How many here consider the use of blindness and OPTIONAL carries over ridges hazards?
Let me explain:
At Engineers there are several holes, namely 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 17 where centerline ridges create blindness on either/ both tee shots and approaches. These ridges both restrict vision and thwart distance if not carried.
For me, these ridges are half shot hazards because if carried you catch speed slots and gain significant distance but if not you are blind and much further back. This is most dramatic off the tee on 8 but also a significant factor off the tee on 2, the layup on the par 5 4th; off the tee on 5 and on the layup on the 5 par 10th.
On 6 the first ridge doesn't impact distance but the second ridge is like Billy Smith in the Stanely Cup finals, stopping everything thrown at it and leaving a blind approach. Likewise the ridge on 17 impacts only vision as it is carried for the average length player, however, the backside of the ridge influences greatly the approach as it is often from a hook lie. It's still strategic b/c the right side (high point of ridge) is quite flat, but close to lost ball land to the right while the left side is wide open but an assured hook lie.
So, all this being said, are centerline ridges creating blindness, impeding distance and impacting lie hazards?
I have to say a loud YES and perhaps the best use of centerline hazards in golf as they combine heroic and stategic elements, but at the same time, permit exciting recovery from the fairway if the heroic carry shots are not pulled off.
The ridges are strategic in that flatter lies are found by laying up short of them and often severe uphill lies with shorter approaches if they are not carried. A player may still opt to play are far up the ridge as possible to gain distance for lie. Obviously the heroic element is in the carry attempt.
Thoughts . . . and what are other designs that utilitze centerline ridges in similar ways?