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

[Jim_Coleman]

   Not a huge fan of the back nine of Stonewall #1.  Not fond of short par fours to downhill greens off downhill lies. (Although I do like Merion's #8; I don't like Cricket's #14). So #'s 12 and 14 at Stonewall aren't my favorites, let alone two in three holes (which, if memory serves me, pretty much go in the same direction).  And the tee shots (indeed the holes) at #'s 13 and 16 are pretty much the same too - longish, uphill, blind, then down, and also (I think) pretty much in the same direction.  #17 almost seems like an afterthought.  Did Tom turn the course over to Jack May only to be told there were 17 holes, then throw in #17 to complete the course?  Not nearly as bad as the dropkick at Inniscrone, but nothing is.
     Like the front nine much more.  No repitition, great variety, much interest.  But please, to my few friends at Stonewall, invite me back.  Indeed, I'm a little afraid to post this.  But here goes.

[JohnV]

I've played Pacfic, Apache and Stone Eagle.  In general I've loved all of them.

My least favorite hole is probably the par 5 #16 at Apache.  It has been a few years, but as I recall, the fairway landing area was way too small.   It is the one green that I can't remember there either, which just might be my fault.  Something about the hole didn't sit well with me in any of the 4 rounds I've played there.  I seem to recall thinking that it would be better if there was an alternate fairway across the hazard that a bigger hitter could go for.

At first I wasn't a great fan of #17 either as the green seemed too severe for that long a par 3, but it grew on me.

As for Pacific, there is no hole there that I don't like.  I suppose 12 could be considered the blandest hole, but it is still interesting to me.  As for 16, I've layed up and I've driven the green and I liked it either way.

At Stone Eagle, I guess I'd go with 5 as it seemed too severly uphill and the green too hard to get a view of, but I never hit a good tee shot there so I might change my mind if I was further up the fairway.  I wasn't real thrilled when my "perfect" tee shot on #14 went into the hazard, but once I realized it was there, I enjoyed it with a 4-wood off the tee.

[Andrew Thomson]

16 on the Gunnamatta St. Andrews Beach.

6,11 & 18 Cape Kidnappers

[Peter Pratt]

I've played High Pointe, Black Forest, and Pacific Dunes. I actually like the 18th at HP. The farther left you hit your drive in the fairway, the easier the 2nd shot. If you're long on the tee shot, you must play out. The second shot after a good drive gives you a shot at the green and, if you don't go for the green, you have to gauge the layup carefully, which too many par 5s don't force you to do.

Least favorite holes: #15 at High Pointe--the drop shot isn't terribly compelling. #12 at Pac Dunes--not a bad hole, but to me a much less interesting version of #3.

[rgkeller]

The fifth at Garden City

[Tom_Doak]

Andrew:  What don't you like about any of those holes at Cape Kidnappers?

[Chris Burgard]

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!
 

Mr. Naccarato,

You don't have to cross an ocean...but will need your passport!

Given that you didn't name AS #10 in you top Doak holes, I think I'm probably safe for now.

I did like the green site on 10 and loved AS overall, but 10 was the hole I liked the least.

Chris

[Chris Burgard]

I've played Pacfic, Apache and Stone Eagle.  In general I've loved all of them.

My least favorite hole is probably the par 5 #16 at Apache.  It has been a few years, but as I recall, the fairway landing area was way too small.   It is the one green that I can't remember there either, which just might be my fault.  Something about the hole didn't sit well with me in any of the 4 rounds I've played there.  I seem to recall thinking that it would be better if there was an alternate fairway across the hazard that a bigger hitter could go for.

At first I wasn't a great fan of #17 either as the green seemed too severe for that long a par 3, but it grew on me.

John,

Glad to hear that AS #17 grew on you.

I thought that it was a terrific par 3...despite the fact that I flushed a 3-wood and was left with a nearly impossible 2-putt for par.

Chris