I can only hope so!

By far, and I haven't seen the hole grassed or remotely close to finish, his Worst BBQ'ed Sacred Cow is #8 at Seboneck. But all of you knew that going in!
 

Kevin Pallier:
After posting on what I view are his best holes - here are what I percieve to be Doaks's lesser holes.

St. Andrews Beach:
P4 13th - the drop off to the left on the drive is too penal IMO especially on such a long P4.
P4 15th - lacks any real definition. Is bunkerless and certainly lacks character - I got the impression it was 'just a hole' to get one to the tee at 16. Compared to the quality of the rest of the course the hole is a disappointment.

Barnbougle Dunes:
The lack of any strong P5's are the only critisisms I could make on a great course but not to an extent that they detract too much from it's overall appeal.

Matt_Sullivan:
18 at Barnbougle

Have recorded my thoughts here before on this hole. Long, into the prevailing wind, blind drive up a pretty steep hill. Green is nice but not good enough to make up for what is a disappointing finish, particularly after the thrills and spills of 15 and 17

Anthony Butler:
Heathland in Myrtle Beach:

Both 15 & 16.

Either into the wind or against it 15 is an infuriating hole (and not in a good way). You can attempt to drive the hole with the wind, but Tom has conveniently forgotten to provide any spot where a ball any more than 3yds offline can finish where you're not screwed. If you lay up and pitch up the hill the wind will either balloon your ball or send it through the back. It seems as though Tom was attempting to build a hole that held a similar challenge to something else he had seen–on terrain that can't support that level of visual and strategic intrigue. (Initial thought: something like the 14th at NSWGC and a hole NLGA that I saw once but forget the number.)

After playing 15, the split fairway on 16 just comes across as a hole designed by a guy that's trying too hard to make life difficult for your average golfer. It's 460yds from the tips, surely you shouldn't have to hit half a fairway just to guarantee yourself a 200yd approach shot? If Tom had just angled the line of the fairway a little more to the left there would be a full fairway all the way down to the 170yd marker and the drive would represent an effect risk/reward shot.

 A pity because I liked the rest of the course... it probably one of the toughest and longest 6700 yds courses I've played.

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